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Jalen Green a Star?
The Rocket That Hasn't Lifted Off!š
The Houston Rockets made major moves last off-season. Bringing in a new head coach in Ime Udoka and veterans like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. Rafael Stone was looking at building a competing team in Houston. For the past few years, it has been inmates running the asylum. Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green were doing everything they wanted. Throwing random ass shots and playing no defense. Stephen Silas lost the locker room, and there was nothing that he could do. Fast forward to now, and the Rockets are a team that competes every night with the goal of establishing a culture. But one player who is having a hard time adjusting is Jalen Green.
The 2nd pick in the 2021 draft was Jalen Green. Now, playing in his third season, the expectation was that he would make a jump to stardom. He showed potential in the past two- seasons. Rockets fans expected Jalen to play much better. He has better players around him. Also, the hope was that he would improve his ball handling and passing. But we have seen none of that. Jalen needed to move on from being a volume shooter to being part of a real offense.
Jalen Green came into the league with a reputation as a shooter. He is a volume shooter. He averages 18 points per game on 40% shooting and 32% from the three-point arc. That is below average for his position. These are not efficient numbers for a shooting guard. Inconsistency in the third year of your career is bad. Though he is only 22, he has room to improve. Jalen has found himself getting subbed out in crunch time when the Rockets are looking to win. It is frustrating for the young guard. The team is moving far away from their prospect.
There have been reports that Stone is looking to move on from their second pick. He has not made the improvements in his game that they expected to see. It is clear as we see Ime in crunch time look towards other players. You can see him pissed off on the bench. His peers have been important players on their respective teams. Scottie Barnes made the All-Star team. Franz Wagner has been the second option for the Magic. Evan Mobley has anchored the Cavs' defense. Even his own teammate, Alperen Sengun, has made the argument for improvement. Green looks more like a six-man than an NBA star. But he has room to improve his game, as he is only 22 years old. The Rockets have a lot of young players. Jalen Green's future is questionable at the Space Center. Green has not lifted off this season, which is a huge disappointment.
Jalen Green, take over!
Jalen Green has taken over since Sengun got injured. It seemed like Houston's season was over. The Rockets are not supposed to win games. Yet, they have been on a roll the past few games. Going on a massive nine-game win. This is great for the young shooting guard, as his extension is approaching. This is a huge moral win for the Rockets. They are on a tear. Green has proven to be one of the best players in the 2021 class. Jalen is having a dominating stretch. But the question is: can Sengun and Green work together?
In March, Jalen put up great numbers. Averaging 23 points per game, he earned himself a player of the month. Sengun going down has opened the driving lanes for him. He has the ball more in his hands. His lack of off-ball play has affected the two together. Jalen has the green light to take over, and his pacing has been faster. From looking like he was being traded to looking like the franchise player we thought he could be, the Rockets have a tough decision to make soon.
Rockets will have to choose between Sengun and Green. It seems like it can't work with their two young players. The pacing on the court is much different, and the playing styles contradict each other. The 2021 classmates have found themselves in a tough spot. If you're Udoka and Stone, you are happy to be in this position. Both young players have been able to shine this season. Right now, the Rockets could find themselves in the playoffs. They have been putting on a show on the court. This season is a huge success for the baby Rockets. It will be interesting to see who they choose as the heir to the throne that James Harden has left.
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