Veteran center Steven Adams missed about half of the 2022/23 season with a knee injury. That same injury kept him on the shelf for the entire ’23/24 campaign. After a 21-month absence, Adams returned to action in late October.
The Rockets brought Adams along slowly to open ’24/25, frequently giving him extra rest days and limiting his playing time. He wound up making 58 regular season appearances and averaging a career-low 13.7 minutes per game.
While his production looked fairly modest on the surface — he averaged 3.9 points and 5.6 rebounds — Adams quietly posted the best offensive rebounding percentage of his career. He was also second in the team in net rating differential, only trailing All-Star center Alperen Sengun.
That trend has carried over to the postseason as well — Adams has been terrific in the Rockets’ first-round series with Golden State. The Rockets are plus-53 in Adams’ 129 playoff minutes and are minus-38 in the 159 minutes he’s been on the bench. The two-big pairing of Adams and Sengun has been particularly effective against the Warriors, Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports notes (via Twitter).
Adams wound up playing a season-high 31 minutes in Friday’s Game 6 victory in San Francisco, recording 17 points, five rebounds, one steal and three blocks. After falling in a 3-1 hole, the Rockets have now evened the series at three games apiece heading into Sunday’s Game 7.
“Adams was fantastic tonight,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said after the game, per Matt Young of The Houston Chronicle. “He’s having a great impact,” added Warriors forward/center Draymond Green.
Adams, 31, is playing on expiring $12.6MM contract and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Here’s more on the Rockets:
- Head coach Ime Udoka has befuddled the Warriors by deploying a variety of zone defenses over the past two games, with Adams often used as the anchor, writes Kelly Iko of The Athletic. That was particularly true of yesterday’s fourth quarter, when Golden State only managed one field goal over an eight-minute stretch to open the final period. “Just attention to detail,” Fred VanVleet said. “Trying to find the shooters. We’ve been experimenting with some things in the zone and having the bigs on the back line, and then just morphing and flying around. Half the time, we don’t even know what the hell we’re doing out there. I’m sure it’s hard to game plan against but just flying around, having effort, being physical. We know the guys that we want to limit their touches and shots, make it tough on them.”
- Former All-Star guard VanVleet had arguably his best performance of the series in Game 6, scoring an extremely efficient 29 points to go along with eight rebounds and eight assists in 40 minutes. As Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle details, VanVleet had no idea the Rockets would be in this position when he signed with Houston a couple years ago. “You always dream of the moment, the best moment possible, and rising to the occasion and building up a team,” VanVleet said. “But I think first and foremost, it was hard to see that part when I first got there, first practice and first training camp. We just had so much work to do. But it’s just a testament to these young guys and how far they’ve come in such a short amount of time. I can bark all day. Ime can bark all day. It’s not gonna matter if these guys didn’t put the work in, if they weren’t hungry, if they weren’t selfless, they weren’t confident, they weren’t talented. So I mean, they get all the credit in the world. They’re making me look good.“
- Assistant coach Will Dunn made it clear that VanVleet has been critical to Houston’s rise over the past two seasons — the coaching staff refers to him as “The General” due to his position and the way in which he motivates himself and teammates, according to Lerner. “He has the best pulse on our team. He knows exactly what our team needs to hear,” Dunn said. “He’s had huge moments and huge series. He’s not scared of the moment. Every single chance when he has a chance to take a big shot, he’s gonna step into it and shoot like he’s gonna make it.”
Reading about Adams makes me think of Andrew Wiseman. It basically took Adams two seasons to come back from a knee injury. And he was already an established Center. Wiseman, who had no college, also had a knee injury. That set his development back. People keep calling him a bust. If I were a GM, I would definitely look at him for a two-way contract. Give him time in the GLeague to get those minutes that he needs.
Do you mean James Wiseman?
Look at Wiseman stats vs IHart before he got to OKC. His are a bit better. Yet gets looked at as a failure. He needed help his first two yrs. The guy didn’t even play college ball. GS failed him cause they wanted another run. Same thing going on now with Kuminga. I wish Thibs would get Wiseman and help him. Like he’s helped all our bigs. Wiseman can easily be better than Mitch. Thats is a nice Center.
I hope Knicks pounce at the opportunity and get Kuminga for cheap.
Your ignorance of the Warriors is showing Al. The Warriors weren’t looking for another title. And, they were willing to do more for Wiseman than Thibs could do. Kuminga’s problem is more in his head. The would never have traded for Butler if he played like he did last year. How do you fit in a guy who isn’t shooting?
The whole world knows Warriors failed Wiseman. They got Payton back for him. A guy they let walk. They needed him first depth and D. One day you will learn I don’t put my two cents in unless I know exactly what Im saying. There is no better coach for bigs than Thibs. If you knew the game. You’d know that. This is about Wiseman not Kuminga. I have been saying this. Since he was a rookie like you.
That boy Al!
You usually right at educating these clowns, but remember I schooled ya ass on Dinwiddie.
Wiseman isn’t eligible for a two way contract. Plus he sucks.
How to beat Steve Kerr: go big. Play your best and tallest players. Simple.
Did Lacob ever think it was wise to continue Kerr’s tenure when he will always give the opps an easy way to beat him? Buddy Hield should have been DNP’d the last 2 months, not f’ing starting in the playoffs….god, Kerr is so dumb…
Warriors lost nbeacuse of 3 reasons. 1. Starting Buddy over Moody. 2. Playing Curry and Butler too many minutes. They were tired the 4th quarter. 3. shooting too many 3s instead of attacking the basket.
4. Having no counter for Adams+Sengun+Amen – GSW cannot go small vs those 3 and Kerr has no plans other than going small
5. Starting GP2 and playing him as if he is a top 5 player on the team when he only works in short bursts and stinks if you put him in big moments
If we blow another 3-1 lead, Kerr HAS to go. He is SO bad at his job. Ever notice how no one says “Kerr blew a 3-1 lead” when it was 100% his fault? I cannot stand the amount of excuses Kerr always gets. Same goes for Wiggins. Dub Nation homers are not good at basketball analytics. Wiggins stinks, GP2 stinks, Looney stinks and Kerr stinks the MOST.
Kuminga for Bam fixes this issue though. GSW should make that trade.
Every player is going to Warriors one day ….
This is exactly how Heat and Lakers fans operated back in the day. Only difference is Miami is screwed in cap hell. Remember they also thought PG13 was coming? Lmao
Lol. Argh man. Aim high they say. Kuminga in a sign trade mostly for cap space and a drink bottle to sweaten the pot. Bam would be fantastic with Steph, Luka, Giannis, Jokic and Jimmy next season. Strength in numbers.
Move Adams out from under the basket by having is player be guarded away from the basket. Segun is not a top defender and fouls a lot so drive at him all the time. GP2 should start against FVV because you need defense. Stop the hack a mole on Adams. I have always hated that type of defense that rarely works out.
Great point. I also think Bam Adebayo permanently fixes this issue for GSW, even though he is under 7 foot, he’s an elite defender.
They’re playing a zone.
Yup, the zone is totally dictating the pace of play. When GSW plays free and easy and get loose, they win. The zone chokes that out. Kerr has no counter other than “play GP2”, because he stinks at his job.
The Bay area is stinky lol …… pew
I’ve come to the conclusion that Davey and Aristotle are the same person. They both hate Steve Kerr…By the way, Gregg Poppovich thinks Kerr is a great coach…I guess Davey knows more than Pop…And, they are hung up on analytics. Analytics are only tool. They are bad for decision making in sports. Baseball has proven that. Baseball was using analytics long before any other sport.
That entire 4th quarter was atrocious. The lack of size for GSW showed out. The defensive breakdowns by everyone allowing dribble penetration and setting up easy back door cuts and dunks. The stupidity of passing up wide open layup after layup and settling for contested 3’s (Butler, and Curry). Neither played a good 4th quarter and it showed. It was a meltdown and it don’t understand the philosophy of turning down layups for 3’s when you weren’t making anything to begin with. Houston has found their mojo and GSW is looking for answers.
Whenever the warriors get 3 point shot happy they seem to always lose. Curry played way too many minutes lately looking tired. I do not get the play into Houston defense plans works when Udoka is guarding the 3 pt line and not drive in for easy lay ups. Kerr gets stubborn and plays his put everything on Curry’s shoulder offense. Buddy had 1 good game and Kerr changes the starting lineup. Why go away from what was working??
They need to stop going small versus Adams. I think Curry GP2 JB Draymond and Looney need to finish the game. This isn’t 2015 and you have a great shooting team. I would put GP2 on FVV like you previously mentioned and then use Green as a wedge between the middle of the court to help Looney on Sengun and ability to switch all the ball screens for FVV. Defense needs to tighten up tomorrow night, remember this Houston offense is pretty bad and any easy baskets will increase their confidence and momentum. Refs will dictate the flow tomorrow. First 5-7 mins of first quarter will show the way they’ll be calling the game. I had warriors originally but they are beating themselves in the fourth more than Houston taking control. Best available shot against a GREAT defensive team will be the difference.
Live by the sword you die by the sword. Rockets were 35/78 FG 44.9%. 3pt 12/30, 40%
Warriors 37/90 FG 41.1%. 3pt 15/49, 30.6%
It’s what will always happen to a team that depends on shooters. Bad and good team D will win out especially in playoffs most times. Best shooting teams are at 50% FG. A good defensive team is at good D 80% of the time. Effort on D is 100% for a good team. Hot shooting is going to win out at times. But if you play solid D and efficient Offense. The odds are on your side. Playoff Ball
This has been GSW problem all year long being inconsisent shooting the 3 ball. Last 2 games they have been Horrible shooting 3s.
This is good leadership. It’s why they got him. JVV had a great gm 6. I told you before the series. Experience vs young talent. One day that talent is going to grow up. Just like OKC has grown up. Rockets are doing it right in front of our eyes. Warriors pushed them. That’s how it happens. I’m a true basketball fan. So I love seeing this. Not over yet. Gm 7 is still a lesson to be learned. Good series man………
“ But it’s just a testament to these young guys and how far they’ve come in such a short amount of time. I can bark all day. Ime can bark all day. It’s not gonna matter if these guys didn’t put the work in, if they weren’t hungry, if they weren’t selfless, they weren’t confident, they weren’t talented. So I mean, they get all the credit in the world. They’re making me look good.“
Udoka is out caoching Kerr. He saw them struggle with Adams in the middle and now has adjusted to it. He also is smart in seeing Brooks takes the team out of focus and sat him on the bench. Brooks is to focus on starting fights like Green does for the warriors. Game 7 will come down to who can coach better. Will kerr get smart like Udoka and adjust?
Warriors using hack a Shaq on Adams was pathetic and reeked of desperation. They basically ran out ideas at that point.
A big game Curry is the only way Warriors can win this. I don’t have faith in anyone else.
Play Looney. Give Jackson Davis rotation minutes. Pat Spencer has shown he is ready to battle.
Send Kuminga to the floor in the second quarter.
Kuminga can help in defense, in rebounds and run the floor to tire their bigs. Plus, his athleticism matches up with Thompson’s.
There is no backup point guard, that’s a flaw, it’s somewhat unacceptable not to have at least a point guard to run a second unit.
Play the second quarter with:
Moody
Pat Spencer
Kuminga
Draymond (half of it at most, save him for the 3rd and 4th).
Jackson Davis
If hield has a day in which he isn’t a liability, put him on the floor.
Jackson Davis, Kuminga’s athleticism and Spencer’s grit, hustle and enthusiasm can reduce the impact of their bigs.
What has Spencer done other than play lacrosse on a basketball court? He’s garbage, no defense at all. Can get you a quick bucket if you are in a scoring drought, but using him more than 5 minutes is a horrible idea.
Kerr plays 5 man SG lineups. Kerr is always why GSW loses. Kerr is a net negative to this team. Forever.
Davey, it’s a game 7, with the season on the line for both teams. 5 minutes in the second quarter can mean a difference, since every minute is really important. They need to preserve Curry, Butler’s and Draymond strength for the end of third and fourth quarter.
Draymond can play more, since he can distribute and exert less physical intensity at times on offense (distributing, leading, facilitating), while putting his 100% on leading the defense, talking, and just being there which is helpful for his team.
Curry and Butler need to be fresh to score and create opportunities on offense (Jimmy also a lockdown D). But they need fresh legs.
The grit, the scrambling for loose balls, that Spencer gives, can infect his team for energy, and that matters a lot, especially in this win or go home games.
Regarding Kuminga and Jackson Davis, they can bring more physicality, Jackson Davis’s rolls to the basket are important, he can attack the glass and draw fouls or score. If he draws a couple of those plays, he.
1_ Can deter some of the interior advantage of Sengun-Adams-Thompson’s lineups.
2_ Open the floor for Hield, Moody and Curry.
If GSW can do that on the second quarter, it would diminish Houston’s advantage in size, also as a psychological factor, and keep the Curry and Butler fresh to play to what they know in the 4th.
If Curry is not physically exhausted, in the 4th, and they are not far off in the score, I would never bet one cent against Steph Curry not now nor never ever
How is Spencer better than Podz? He isn’t. There’s no reason to play anyone but Steph and Podz at PG.
I get a fan base can be over zealous. And truly uninformed. Like when everyone here thought the Center position was dead. Or shooting was going to take over the game. Only not understanding the game of basketball can lead you to those roads. The NBA will always be about size. You can’t teach size. You just have learn to use it. A guy like Adams was thought obsolete. They Edey comes along. Rebounding and rim protection is a big mans game. They can be the best at it. If you help them and let them. Every team can use that.
Who ever said the Center position was dead? You just need more mobility these days.
This is a terrible take. You should know better
Giants74
May 3, 2025
Your ignorance of the Warriors is showing Al. The Warriors weren’t looking for another title. And, they were willing to do more for Wiseman than Thibs could do. Kuminga’s problem is more in his head. The would never have traded for Butler if he played like he did last year. How do you fit in a guy who isn’t shooting?
Problem with cry babies and sore losers. Is they can never look within to find fault to get better. They blame outside criteria. To pacify themselves about their team ………
Wiseman was the 2nd pick in draft. After Ant Man. And many thought if he played college ball. He would have been thefirst pick …….
Yet you want to throw arytge word Ignorance to defend the Warriors treatment if Wiseman ….
To date He Is The Biggest BUST of the 2020 NBA draft …….. you want ignorance cliwn.
You passed on Okongwu, Ball, Obi, Vassel, Haliburton, Anthony, Achiuwa, Maxey, Nesmith, Prichard, McDaniels ……. Must I go to second rd too. Passed and all that then passed on developing Wisenan. I am the last guy you call out.
Thats REAL Ignorance …….
Hey Al. I know you’re still high on Jalen, but watching game 6, other than a couple buckets and a nice swat, I barely noticed he was even there. Amen isn’t a great shooter, but he doesn’t play scared. Tari and Bari, too, their presence is felt. I don’t know what it is about Jalen, but someone’s gotta figure out how to get him right. Talent is there, he’s gotta use it.