Forgotten Kevin Durant effect could help save the Rockets' season

Utah Jazz v Houston Rockets | Alex Slitz/GettyImagesAs the Houston Rockets attempt to cope with the loss of starting point guard Fred VanVleet this season, emerging young wing Amen Thompson will be asked to take on an entirely new role as a primary offensive facilitator for the team.

However, according to Rockets' analyst Paulo Alves, on the recent episode of the Rockets LaunchPod podcast, the presence of Kevin Durant, and the spacing he provides to their starting lineup, could allow Thompson to unleash the decison-making powers that have emerged in his first two years in the NBA.

In the absence of VanVleet, such a development from Thompson would be massive for Houston's championship hopes,…