Others might spring to mind, especially on his own team. Chuck Hayes tossed out, in order, Shane Battier, Luis Scola, and himself before considering Lowry, the backup point guard. But it's true. According to statistics obtained at hoopdata.com and corroborated in-house by the Rockets , Lowry's 18 are one more than New York's Jared Jeffries and three more than Milwaukee's Andrew Bogut.

As for where he ranks on the Rockets , Lowry said he assumed Hayes was next - and he is, at 11, tied with Scola. Then it's Battier (nine) and Aaron Brooks (eight).

"It doesn't surprise me at all," coach Rick Adelman said. "Kyle is very willing to step in there and take a charge on anybody. He's very good at reading the situation. He's tough, hard-nosed and willing to take the hit."

Open to contact

At a compact 6 feet and 205 pounds, Lowry resembles a free safety. His physical style, at times, is also reminiscent of football.

"I don't mind the contact," he said, smiling. "Sometimes it hurts, but you have to get up and do whatever it takes to help the team win."

Battier has the reputation of being one of the NBA's best defenders, and he was asked the key characteristics in being able to draw offensive fouls.

"First of all, you have to have great anticipation," Battier said. "You have to understand the force of the ball-handler and the offensive player and how that correlates to where you are on the court. You have to have good feet. You have to be still to get that charge and take the charge square in the chest.

"And then you have to have some mettle, because these guys are big, strong and powerful. A lot of the charges hurt, but after you take them for a while, you learn how to fall. But it's still quite an impact."

Lowry brushed off a question wondering whether he'd always been so defensively inclined or if it was a necessity with the Rockets . But he agreed with a comment from Hayes, who pointed out, "We don't have shot-blockers, so we have to meet them early, use our full-body help, and try to make them run us over."

Makes the most of his time

Being the league leader, Lowry admitted the temptation to crow is there, but for now, he just wants more.

"I'll wait until the season is over before I brag," said Lowry, who is only playing a little more than 24 minutes per game.

Fortunately, he doesn't have to. He has teammates are more than happy to do so for him.

"He sticks his nose in there, and he's a tough guy," Battier said. "I'd be surprised if he wasn't at the top of the list."

jeffrey.martin@chron.com