Jock didn't land big blows but value is undeniable

• Australian centre Jock Landale was a fixture on the Houston Rockets bench in 2024-25
• Landale averaged 4.8 points and 3.3 rebounds
• Landale shot an efficient 53.3% from the field

In the 2024-25 NBA season, Melbourne-born centre Jock Landale was a times a valuable role player for the Houston Rockets, demonstrating versatility and efficiency despite limited court time.

The 29-year-old Australian Boomers centre, standing 211cm tall, showed flashes of brilliance throughout the season while adapting to a fluctuating role in the Rockets' rotation.

Season Overview: Consistency Amid Fluctuating Minutes

Landale's 2024-25 campaign was marked by efficiency in limited opportunities. Appearing in 42 games through mid-April, he averaged just under 12 minutes per contest while contributing consistently when called upon.

The Australian big man shot an outstanding 53.3% from the field during the regular season, including an efficient 42.3% from beyond the arc on limited attempts (11-from-26). This outside shooting ability has added a valuable dimension to his game, allowing him to stretch the floor when needed.

Landale's season statistics reflect his role as a complementary piece in the Rockets' rotation:

• Points Per Game: 4.8
• Rebounds Per Game: 3.3
• Field Goal Percentage: 53.3%
• Three-Point Percentage: 42.3%
• Free Throw Percentage: 67.5%

While these numbers are modest, they represent solid production for a backup centre playing limited minutes. His per-36 minute projections would translate to approximately 14.4 points and 9.9 rebounds, highlighting his efficiency when on the court.

Role Flexibility: Starter and Reserve

One of Landale's most valuable attributes has been his ability to adapt to different roles. Throughout the season, he has primarily operated as a bench player, but he's also stepped into the starting lineup when called upon, especially when Steven Adams was unavailable.

In early April, Landale enjoyed a three-game stretch as a starter, including a stellar performance against the Los Angeles Clippers on April 9, 2025. In that contest, he played a season-high 34 minutes and delivered an excellent all-around performance with 11 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and one steal while shooting 4-from-7 from the field.

His ability to contribute as both a starter and a reserve demonstrates his professional approach and understanding of team needs – qualities that have made him a valuable piece in the Rockets' rotation.

Standout Performances

While Landale's role has limited his statistical impact, he's had several standout performances that showcase his capabilities:

• ‍February 9, 2025 vs. Toronto Raptors (Win) In a victory against the Raptors, Landale played 24 minutes off the bench and contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 4-from-8 from the field and a perfect 3-from-3 from the free-throw line. This double-double highlighted his ability to control the glass and provide interior scoring.‍
• February 13, 2025 vs. Golden State Warriors (Loss) Against the Warriors, Landale delivered an efficient offensive performance with 13 points on 6-from-9 shooting, including 1-from-2 from three-point range. He added eight rebounds in just under 16 minutes of play, demonstrating his scoring touch and efficiency.‍
• April 9, 2025 vs. Los Angeles Clippers (Loss) In one of his starts, Landale showed his full arsenal of skills against the Clippers. Playing 34 minutes, he contributed 11 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and one steal while shooting 4-from-7 from the field. This performance highlighted his playmaking ability from the centre position.‍
• November 13, 2024 vs. Los Angeles Clippers (Win) Early in the season, Landale showed his defensive potential in a win against the Clippers, recording two blocks and one steal to go with four points, four rebounds, and four assists in 17 minutes. His defensive impact and playmaking ability were on full display in this well-rounded performance.

Efficiency and Impact Metrics

Landale's value extends beyond traditional box score statistics. His Floor Impact Counter (FIC) — a metric that measures a player's overall contribution — has frequently been positive despite limited minutes, highlighting his efficient play.

His best FIC performance came on April 9 against the Clippers (17.8), reflecting his outstanding all-around impact in that game. Other notable FIC performances include:

• February 13 vs. Warriors: 14.5
• November 13 vs. Clippers: 11.8
• February 9 vs. Raptors: 11.4

These metrics reinforce what the eye test suggests: when given sufficient playing time, Landale consistently contributes positively across multiple facets of the game.

Shooting Efficiency and Range

One of the most impressive aspects of Landale's game has been his shooting efficiency. Beyond his solid overall field goal percentage of 53.3%, there have been several games where his touch was exceptional:

• Against the Denver Nuggets on April 13, he shot a perfect 5-from-5 from the field, including 1-from-1 from deep.
• In consecutive games against the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns in late March, he shot 5-from-7 in both contests.
• Against the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 6, he was perfect from the field (4-from-4).

His three-point shooting, while limited in volume, has been impressive at 42.3% for the season. This outside touch adds a valuable dimension to his game, allowing him to space the floor and provide versatility in the Rockets' offensive sets.

Rebounding Strength

Despite limited minutes, Landale showed a knack for rebounding, particularly on the offensive glass. He collected 56 offensive rebounds in 42 appearances, reflecting his work ethic and positioning around the basket.

His best rebounding performance came against the Raptors on February 9, when he grabbed 10 boards (including two offensive rebounds) in 24 minutes. Other notable rebounding efforts include:

• Eight rebounds in 16 minutes against the Chicago Bulls (November 17)
• Nine rebounds in 34 minutes against the Clippers (April 9)
• Six rebounds in 18 minutes against the San Antonio Spurs (November 6)

This rebounding ability, particularly on the offensive end, has given the Rockets valuable second-chance opportunities.

Playmaking From the Centre Position

An underrated aspect of Landale's game was his passing ability. While not asked to be a primary facilitator, he's shown flashes of playmaking skill from the centre position.

His season-high in assists came against the Clippers on April 9, when he recorded five assists in 34 minutes. He also dished out four assists in 17 minutes against the Clippers in November, showing his ability to find open teammates when defences collapse on him.

Defensive Contributions

Defensively, Landale has provided solid support in the paint. While not a prolific shot-blocker, he's contributed 10 blocks across his 42 appearances, including two blocks in games against the Clippers and Bulls.

His positioning and basketball IQ have allowed him to be in the right place defensively, even when not recording blocks or steals. His team defence has been valuable for a Rockets squad that has relied on solid defensive play throughout the season.

Room for Improvement

Despite his solid contributions, there are areas where Landale could improve. His free throw percentage of 67.5% is below average for a centre with his touch.

Turnovers have occasionally been an issue, with a season-high of three coming against the New Orleans Pelicans in December. However, with only 21 turnovers across 42 games, wasn't a significant concern overall.

Looking Ahead

At 29 years old, Landale is in his prime basketball years. With a team option in his contract for 2026, his consistent play and professional approach should position him well for continued opportunities, whether with the Rockets or elsewhere in the NBA.

His ability to stretch the floor, rebound effectively, and contribute in multiple facets of the game makes him a valuable role player in today's NBA, where versatility at the centre position is increasingly valued.

The Value of Consistency

Landale's 2024-25 season with the Houston Rockets may not have produced headline-grabbing statistics, but his consistent play and professional approach made him a valuable member of the rotation when called upon.

His efficiency when given opportunities, combined with his versatility and team-first approach, exemplifies the qualities that allow role players to carve out successful NBA careers. While stars often grab the headlines, players like Landale form the backbone of successful teams.