At a quick glance, it’s safe to say that Kevin Porter Jr. is thriving in Houston. With season averages of 15.2 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game on 41.1% shooting, his numbers are up all across the board from a year ago.
And while many factors, no doubt, play into that fact, a change of scenery could be the biggest influencer of them all.
Taking a rather blunt and unforgiving shot at his former city, Cleveland, Porter called it a blessing that he gets to live hundreds of miles away now.
Kevin Porter Jr says it was a blessing to be traded from Cleveland to Houston. "I've been to Cleveland, so I understand," @SportsMT said.
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) April 30, 2021
It’s no secret that Cleveland isn’t the NBA’s biggest market. Often the city is described as a garbled mess with a mostly dark and unfulfilling sports past.
The Cavs have been no different, having won just one title in its entire existence.
No doubt, going from a place like that to a sports town like Houston (with a booming city and rich basketball lore) must have been a night-and-day difference for Porter.
So, even as the Rockets struggle to win games, it seems players are still keen on being there than in Cleveland. And, when you look at it like that, it’s really no wonder the franchise has had such a hard time recruiting talent over the years.
