Rockets: The key difference between the 2001-02 team and this one

The 2020-21 Houston Rockets’ season

As we all know, this year’s team has the worst record in the league but has some promising talent. In spite of the missed games, Christian Wood has had the best year of his career. and is currently averaging 21.0 points and 9.6 rebounds, which are  which are All-Star numbers in a vacuum.

Undrafted rookie forward Jae’Sean Tate has actually been the Rockets most consistent and reliable player all year. Despite all the different starting lineups, Tate hadn’t missed a game up until this past week.

Tate has shown the ability to not only play excellent defense, but has also displayed some of the best post moves in the league, especially as a rookie. The most encouraging aspect of Tate’s game is his improved 3-point shooting from earlier in the season.

Kevin Porter Jr. was traded to the Rockets for a heavily-protected second-round pick. The guard had not played a game for the Cleveland Cavaliers all season while dealing with off-the-court and locker room issues. Since joining the Rockets from their G-League affiliate Rio Grande Vipers, Porter has shown flashes of brilliance.

In a game vs. the Bucks Porter became the youngest player in history to score 50 points and dish out 11 assists.

Like any 20-year-old player (recently-turned-21), Porter has had his bad games. Porter can tend to let bad plays affect his overall effort, but as he gains more experience he will learn how to quickly bounce back, like all the top players do on a night-in night-out basis.

Another player whose game has grown leaps and bounds is Kenyon Martin Jr., who the Rockets got at the end of last year’s draft. Martin has been a revelation, showing the ability to block any player’s shot, ranging from point guards to even the tallest players in the league.

Next: Then vs. Now