Eason’s Breakout Year: The Next Kawhi Leonard in the Making?

The Houston Rockets have been one of the most surprising teams in the Western Conference this season. After missing the playoffs last year, the Rockets currently hold a 12-6 record, placing them third in the highly competitive West. This drastic improvement can largely be attributed to their exceptional defense, ranking among the best in the NBA. However, a key piece of their success this season has been the emergence of Tari Eason, who has quietly become one of the league’s most impactful players on both ends of the floor.

The Rockets’ Defensive Revival

Defense has been the cornerstone of the Rockets’ strong start. Through 18 games, their defensive stats are eye-popping:

• Defensive Rating: 103.7 (2nd in the NBA)
• Rebounds per Game: 50.7 (1st in the NBA)
• Opponent Turnovers Forced per Game: 16.1 (7th in the NBA)
• Steals per Game: 9.2 (7th in the NBA)
• Points off Opponent Turnovers: 21.1 (3rd in the NBA)

Despite not having a traditional superstar, the Rockets have leveraged their defensive discipline and teamwork to outperform expectations, surpassing teams like the Mavericks and Timberwolves, who were Western Conference finalists last season.

Tari Eason: Houston’s Defensive Anchor

Among the Rockets’ defensive standouts, Tari Eason has emerged as the most impactful. In 17 games this season, the 6'8" forward has been a menace on both ends of the floor, averaging 12.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game.

Eason’s 2.2 steals per game rank second in the league, trailing only Dyson Daniels’ 3.2. Moreover, Eason is one of just two players this season averaging at least 2 steals and 1 block per game, the other being Jalen Williams.

Offensive Contributions

While Eason’s defense grabs most of the headlines, his offensive game has also shown significant improvement. Although his 12.3 points per game may not seem overwhelming, it’s important to note that Eason is averaging just 23.0 minutes per game. When extrapolated to per-36-minute stats, Eason’s scoring jumps to 19.3 points per game, demonstrating his ability to produce when given more opportunities.

Eason’s most notable offensive performances this season include:

• Against the Warriors: 35 minutes, 27 points (11-of-19 shooting), 9 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 blocks.
• Against the Bucks: 31 minutes, 9 points, 14 rebounds (career-high), 4 steals, and 3 blocks.

Eason thrives in transition, often capitalizing on his defensive prowess to generate fast-break opportunities. His 3.9 points per game in fast breaks rank 13th in the NBA, and he achieves this efficiency despite averaging fewer minutes than any other player in the top 33 of that category.

Efficiency Gains

Eason’s shooting has also taken a step forward this season. His shooting splits are 53.1% from the field, 35.3% from three, and 72.4% from the free-throw line, culminating in a true shooting percentage of 60.5%—a significant jump from last season’s 52.8%.

While Eason’s offensive skill set is still developing, he excels in chaotic, up-tempo situations. His ability to adapt to both on- and off-ball roles makes him an essential piece in Houston’s offensive schemes, even if his half-court scoring arsenal remains a work in progress.

Defensive Versatility

Eason’s defense is what truly sets him apart. At 6'8" with a 7'2" wingspan, he possesses the physical tools to guard multiple positions. His strength and defensive instincts allow him to match up against elite scorers, from Giannis Antetokounmpo to Victor Wembanyama.

This season, Eason’s defensive impact can be quantified by the following metrics:

• Opponents’ overall shooting percentage drops 4.0% when guarded by Eason.
• Opponents’ three-point percentage decreases by 3.9%.
• Within 10 feet of the basket, opponents’ shooting efficiency plummets from 59.6% to 52.1%.

Eason also ranks among the league leaders in advanced defensive stats:

• Defensive Box Plus-Minus (DBPM): 5.0 (1st in the NBA).
• Net Rating: +14.4 points per 100 possessions when Eason is on the floor, compared to +5.7 when he’s off.

Kawhi Leonard Comparisons

It’s impossible to ignore the comparisons between Eason and Kawhi Leonard. Both players entered the league with similar physical profiles and defensive reputations. Rockets coach Ime Udoka has even referenced Leonard when discussing Eason’s potential, noting their shared qualities of defensive tenacity and understated work ethic.

However, Eason is still in the early stages of his development. By his third season, Leonard was already an NBA Finals MVP and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. In contrast, Eason is just beginning to find his footing as a starter-level player. That said, at only 23 years old, Eason’s ceiling remains incredibly high.

Advanced Metrics Speak Volumes

Eason’s impact extends beyond traditional box score stats. His BPM (Box Plus-Minus) of 7.9 ranks fifth in the NBA, behind only Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Stephen Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. His cumulative +119 plus-minus is ninth in the league, and among the top 10 players in that category, only he and Caris LeVert average fewer than 25 minutes per game.

What’s Next for Eason?

As the Rockets continue their surprising ascent in the West, Eason’s role is bound to grow. Whether he eventually earns a starting spot or continues to dominate as a high-energy reserve, his trajectory points toward a bright future. Many analysts believe Eason has the potential to become a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and if his offensive game continues to evolve, he could be one of the league’s most complete two-way players.

The Rockets’ roster is loaded with young talent, but Eason’s unique blend of defensive versatility and offensive efficiency makes him stand out. It may be early, but the comparisons to Kawhi Leonard don’t seem far-fetched. For now, Rockets fans can sit back and enjoy watching the growth of a player who could very well become the next great two-way star in the NBA.