James Applauds Durant’s Shot-Making Against Wembanyama
On November 3, LeBron James praised Kevin Durant’s scoring skill after a move against Victor Wembanyama in a game between the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. Durant’s lower shot volume has drawn attention during Houston’s strong start.
LeBron James singled out Kevin Durant’s ability to score over San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, praising a move Durant made in a recent game between the Spurs and Houston Rockets. Speaking on the latest episode of Mind the Game, James described Durant using a series of dribbles, a shot fake and a fadeaway to get a shot off over Wembanyama.
The praise comes as Durant’s role in Houston’s offense has prompted discussion. In the Rockets’ 16-point win over Boston on Monday, Durant played 33 minutes but took only six shots. That was his fourth career game with no more than six attempts. He is averaging 20.8 points this season, below the 25-point mark he reached in every full season after his rookie year.
Houston is 7-1, and the win over Boston showed that other players can contribute heavily. Several teammates—including Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. and Fred VanVleet—have shown they can step up, while Smith scored 30 against Oklahoma City before finishing with 14 against Boston. Durant’s scoring output has not cost the Rockets a game so far, and the team’s results suggest his shot count can vary with what is working in a given matchup.