While much of the NBA and almost all of the Rockets’ roster faced the trade deadline with uncertainty and perhaps anxiety about where the day’s deal-making might take them, the Rockets’ Christian Wood could appreciate going from considering giving up the game to becoming a nearly untouchable foundation of his team’s plans.
“That’s crazy that you actually say that,” Wood said. “It’s the first time. It’s a crazy journey. I don’t take this for granted. I’m happy to be here. I go out every game and try to play every game like it’s my last. I give it my all. It’s a great opportunity for anybody in their life.”
Before Wood had to play his way onto the Pistons’ roster in training camp last season, he had considered quitting basketball when he was cut by the Fujian Sturgeons and was told he was not good enough to play in the China Basketball Association. He signed a three-year, $41 million contract with the Rockets in the offseason.
Wood is averaging a career-bests of 21.4 points. 9.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots per game, making 55 percent of his shots.
“A lot of pride,” Wood said. “I don’t think anybody has been through the journey I’ve been through, the ups and the downs, the highs and lows I take a lot of pride just being here, having that resilience, having that chip on my shoulder to not back down from anything.”
The Rockets are Wood’s sixth team in six seasons. There was no chance they would on Thursday make it seven.
“It’s amazing,” Silas said. “There’s so many stories that go the other way about a guy who gets knocked down and kind of stays down. You’re like, ‘Whatever happened to that guy?’ To see his perseverance, especially since I was with him early in Charlotte, the growth that he has had.
“He’s always had that belief in himself. But to kind of see his ability to fight through the adversity regardless of what other people thought about him, he still believed himself. That’s a great thing to see and be a part of for me.”
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March 26, 2021 at 05:52AM
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Rockets’ Christian Wood relishes rise to deadline day ‘Untouchable’ - Houston Chronicle
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