Green gives hope of becoming more reliable
HOUSTON — If there had been some great change — an adjustment in his role or a tweak in shooting form — that triggered Jalen Green’s scoring surge, he and the Houston Rockets would have something more tangible to bring belief that it might last. But solutions are rarely so easily found.
As with building excellence or even just potential in the first place, it takes many steps to reach a destination.
After Green scored 34 points in consecutive games against the Suns last week, a potential breakthrough in a season in which his shot has so often betrayed him, there was hope he had changed directions to head where he always seemed likely to go.
“I was just being aggressive,” Green said, preferring to leave it at that.
There was no great change or easy answer, so only time and more games will show if he has turned a corner. But if the numbers were discouraging before, they can be a reason for hope now.
There have been signs of progress. Green has scored 30 points in six of his past 17 games after reaching 30 just twice in the first 43 games of the season. In his past 19 games, he is averaging 20.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals, all increases from the preceding months.
The Rockets’ secondleading scorer, Green has made just 40.7% of his shots, just 31.8% of his 3pointers. His true shooting percentage, which adjusts for the value of 3-pointers and free throws, ranks last among Rockets regulars. Green has made 28.9% of his 3s with the closest defender six or more feet away but 45.5% in the past two games and 38.8% in the six games since the All-star break.
Even before his recent improved shooting, he had been more well-rounded and better at reading defenses and adjusting. Those are not just improvements the Rockets wanted to see; they were the strides they
hoped would lead to the production in the games heading into Tuesday’s meeting with the Spurs at Toyota Center.
“He’s recognizing (defenses) better,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “Understanding where the big is at and the action of what the on-ball defender is doing, making quicker decisions in general. Being aggressive, shooting it, not passing up shots when they go underneath and then when they go over, getting
downhill and attacking.
“He made some really nice reads (on Saturday) and found those guys wide open, so it’s always good to have those secondary ball handlers as well. He’s been playing great lately.”
Greater aggressiveness and decision-making, along with the ball going in more often, can be considered good signs, but it might be premature to view Green’s play against the Suns as definitive.
With Green in his third season since the Rockets made him the second pick of the 2021 NBA draft, he will be eligible for a contract extension this offseason.
The Rockets will not make long-term roster or contract decisions based on promise shown in a few games or even a few weeks, any more than they would view a 22-year-old with such limited experience before he was drafted (he played 15 G League games in the 2021 Orlando bubble) to be defined by his play before this improved run. They have time, with Green to be a restricted free agent after the 2024-25 season if there is no agreement on an extension this summer.
The 20 remaining games going into Tuesday’s against the Spurs can provide more evidence to consider. Green has put together runs. When he topped 30 prior to the past two games, he scored at least 29 in six of eight games. He said in Phoenix that he would try to build on his play there, pointing out that he has strung together high-scoring games before.
“I try to stay in this moment — my aggressiveness, playing defense, rebounding,” said Green, who had nine rebounds with four assists and two steals on Saturday. “Just try to balance out.”
That was the formula the Rockets hoped would unlock Green’s scoring and make him more efficient. But Udoka said his ability to read the Suns’ defense last week opened his “aggressiveness, shot opportunities.”
“Whether he’s getting downhill, if they’re chasing over (screens) aggressively, shooting 12 3s and 17 the (game) before … he’s reading how teams are playing, what they’re trying to make him take,” Udoka said. “Want him to be aggressive, want him to improve in that area, and I think he has in the last two games.
“It gives us a real weapon offensively. When he’s touching the paint, we’re not relying on the same guys over and over. His scoring is one thing but also his aggressiveness and the crowd and attention he draws really opens it up for everybody else.”