Basketball: Kiwi Steven Adams welcomed to Houston Rockets by former Memphis Grizzlies teammate Dillon Brooks

Kiwi centre Steven Adams already has a fan at the next stopover of his NBA career, after his trade from Memphis Grizzlies to Houston Rockets.

Sidelined this season after knee surgery, Adams, 30, was sent to the Rockets in return for another injured player - guard Victor Oladipo - and two second-round draft picks in a transaction that had more to do with financials than improving either team this season.

While the Grizzlies seem doomed for the draft lottery, after a season-ending injury to superstar guard Ja Morant, Houston are one of the league's big improvers, adding key veterans to the young roster that finished 22-60 in 2022/23.

They have already won more games halfway through the current season. 

One of those veterans is forward Dillon Brooks, whose contract was not extended by Memphis at the end of last season and whose abrasive defensive style has added starch to the Rockets.

The moment he heard of Adams' trade - before it had been finalised - Brooks messaged the Kiwi with glad tidings.

"He's a great teammate, great friend," Brooks told the Houston Chronicle. "He has a lot of knowledge on life and on basketball - I can't wait for him to get down here.

"He was super-excited. I told him Houston is a great place, he'll love it."

Adams and Brooks have different approaches to basketball - one physically intimidates rivals with his physical strength, while the other antagonises opponents with his trashtalking.

Brooks has made enemies with his disrespect towards many of the game's best players, as he attempts to get under their skins, perhaps one of the reasons he was cut loose by the Grizzlies.

More to come

Kiwi centre Steven Adams already has a fan at the next stopover of his NBA career, after his trade from Memphis Grizzlies to Houston Rockets.

Sidelined this season after knee surgery, Adams, 30, was sent to the Rockets in return for another injured player - guard Victor Oladipo - and two second-round draft picks in a transaction that had more to do with financials than improving either team this season.

While the Grizzlies seem doomed for the draft lottery, after a season-ending injury to superstar guard Ja Morant, Houston are one of the league's big improvers, adding key veterans to the young roster that finished 22-60 in 2022/23.

They have already won more games halfway through the current season. 

One of those veterans is forward Dillon Brooks, whose contract was not extended by Memphis at the end of last season and whose abrasive defensive style has added starch to the Rockets.

The moment he heard of Adams' trade - before it had been finalised - Brooks messaged the Kiwi with glad tidings.

"He's a great teammate, great friend," Brooks told the Houston Chronicle. "He has a lot of knowledge on life and on basketball - I can't wait for him to get down here.

"He was super-excited. I told him Houston is a great place, he'll love it."

Adams and Brooks have different approaches to basketball - one physically intimidates rivals with his physical strength, while the other antagonises opponents with his trashtalking.

Brooks has made enemies with his disrespect towards many of the game's best players, as he attempts to get under their skins, perhaps one of the reasons he was cut loose by the Grizzlies.

More to come

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