So far this season, Houston has had numerous contributors all across their roster. You have the emergence of Amen Thompson and the continued growth of Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. However, when fans and media alike mention key parts of this Houston Rockets team, often an important name is left out. Who’s this key contributor some wonder? Well, the player I am refering to is none other than Houston Rockets center Steven Adams.
Adams was traded to Houston from Memphis on Feburary 2, 2024 for shooting guard Victor Oladipo and three future second round picks. Adams had recently undergone surgery for a torn PCL, and would remained sidelined until October.
For much of the early stages this season, the Adams aquisiton seemed questionable at best, as Adams was unable to play more than one to two games a week. Even when Adams was playing, he was more of a negitave factor to the Rockets than anything. However, In his last 10 games, Adams is averaging 4.0 points (59.1% FG), 7.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 14.0 minutes. The Rockets are 8-2 over that stretch, which has included several wins over good opponents such as the Cleveland Cavaliers (twice), Memphis Grizzlies (twice), Denver Nuggets, and Boston Celtics
There are two games that most stand out from this stretch. Both of these games came against the Cleveland Cavailers. In the first matchup, Adams recorded a season high 11 rebounds, and during the second matchup, Adams scored a season high 14 points. During the second matchup, Cleaveland tried fouling Adams as Adams was shooting sub 40 percent from the line. However, in the nine times Adam was sent to the line, he converted on six of them, and after one of his misses, Cleveland puts two defenders on Adams, which allows Jae’Sean Tate to grab the offensive rebound.
Cavs throw two bodies at the Steven Adams boxout leaving a pocket for Tate to steal the offensive rebound off the missed FT
A four-point possession to go up 13 late in the third quarter
Perfect example of detail that often goes unnoticed but doesn’t happen without Adams pic.twitter.com/lSKLavPQSD
— Steven Adams Stats (@funakistats) January 26, 2025
It is safe to say without Adams, Houston would likely have lost some of these most recent games, which proves his importance to the team. Adams might not be the flashiest, and he might not get a lot of media attention these days (which I’m sure he doesn’t mind), but as the Rockets head towards the post season for the first time in years, the Rockets are going to need Adams at his best. After a slow start to the season, he’s hitting his stride