Jalen Green has been showing off the scoring ability that convinced the Rockets to take him with the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. When Houston decided this week to hold out its veterans, possibly for the rest of the season, Green began to focus on getting the shots he wanted. The result has been three straight 30-point games, including a career-best 33 Friday night.
“He’s a shot maker,” coach Stephen Silas said. “He can get to the rim. He can get to the free throw line. He can shoot the mid-range. Just kind of happy for him that the work he puts in translates and he can be further confirmed that he’s really good by working and producing and working more and producing more.”
Green became a starter right away, but it took him a while to adjust to the NBA, Feigen notes. He shot just 37.7% from the field and 28.4% from three-point range for the first part of the season, but since turning 20 on February 9 those numbers have improved to 46.5% and 40%. Green believes he benefited from participating in the Rising Stars event at All-Star Weekend.
“All-Star was just a confidence builder, being in that atmosphere, playing in that,” he said. “On top of that, me and (assistant coach John Lucas) being in the gym working, all the time. Just trusting my work.”
There’s more from Houston:
- Fellow rookie Usman Garuba had to wait much longer for his first NBA start, which happened Wednesday, Feigen adds in a separate story. The 23rd pick last year battled through a thigh bruise, a fractured wrist, an ankle injury and COVID-19, which have limited him to 20 total games. “It is very important for him to feel good about his position on this team, his worth for our group,” Silas said. “He’s talented and he hasn’t really gotten a chance this year. We have such high hopes for him and we’re so positive about him, but he needs to feel it as well. I think having the actual game experience will help him with that.”
- Auburn’s Jabari Smith would be the best fit for the Rockets in the draft, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Iko sees Smith’s size, shooting and defensive abilities as a perfect fit for Houston’s current roster and says questions about his playmaking won’t be a concern with Green and Kevin Porter Jr. handling those duties.
- Iko expects Porter to remain the team’s point guard unless the Rockets land the fourth or fifth pick and draft Purdue’s Jaden Ivey. Porter will be eligible for a rookie scale extension this summer.
Rockets gm is the smartest trader in the nba but I predict that he will draft another bust in June, IMO
Smartest ever?
John Wall for Lakers 2027 unprotected pick and salary filler
That is what I view the trade package
Another? What “bust” has he drafted before?
K Porter Jr & Jalen Green are gonna do big things together. Possibly the most exciting backcourt in the league already
They will be good backcourt pairing but I’ll take CP3 and Devin Booker followed by Ja Morant and Desmond Bane.
I wouldn’t really call Paul/Booker that exciting. Extremely talented yes but neither of those guys is catching alleys like Jalen. Bane is one of my favorite players rn but he’s not as exciting to watch as either of the young Houston guards
Then there’s Morant, but its more than than just athletic plays. I love to watch great passes and shooting as well.
KPJ isn’t anything wonderful. Jalen could be, but he’s raw, it’ll take a few years…
I think he meant exciting to watch, to which I agree. KPJ is still in his first season at PG since HS and has developed well, his ceiling is high at 22 maybe not as high as the other mentioned above but it’s exciting to see how far he could go.
With Green, first half of the season I was doubting how good he could be. But post AS break he’s looking like the best Rook of 21, too bad there’s no award for that. If he keeps improving at this rate, he’ll be a ridiculous talent in the league. he is slowing becoming as the draft & GLeague advertised “a walking highlight reel” even if it did take him 3/4 the season to get comfortable.
He has looked good, but Cade has been amazing sing the ASG.
You’re gonna make me eat my words, as Cade has been ROTY in my eyes, even if he did miss a big chunk of the season, Mobley has been amazing, but overall Cade has been better on an obviously worse team.
But post AS break it’s been very close between Green & Cade. Even if the stats say “slightly” different.
Rockets should trade Jabari Smith and play him at the 4, move Sengun into the permanent starting centre.
That means you can flip Christian Wood, I know it sounds really boring but I’d honestly just do something like Wood for Plumblee and a protected first.
On top of that do John Wall and a second round pick for Russell Westbrook and the 2027 unprotected first.
Then also add Eric Gordon up for sale too. See if you can get another first round pick for him.
Then line up something like
1. KPJ. Schroder Russ*
2. Green. Christopher Gordon*
3. Tate. Martin. Mathews
4. Smith. Garuba
5. Sengun. Plumblee
Plus still have the 13th pick in the draft which you got from the Nets.
Pretty promising rebuild, Green Smith KPJ Sengun and others plus another couple future first.
Although I agree with a lot of what you’re saying, KJ Martin is a PF which would push Usman to a 3rd option and C cover.
I’d rather see them find a good SF to trade for Wood, maybe Bridges or Martin from Charlotte.
Then find a vet C in the FA to help mentor Alpie. I’d also try and buy out Wall/Russ and push for someone like Beverley/Smart to help mentor KPJ’s terrible D
Yeah I seen Martin was listed as just a forward and with his height I spotted him in at SF but would’ve preferred him at the 4 and Gauba moving into the 3rd choice PF and additional centre coverage.
As for SF, you can draft one at 13th in the draft were you could be looking at Jeremy Sochan, Malakai Branham, Kendall Brown and Nikola Jovic.
Then can keep Plumblee as the centre cover, locker room veteran presence who can help mentor Sengun. But as for Russ, I’d also try buy him out. Think Russ would be more interested in a buy out and going to a contender than Wall who was happy to play a part in Houston.
If Russ does get brought out then it would be really interesting to see we’re he ends up. Won’t be OKC, won’t be Lakers. Wonder if he would go Clippers? Surely not. Knicks would make some sense for sure.
It all depends where the pick lands if it falls too low, I’d like them to use the BRK pick to trade up for either Smith or Banchero.
Then they can trade for a SF which I think is a higher priority than a vet 5, I’d also rather have someone with a bit more experience to help development, which is why I look at CHA I would expect them to jump at the chance to trade bridges/Martin and plumlee for Wood.
As for Russ, I’m the same, I have no idea where he might go, if Minnesota have a good run I wouldn’t be surprised if they take a punt to pair him with edwards and towns but outside of that I have no idea.
Green is just sooo good, this guy will be a top scorer in the league very soon!
BTW is it just me, it seems madness to give a max contract to KPJ, I mean he can be good, but I think he is way overrated as it is, he shouldn’t even get anywhere near half of that money, right?
Porter is not a PG. He’s more a combo guard to me. He’s best as the third guard. I doubt he would ever accept that. So I just move him now. Why complicate the rebuilding.
Funny how Rockets can rebuild. And all look forward to the draft helping. Yet the Knicks aren’t allowed to rebuild. Simply cause they overachieved one yr. If you can draft you will build a team. Best way is thru draft.
Rockets will have a top 3 pick. Should be another nice addition. They don’t need Ivey, they have Green. So if he’s there they could trade out for value. Smith and Banchero both future 4s. Holmgren is too risky here.
Would Blazers give up 7th pick for Wood ??
Rockets should add another young talented player this drat. Probably a PF. So Wood is definitely going to be traded at some point.
Knicks aren’t allowed to rebuild? Lol that’s all they been doing since Ewing left… As far as the Rockets it’s extremely obvious you don’t watch them much. KPJ is definitely a pg & Wood is definitely a 5. I could see Wood gettin moved for a more defensive minded 5 down the line but for now he’s easily their best player, he’s on a team friendly contract, he’s at a premium position & most importantly he chose Houston & clearly wants to be there unlike a lot of other guys who don’t wanna play for Fertitta
I agree Wood is a C and KPJ is a PG. the issue is they’re both god awful on D.
I really like Porter progression this year and he can be a top player. But they way green and Sengun play, I don’t think it suits him, and with him leading the offence I think it hampers the two rooks. Houston need a pass first, defensive PG to progress, I like hayes at Pistons
Someone mentioned in the past possibly making a move for Suggs or fultz. Considering Magic can’t really grow with 3 PGs(similar to the kings until they gave away their best prospect for Sabo)it might be an idea put something together for either Suggs or fultz for wood and ship KPJ while his stock is high this off.
You obviously still don’t understand this game. I watch the Rockets more than you watch the Hawks. But really not much to watch.
Wood is not on a friendly contract. He’s about to be a FA. And has been very public about a max contract. So has Porter by the way. You really should inform yourself. Before trying to make a REAL point. How can anyone take you serious.
Knicks have never rebuilt a team thru the draft. That’s NEVER like in never. You have to go back to Willis Reed. They almost did with Ewing. But couldn’t help themselves and went for winning now. And forget the future. Since then they have traded more 1st rd picks than any NBA team.
You really should stop commenting on the Knicks. You only show your ignorance. All the information is out there.
@Knicker, I have to disagree with your comment on Wood, he is a clear 5 and his £14m for one year is very friendly for a contender looking to push their chips and push for a 20-10 C. Dubs for example by trading a couple for one more big year with Steph Klay and Dray. Or Nets with KD &Kyrie getting desperate.
I agree with the KPJ situation he should be shipped in the off before his value drops as I said before.
But what you’re saying about your Knicks is half right. After all the last couple drafts have got you RJ Barret(2019 3) who is arguably Knicks best player, and Toppin(2020 8) who has had his development stifled by Randle and Thibs. They over achieved for the teams level last year and that may have caused issues to a clear rebuild. 2 top 8 picks in 3 years coupled with a few other good talent player in IQ and Redish who are also very good young players the chance is there. The problem is the FO & Thibs letting the pressure of being the Knicks forcing them to lose patience and push before the foundations are laid.
I think Knicks are in the best position I’ve seen in my lifetime to build a top team with the likes of the above, but the pressure in New York is high as I’m sure you know.
Don’t let other peoples comments affect you that much, make the point and back it up. There’s no need to go all in and start feeding smoke. We all have an opinion, right or wrong we’re all here because we love the game.
I miss “HardenWestbrookMVP”!!
I never said he wasn’t a center. Please don’t take the Hawk Homer words for mine. I’m saying the same thing. He’s going to be moved. But he wants to get paid. Everyone in NBA knows that. So there are two options for Rockets. Trade him for young talent and picks. Or sign him and then trade him for value.
When you have a chance at Smith or Banchero or even Holmgren at #4. You don’t need Wood. He is not on timeline of this rebuild. You should prefer the young talent you can get for him. Sengun is a nice talented big who is also young. Rockets would be wise to draft a C with their 2nd 1st rd pick. Duren, Williams, Robinson, Kessler, Koloko all will be NBA centers.
Never been a Porter fan. But I don’t see how a scoring PG helps Green become the next Kobe. Porter has always been about himself. Why would you want that in your PG.
Couldn’t agree more I said it before, even if the pick falls, they should use the BRK pick to trade up for Banchero or Smith. They fit perfectly. To be a top team there can only be 3 lead scoring starters and 2 3&D or a pass first PG to support.
I said exactly the same as yourself above and pointed towards Hayes @DET or Suggs to be the better pass first defensive talented PG to support Green and Sengun along with 22 Rook going forward.
Another issues with Porter and Wood are their attitudes. Don’t need toxicity in Houston, it’s been far too present in The last 10 years. Need to build a good core on and off the court.
Porter is not a true PG. He’s a bad mix to have with Green. Green is the future in Houston. He doesn’t need a PG who looks for his own shot. Porter is more interested in securing a big contract. His is up next yr. He seems like a young man who doesn’t have his values in order. Rockets need a 10ast run the offense PG. Like a Garland not a Sexton. You see the difference it made in Cleveland. Rockets are about to add another talented player who needs the ball. You need a real PG to get it to them.
What amazes me about so called NBA fans. Is they never see chemistry or defense as a defining attribute. It’s the cornerstones to building a real team. Both Wood and Porter don’t play D. Cause they are trying to get stats to help their contracts. Why would you want players like that on your team. Move them now while they have value. No future with them.