What Kevin Durant is thankful for — and how it fuels the Rockets’ historic start

The Houston Rockets are 7-3 for the first time since the 2019-2020 season. They are winning by an average margin of 11 points – their largest margin since the 1994 championship team. But it’s been even longer since the Rockets, or any other NBA team, have dominated the glass like this. Houston’s plus-12.2 rebounding advantage per game is its best through the first 10 games of a season since 1975.

The big reason why? Steven Adams.

The Rockets signed the 6-foot-11 center to a three-year deal this offseason after seeing the impact he had when his minutes increased in the second half of last season. And he was this year even more influential.

Adams is averaging nearly nine rebounds per game while playing less than 22 minutes a night. He was a plus-23 in the first half Wednesday’s win over Washingtondespite only logging eight minutes.

The Rockets, on the back of Adams, are the best rebounding team in the league, to say the least 1.5 more boards per game than any other club. That dominance helped Houston score the third-most points per game (124), despite making the fewest 3-pointers in the league (29.9 per game). Adams ranks third in the league in total offensive rebounds (and first in offensive rebounds per game) while playing the least minutes of the top 24 qualifiers.

Kevin Durant is thrilled to be playing with Adams again after the two spent the first three seasons of Adams’ career (2013-2016) together in Oklahoma City.

“I don’t believe he’s aged that much,” Durant said of his center. “He still plays through the frame like he did when he was young. He’s still physical on the offensive glass, sets great screens, runs screens, gets down low in the pick and roll presentation like a big. Yeah, he probably learned the tricks of the trade to be a pro in the NBA and how to practice, how to get into the game, how to get into the game, how much he still reminds me of the talent level every day. young Stephen 10 years ago And, you know, that’s a testament to his hard work and dedication.

Rockets are also grateful. The multi-year deal for Adams was Houston’s first move of the offseason, 19 days before their next trade. Even before the trade for Durant to spark a reunion.

Adams’ numbers are up from a year ago, but not more so than his free throw percentage. With help from Durantthe career 53% foul shooter is hitting a career-best 79% this season, adding another tool to the New Zealander’s arsenal.

The approach Adams brings is exactly what head coach Ime Udoka and the Rockets are looking for. And his dominance on the glass has helped Houston get off to its best start in years — making their star all the more grateful for the reunion.