Kevin Durant is looking forward to the Houston Rockets beginning training camp, with the veteran forward emphasizing the importance of having the team healthy after last season ended with a first-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I’m excited for the first day. I mean, it’s taking it a day at a time,” Durant said during the Rockets’ media day on Tuesday. “Excited we get opportunity to get Fred back. Have Steven back healthy. That’s the most important thing, having guys healthy and so they can do what they love to do every day.”

Durant played 78 games during his first season in Houston, averaging 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 52.0% from the field, 41.3% from three-point range and 87.4% from the free-throw line. He earned All-NBA Second Team honors.

Despite being one of the NBA’s most accomplished scorers, Durant said he continues to work on his game every offseason.

“I’m just getting in the gym and showing up at the gym every day,” Durant said. “Whatever comes to mind, my trainers want to work on, I work on. Some days it’s different. Every day is not the same.”

Durant explained that his offseason work is largely focused on refining his offensive game.

“Every time I walk into the gym, it’s just about fine-tuning every part of my game offensively,” he said. “So I’m focusing on how I can fine-tune my offense as much as possible.”

Durant missed most of Houston’s first-round series against the Lakers after suffering a sprained ankle. He said the injuries were simply part of the physical nature of basketball.

“I’m always hungry to play. I mean, it’s unfortunate. The injuries are a part of the game,” Durant said. “I’m excited to get another opportunity to get on this horse and ride on this journey with the team and see what happens.”

The return of Fred VanVleet is particularly important to Durant because of the additional ball-handling and shooting he brings.

“Another ball handler, shooter on the floor that can just help take pressure off everybody,” Durant said. “The more guys that can put pressure scoring the basketball and shooting the basketball, but also can guard up on the other end, is better for our team.”

Durant also believes the playoff experience gained by Houston’s young players will be valuable moving forward.

“The more games and more reps under our belt, the better,” he said. “Another series under young guys’ belts is better as well.”

The Rockets went 52-30 last season but were eliminated by the Lakers in six games. Durant said Houston is not spending time comparing itself with other Western Conference contenders.

“That’s on y’all to do,” Durant said when asked how the Rockets stack up against teams such as the San Antonio Spurs. “We focus on us as much as possible.”

Durant also identified half-court execution as an area where Houston can improve, including his own decision-making when defenses collapse around him.

“Half court offense is definitely one of those things where we can be more patient,” he said. “It’s times where I got three or four bodies around me and I’m not patient enough to find a pass.”

For Durant, the formula heading into his second season in Houston remains straightforward: keep working and allow the results to follow.

“We got to come to work every day and really show up,” Durant said.