Steven Adams has had to "focus on the small wins" during a lengthy rehabilitation process from a knee injury that has seen him miss more than a season in the NBA.
The 31-year-old centre is with the Houston Rockets after a mid-season trade from the Memphis Grizzlies last season.
The New Zealander is yet to play for the Rockets and told media he did not know what impact he would have for his fourth NBA team when the season tips off on 22 October.
Adams initially was trying to avoid having surgery on his right ACL but eventually relented and is in a two-year rehabilitation process.
He has not played a NBA game since January 2023.
Not yet back to full fitness Adams said he was not restricted in how much he would play this season but was being cautious.
"I just have to be smart with gameplay and stuff," he said.
"It doesn't mean you can't play, it just means you have to be careful."
Such a long time sitting out took an emotional toll of the player who made his NBA debut in 2013.
"It sucks... it feels bad, dude.
"You've just got to rewire your brain a little bit. Typically, you play as a performance indicator - you win or lose - but you have to focus on the small wins, especially in the rehab process."
Adams will likely come off the bench for the Rockets behind Alperen Sengun, the 22-year-old from Turkey who has also been hit by an injury.
Sengun has impressed Adams with his feel for the game and ability to score in different ways.
"What's good about him is his body language is very unorthodox. It's hard to read him, because he can be in a very awkward position - it's actually a really good position for him, but when you're processing as a defender, you think it's not.
"He's got a lot of good tools and he's definitely hungry."
Adams is part of a new-look roster that has brought in youth to balance the veterans and he saw the potential to win a championship.
