Rockets starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. hopes to carve out his own path at the position, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. Feigen notes that Houston is content to see Porter act as something of a score-first point guard, though he has grown as a passer.
“We’re in 2022,” Porter said, in reference to how his play is reflective of the position’s evolution. “I think (Stephen) Curry, he got the ‘traditional point guard’ label out. Since Steph, I don’t think there’s been like a traditional point guard moving forward, except for CP (Chris Paul) and (others) that have been already. I see myself definitely as a point guard, especially for this team. I want to be a point guard for the rest of my career.”
Porter is averaging 14.1 PPG, 6.0 APG and 4.1 RPG for the Rockets this season.
There’s more out of the Lone Star State:
- The rebuilding Rockets are primed to add some blue-chip talent to their young roster in the 2022 draft. Kelly Iko and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic examine how several top projected lottery picks could fit Houston, including 7’1″ Gonzaga big man Chet Holmgren, Auburn forward Jabari Smith, Duke forward Paolo Banchero, Purdue guard Jaden Ivey, Iowa forward Keegan Murray, and Duke wing A.J. Griffin. Iko and Vecenie think it would behoove Houston to not necessarily think too much about positional overlap – particularly with incumbent starting center Christian Wood or point guard Kevin Porter Jr. – when considering draft prospects.
- Veteran Mavericks shooting guard Reggie Bullock is back with Dallas following a three-game absence due to personal reasons, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN (Twitter link). Bullock in the first of a three-year, $30.5MM contract he signed with the Mavericks last summer, has seen his role reduced a little for a 43-28 Dallas team with serious playoff aspirations. After being a starter for the majority of the time since a 2017/18 NBA season spent with the Pistons, the 31-year-old out of North Carolina has toggled between the starting lineup and the bench for Dallas this year.
- Given Spurs guard Dejounte Murray‘s own history with serious injuries (he tore his ACL in 2018), he has recently been reaching out to other NBA players dealing with their own difficult injury rehabs, writes Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. Murray has talked to Warriors wing Klay Thompson, who has just returned this season after suffering ACL and Achilles tears in consecutive years, as well as Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, who continues to work his way back from a torn left ACL.
If I’m the Rockets I go with either Jabari or Paolo with that top3 pick
Jabari Smith should be the pick. Fingers crossed.
Paolo or Mathurin would be sorta perfect for them too tbh. They’re in a good spot going forward no doubt
Traditional positions are out the window.
I think Garland is a good example of a modern day traditional point guard. Maybe not 15 points 12 assists like Prime Rondo, today’s more of a scorers and shooters league.
I like the evolution of positions and the game. It’s so much more faster and entertaining. Less physical and the foul calls do get annoying but it’s not the worst. The league is so much more skilled and smarter than ever. I love all the international talents aswell.
Who would’ve thought that for the last 3 years of MVPs they would all be born outside of the USA and this year it’s likely to be the 4th straight year. Prior to 2018-19 there had only been two foreign MVPs Dirk and Hakeem.
We are playing in a shooting and guard driven league where for the second straight year it’ll be a 1-2 big man race for MVP.
For the second straight year a centre will finish 3rd in 3 point percentage.
The NBA is probably the most dynamic leagues in the world
“Traditional” PG Chris Paul will likely win the WC again while “evolved” Kevin Porter will still be losing. More talent drafted this year for Houston will be wasted.
Porter is not even sure what he’s talking about, or would not volunteer the words.
Rockets probably are guaranteed a top 3 pick. Have to take best available regardless of position. I don’t see Wood staying on this team. He turns 27 this September. Rockets best move would be to move him at the draft. Heat and Celtics both have scouted him. They have good young talent plus a low 1st rd pick could do it.
I’m Rockets I take . Jabari #1. Banchero #2. Holmgren #3. I see all three as sure things (Holmgren with time). Not a Porter fan. Imo his best position is the third guard. He’s more a combo guard to me. His D needs improvement and he can be valuable as the third guard. Unfortunately I doubt he would accept that.
I’d like to see the Rockers get Paolo or Jabari with a top 3 pick and trade Wood and maybe pick 16 (some sort of 3 way trade) to move up and get Duren. I’d like to add a PF and Center to their current mix, while moving Wood. I’m not a fan of Holmgren in the NBA. He’s going to have to get a lot bigger to play in the paint.
Rockets are only about 40% likely to have a top 3 pick. But regardless, since they can’t be lower than #5 and have other picks, they should have a shot at Banchero. If they want either of JS or CH, they’ll need the ping pong balls to bounce their way (#1 or #2).
Porter needs to work on FTs… 59%? Not good man. He’s trending toward Ben Simmons territory. Your lead guard cant be an abysmal FT shooter. Can’t play that guy late in games. it’s fine on a tanking team not a winning team.
Not really. Kpj is shooting 37% on 3’s this season. Just struggles with free throws which time will improve. Remember he’s 21. Same age as some of the guys playing in March madness right now.