When the Houston Rockets opened their 2021 season against the Portland Trail Blazers last December, three players were an afterthought for the organization. Armoni Brooks (free-agent) and Kevin Porter Jr. (Cavaliers) were not a part of the team. And due to a violation of the league’s health and safety protocols, Kenyon Martin Jr. was in isolation amid the Rockets’ 128-126 overtime loss to the Blazers.
By the time the Rockets concluded their season in Atlanta, the trio was a silver lining for a team that finished with the league’s worst record at 17-55. After the game, Stephen Silas said he was proud of their mid-season development and campaign for Martin to receive Most Improved Player of the Year honors — given his three-point shooting and defensive improvements.