New Zealand basketball star Steven Adams is making a big comeback in the NBA! After missing 18 months due to a knee injury, the 31-year-old centre is finding his rhythm with the Houston Rockets. Since stepping up as the team’s backup centre in early January, Adams has helped the Rockets win eight of their last nine games.
At first, Adams struggled to get going with his new team, but now he’s making a real impact. In a recent game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, he scored 14 points—his highest in over two years. Just a few days before that, he grabbed a season-best 11 rebounds against the same team. His strength under the basket and smart defensive play have been key in Houston’s winning streak.
Adams says he’s improving because he’s learning how different teams play. “I was just trying to pick my spots,” he said. “Sometimes they went zone, so I would take the gaps.” His ability to read the game and use his size has been a big help to the Rockets.
So far this season, Adams is averaging 4.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game in limited minutes. Sports Illustrated even called him one of the best rebounders and screen-setters in the NBA. Stats also show that when Adams is on the court, the Rockets perform much better.
With Houston currently one of the top teams in the league, Adams’ return to form could help them make a deep playoff run. His comeback is proving that hard work and patience can pay off!
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