NBA Notes: Rockets, Jalen Green, Hawks, GM Search, Amazon Prime Lineup

Rockets

Jalen Green’s first playoff experience wasn’t just forgettable — it stung. And he knew it.

After the Rockets were eliminated in a 103-89 Game 7 loss to the Warriors, Green didn’t sugarcoat his performance.

“Besides the (second) home game, s—,” he told reporters. “Straight s—. I’ve got to be better. First playoffs is no excuse.”

Green finished with just eight points on 3-of-8 shooting and had one assist in the final game. For the series, his inconsistency told the story. It wasn’t just about poor shooting or missed defensive assignments. It was about confidence, or the lack of it.

“We did a good job on him to start the series and I think that rattled his confidence a little bit,” Warriors forward Draymond Green said. “He’s a good young player. He’ll learn from his mistakes… but we wanted to take him out of this series. And we did.”

Green was swarmed by multiple defenders throughout the series — Moses Moody, Kevon Looney, and Draymond himself all taking turns. When he got past one, another was there to greet him. He tried to play through it, tried to make an impact elsewhere, but the Warriors made their intentions clear: if Jalen Green wasn’t going to be a threat, the Rockets weren’t going to win.

“He played team basketball,” Rockets veteran Fred VanVleet said. “We were a balanced group all year. Never really was about one guy.”

But on this stage, against this opponent, Green was supposed to be that guy. And his own teammates knew it, even if they didn’t say it.

“I’ve got to continue to go out there and be myself,” he said. “And I just didn’t do that.”

Green is just 22, but in Houston, he isn’t viewed like some developing project anymore. He’s the face of the franchise, and the Rockets are no longer stuck in full rebuild mode. This season proved they’re closer than expected, but they’re still not over the hump. Not yet.

Hawks

The Hawks have started interviewing candidates for a new president of basketball operations, per multiple reports, and the list is already drawing attention.

According to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the early round of interviews — reportedly via Zoom — includes some familiar NBA names: Sixers GM Elton Brand, ex-Nuggets exec Calvin Booth, and former Kings top decision-maker Monte McNair.

Atlanta parted ways with general manager Landry Fields last month and elevated Onsi Saleh into that role. But the plan, sources say, was always to pair him with a more experienced basketball voice in a top-level decision-making role.

Also in the mix: longtime pro and former BYU standout Travis Hansen, as well as G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim — a familiar name in Hawks history and a respected figure in NBA circles.

Abdur-Rahim spent five seasons in Atlanta as a player and has since carved out a strong post-playing résumé, especially in player development and league operations. Hansen, meanwhile, has stayed connected to the game globally and brings a unique blend of business and international hoops experience.

Amazon Prime

Udonis Haslem never really left basketball. Now, he’s just swapping his jersey for a microphone full time.

The longtime Miami Heat enforcer is officially joining Amazon Prime Video’s basketball coverage for the 2025-26 season, the streamer announced via Instagram. He’ll be part of the studio team alongside a growing cast of names, including former Heat teammate and close friend Dwyane Wade.

Haslem, 43, spent his entire 20-year playing career with the Heat, winning three NBA championships and becoming a South Florida icon not just for his toughness, but for his loyalty. He played 879 games for the franchise, starting more than 500 and serving as the team’s heartbeat long after his minutes dipped.

He’s been slowly breaking into broadcasting since retirement, showing up on NBA TV and ESPN here and there while holding down a front office title in Miami as VP of basketball development. 

Prime Video also announced Steve Nash and Candace Parker are joining the team, confirming reports from earlier this spring. Add them to a growing list that already includes Blake Griffin and Dirk Nowitzki.

Stan Van Gundy — who coached Haslem in Miami during the early 2000s — is also reportedly on board.

Haslem is expected to join Griffin and Nowitzki on the studio show, per The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson.