I would be careful about writing him off yet. Nobody has had to adjust more to their new role in the offense than Jalen Green. He’s already much better on defense than last year, and his playmaking has taken a good leap. There’s reason to believe in him.
Now, he unquestionably has to be better at some things right now. Turnovers, missed layups, and missed free throws are killing us. He can fix those things immediately, and he’ll be much better. That’s on nobody but him.
You also have to remember how young he is and who he played with before this year. “But wait, u/gregyo,” you might be thinking, “Sengun is the same age and was in the same situation!” Yes, that’s true, however, I think that speaks to how special Sengun is. Sengun is one of the highest IQ players in the league. That’s not a reflection on Jalen.
He might not take that all star leap this year, but I’d be hesitant to write him off so soon into this year.
He’s the second coming of Jesus Christ
When the Rockets turned into the path of Win Now mode, Jabari and Jalen couldn’t adapt perfectly because they were like “Yeah, we are 2nd and 3rd pick, no one can touch us for at least 3-4 years”, which usually means 5 years guarantee of contract in an average team, but now it ain’t so, life is hard, truth is harsh, now you must earn your spot or gonna lose it in very soon. So man up and play, and stay alive. That’s so simple. This is the new hierarchy.
We’re not in true “win now” mode. We’re just trying to be a good competitive team. True win now mode is basically trade all the young guys minus Sengun for the best win now players you can get regardless of age and go all in.
We’re not in true “win now” mode. We’re just trying to be a good competitive team. True win now mode is basically trade all the young guys minus Sengun for the best win now players you can get regardless of age and go all in.
ok, let’s say Win Soon mode for you. No need to argue for the description. More important is that time could be ticking for high draft picks sooner than expected if they don’t prove something this year.
I’ve defended green over and over again. I’d like to say he’s just going through a slump, but he just looked so out of place last night. It’s still early on, so hopefully he figured it out.
But to everyone saying that Green had to adjust more than Sengun, I strongly disagree. Sengun has not only had to adapt to a new system, he’s also had to adapt to more playtime, being doubled in the paint, better his defense, AND having the offense run through him.
Who has to adjust the most is moot. They both have to make different adjustments that are both very significant in their own right
Who has to adjust the most is moot. They both have to make different adjustments that are both very significant in their own right
did you guys not notice how gassed the Lakers and Clippers were in beating us? I know Jalen did not have good games but that’s partly because he was late in the Clippers game going against Kawhi. These two LA teams have a collection of players who should be destroying teams like ours except they are barely eking out wins. We are on the right track with an upward trajectory.
I get your frustrations more than y’all know, especially because you picked Green ahead of Mobley and Barnes, JG kind of pales in comparison.
But… he kind of is who the draft experts said he would be, no? He’s an uber athletic, score first guard who lacks in defensive focus and effort. He was compared to LaVine and Beal which I think is holding up pretty well.
I’ve had similar conversations on the Thunder sub regarding Giddey and his development, and it’s important to remember these guys are only 21, and they’re both living up to their pre draft comparisons almost to a T.
This is my unbiased opinion from an outside perspective, I’m an NBA fan living in Canada who pays attention to the Rockets and was extremely high on Green coming out of the draft
I don’t think that he’s ever going to be a “Super Star” or a true #1 option…I mean he’s still very young and hypothetically anything could happen but I think most people have tempered their expectations for him
I think what you hope he can develop into now is more of a Zach LaVine type of player, a prolific scorer who’s never going to carry a team but can be a 2nd or 3rd option on a championship team which is still a VERY good player and very valuable! not everyone can be a top 10 player
Zach Lavine is the trajectory that I think you look for in Jalen Green…he needs to be a bucket getter, he’s never going to be a high level defender, he might never be an elite playmaker, but if he can become an efficient/elite scorer, that will be his calling card…but he has to become more efficient
I honestly think our offense has larger issues, but they’re being covered by swarming defense and transition.
We’re putting Jalen on ball way too often because it’s the only way he can fit in our current half court sets, and he’s not strong on ball.
You’re under-utilizing Sengun if you exclusively use him in the pick and roll.
Ime needs to find some sets that allows them to coexist.
I mean i overreaxt n get upset at his play so far but its just to early n i love his rebounding and assists going up. I just always remember boston looked kiie shit first half with udoka n were responding far faster, hes building a team for the ages here n its gona be great wild ride