Steven Adams has an immediate impact on the Rockets

The Houston Rockets began their preparation plan for the 2024-25 season with a road game on Monday night against the Utah Jazz. The Rockets and Jazz struggled to score in the opening minutes as both teams tried to shake off offseason rust.

After a dunk from Amen Thompson, the Rockets began to distance themselves from the Jazz in the first half. They took a double-digit lead at halftime, but the Jazz slowly got back into the game as the Rockets began emptying the bench.

The Rockets played 16 players on Monday night, and the Jazz prevailed with a 122-113 win. Preseason wins don't mean much; It comes down to the performance of the main rotation players, and the Rockets' starters and backups had a good game.

The Rockets had many standout players, from Jalen Green to Cam Whitmore to Alperen Sengun to Amen Thompson, filling out the box list. Another player who didn't appear as often in the box score but still made an impact in his first game was Steven Adams.

Steven Adams did not appear for the Rockets last season after being traded to the Rockets at the trade deadline. Today's game was Adams' first action with the team. Looking at the box score, you might think that Adams wasn't that involved, but look closer and you'll immediately see Adams' impact.

Adams is considered one of the best pick-setters and screen-assist players in the NBA. In the play below, you can see how his effective pick gives Fred VanVleet plenty of room to maneuver and find an open Jalen Green in the corner for the 3-point shot.

Adams' influence isn't just evident in the games. When asked if Adams spoke to players during training, Ime Udoka smiled clearly as he talked about Adams' pep words for his teammates and sometimes trash talk.

If you've watched Udoka with the Rockets for the past year or more, you know he rarely smiles, but he smiled more than once when discussing Adams' influence, especially as a veteran leader. Adams brings toughness and experience to the Rockets' frontcourt, which will pay dividends as the season progresses.

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