The Rockets liked what they saw from Jalen Green in Summer League play, and their excitement goes beyond his statistics, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. The No. 2 overall pick averaged 20.3 PPG and shot 51.4% from the floor (52.6% from three-point range) in his first two games before getting shut down after reporting hamstring tightness midway through the third game.
Coaches were impressed by Green’s decision making when the Pistons threw traps at him after he crossed half court. Green made the right reads and got the ball where it was supposed to go, rather than focusing on a one-on-one battle with No. 1 selection Cade Cunningham.
“It’s exciting to see him up and close and personal in a Rockets uniform,” coach Stephen Silas said. “Jalen out there making exciting plays but doing it within the context of how we do things.”
There’s more from Houston:
- All four of the Rockets’ first-round picks looked like legitimate prospects during their first Summer League experience, Feigen adds. Usman Garuba and Josh Christopher may be sent to the G League to get playing time, but Alperen Sengun appears ready to contribute with the NBA team. Feigen notes that Sengun, the MVP of the Turkish League last season, displayed an advanced understanding of the game in Las Vegas.
- The youth movement in Houston raises questions about the future of John Wall, who will be 31 when the season begins, per Rahat Huq of The Houston Chronicle. Wall had a 31.6 usage percentage last season and figures to have a similar role as long as he remains with the team. There has been speculation of a possible buyout with Wall, who will make $44.3MM this year and has a $47.4MM player option for 2022/23, but the organization’s best move may be to rebuild his value and try to trade him next summer.
- Summer League coach Will Weaver talks about giving players their first NBA experience, plus several other topics, in an interview with Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
Jalen Green has a lot of potential. The future looks pretty good for Houston. Let’s just hope the front office/management doesn’t screw it up. Also, GreenWood or whatever does not represent the city of Houston and it’s sports fans and neither does his bad takes.
The sports fans of Houston know a lot about football and baseball, but most of them know next to nothing about basketball. Back when Dwight Howard was here most of the fans here thought the Rockets should build around him, that shows how little the majority of fans here know about basketball.
My takes are spot on, and the rest of the fans here will catch up soon. Stick to the Astros my friend, and pray for the Texans because they need it.
The new management for the Rockets has been incredible. I wouldn’t worry about them screwing up anything. Our future is amazing.
GreenWood thinks his takes are spot on….. must’ve forgot the time he said the Rockets who made the least passes per game, and the Warriors who made the most passes per game played the same style. And the Rockets shot the least mid range shots while the Warriors shot one of the most. Haha many of your takes are way off. Some are spot on too I must say
GreenWood, you said the unproven rookies that the Rocket drafteds are a roster upgrade. You also said the Rockets got rid of Olynyk for Theis, trading offense for defense, while ignoring the fact that they got rid of Avery Bradley, a player whom other players consider to be one of the top perimeter defeners in the league. That right there is proof you got horrible basketball takes and ultimately know about basketball. Also, Orlando tried building around Dwight Howard and they went to the finals. I’m not saying Houston should’ve built around him, bur what I am saying is it’s ridiculous to ignore that just to say Houstonians don’t know basketball. Sorry, buddy, but the proof is in the pudding.
John Wall usage percentage need to be determined
I really like this proposal from Rockets
Rebuild the Wall
Then trade the Wall later
If they trade Wall now, all they are going to see is another team build up his value and make “profit” on trading him next year. Just like the Thunder did with Paul and the Wizards did with Westbrook. I don’t have a problem with the Rockets, but they have done very poorly on their last two big trades.
This is where you are going on the old GM aka Morey. From the new GM aka Stone, I’d say he has done pretty good considering trading off Harden and what they got in return, has a bright future. We will see within 3 years of what these new rookies do to judge this trade.
In long story short, you seem to follow another team but troll the Rockets with weak points and very little validation to the current GM.
Anyone know on Gordon and what will do with him. A veteran to help perhaps or can they do something with him. I did not think would do anything with Wall. Cannot wait to see what Green will bring. Plus wonder who will call Rockets games on TV now that Bill has retired and Matt is in front office. Hopefully someone that knows basketball and even Houston and not more for other team. But hope we can have a better year than last at least. I will take that. Build up and maybe get back to playoffs sooner rather than later
I think they’re going to have Craig Ackerman take over for play by play duties, but we’ll have to see who he’s teamed up with. Anyone would be better than Calvin Murphy, even if they brought back Clyde. They should decide fairly soon with the regular season less than two months away.
Gordon and House are all that’s left of the old regime, and House is in the last year of his contract. Gordon should be phased out slowly over the course of the season, and perhaps he’ll get a buyout at the trade deadline. Augustin will almost certainly get bought out. They should wait and see what happens with Wall though, he may surprise us with a bounce back season.
It’s hard to trade Wiggins $65 million contract
It’s harder to trade Wall $92 million contract
Wiggins is always healthy
If Wall stays healthy next season he will become a lot easier to trade than Wiggins, a healthy Wall is almost ten times better than a healthy Wiggins.
Wall won’t be easier to trade because of his contract.
Same and more was said about CP3 and we see how wrong “everyone” was.
Wall is far younger now (not quite 31) than Paul was when he was traded to OKC (34). Wall has a brighter future than CP3 right now.
Good move to send Garuba, Christopher to G-league. They need mins down there. Sengun and Green definitely ready for prime time. Sengun is an old school big. He will need time. But should be able to provide backup mins. Needs to get get faster and quicker. Seems like a smart player. So he will adapt to the talent level. Green is just a star in the making. Rockets had a good draft. Time to go full rebuild.
Wall and Gordon should be moved by TD. Wall has to show that he’s healthy. He can still be effective. Someone will take a chance on him. Gordon can help any playoff team or contender. He should be easier to move. If I was Rockets I’d be looking at these young guys. Who were top picks and don’t seem to be working out. Like Markkanen and Bagley.
Gordon and House are the two that need to be moved by the trade deadline.
They can decide what to do with Wall after the season because he has a player option in the final year of his contract. The two aforementioned players are all that’s left of the old regime. House is in the final year of his deal, so if he’s not traded they can just cut him to make room on the roster.
If they can’t find a trade for Gordon that they like, then it makes sense to give him a buyout to free up playing time for Josh Christopher and Garuba.