Rockets Remain High on Former No. 2 Overall Pick Jalen Green

Without question, there’s still plenty of reason for the Rockets to believe in shooting guard Jalen Green. So that is precisely what his teammates and coaches said they will continue to do, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

“It’s a little advanced than what the average eye can see,” guard Fred VanVleet said of Green’s game. “But he’s really coming along and making great reads for us. He’s going to stick with that, even when it’s not showing great numbers on the stat sheet.”

Coach Ime Udoka added that the Rockets continue to work with — and believe in — Green, who had to make some adjustments after the arrivals of VanVleet and forward Dillon Brooks.

“A lot of times, he’s passed up some shots he could have walked into with the bigs being back kind of waiting on him. Playing at different speeds as well,” Udoka said of Green, via Feigen. “We’ve talked to him and showed him some film on that and mixing up his pace a little bit and taking the shots that they give him.”

Green, 23, is 6-foot-4 and in his third season after the Rockets selected him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He’s averaging 17.2 points and 4.2 rebounds through the first six games — though has struggled with his shot a little.

No matter, Brooks is another big believer in Green’s promise. 

“Jalen’s a special player, a future All-Star in this league,” Brooks said. “His growth is getting better and better each and every day, especially on the defensive end. And he’s like a sponge. He’s just learning every day.”

As for Green, he said he just wants to be part of a winning environment.

“At the end of the day, if I can contribute to winning, that’s all I care about,” he said, via Feigen. “I know the buckets are going to come later. But right now, are we winning, playing the right way, playing defense? That’s a step from last year.”