The Rockets still missed the playoffs this year, and ended up in 11th place in the West, unfortunately missing out on the play-offs. Many fans questioned the management, believing that during this year's deadline, the Rockets did not do anything except trade center Steven Adams from the Grizzlies, which directly led to the Rockets' lack of strength in the closing stage, after all, Steven Adams had already confirmed the reimbursement of the season.
However, anyone with a discerning eye knows that the goal of the Rockets this season is not to go all out to impact the record, but to let the young players grow steadily and gradually build their own system. And Rockets general manager Rafael Stone, in an interview, also strongly supported 30-year-old center Steven Adams, obviously even after more than a year of injury, Steven Adams is still expected to be high, if he recovers well, he is likely to become the number one substitute behind Alperen Shenjing, further strengthening the Rockets' interior strength and depth.
In the eyes of management, the coaching staff and fans, Steven Adams could give the Rockets a trio of advantages as long as he recovers. First of all, he has a strong rebounding ability, which has been evident since his time with the Thunder, Steven Adams rarely takes backcourt rebounds, and he will concede to Russell Westbrook, who will directly launch a quick counterattack. But Steven Adams' exaggerated number of rebounds in the front court gives his team plenty of second-chance offensive opportunities, and if he plays alongside Tari Eason and appears in the second team, it would be one of the sharpest weapons out there.
Secondly, Steven Adams can be called a rim gate, it is true that he was out for a year due to injury, but Steven Adams is originally a squatting center, not so dependent on physical fitness and athleticism, there will be no cliff decline. Then with his awareness, confrontation and height, Steven Adams can effectively reduce the opponent's shooting percentage by squatting under the basket. What's more, when the Rockets are fully healthy, Steven Adams will play less than 20 minutes, and the encounters are basically opposing bench players, and the intensity is generally not so great.
Finally, Steven Adams is in his prime as a professional footballer, providing consistency and experience. Steven Adams has been the starting center of the Thunder for a long time, and has followed the team to the Western Conference Finals, even during his time with the Grizzlies, he also helped the team to rank second in the West.