KPJ made Jalen Green look like a little boy in that game! KPJ looked significantly more physical, showed better vision, and showed better offensive instincts overall. Neither are sterling defenders and probably never will be, especially Green, who lacks thickness. This is majorly concerning if we are considering Green at #2 (which I don't think we really are).
I watched a lot of G League this season and the OP has a legitimate point. He encapsulated many of my concerns about Green, and they are valid. Green is far from a perfect prospect, particularly on the defensive side, hence why I prefer Mobley. Now, I get that no prospect is perfect, but it's funny to see people who likely prefer Green due to his highlights attack the OP for criticizing Green "based on one game."
Bookmark this for me, please. I’ve seen so many stupid threads this year, yet I’m still too lazy to save them for future pleasure bumping. when i just remember all the people crying because we didn’t take the „superstar“ ben simmons and 2 protected FRP that i could have ridiculed if i just wasn’t too lazy to save them. This will be another one of them.
I realize that the Rockets current roster cannot dictate what they do with this pick. However, I think given the fact that the consensus is that there is little daylight between Green and Mobley other considerations like fit do come into play. Now, my concern is that Green's marketability is going to factor in for TF and make him the guy. I dont think such a basis is necessarily catastrophic since both guys are pretty close in talent. However, I do question Green's fit on the Rockets for several reasons. First, is the mixture of KPJ and Green. I dont think it is certain that KPJ will run the point. If that experiment doesn't work out then the question arises about where to put KPJ. The obvious answer is at the 2 unless that is where Green plays. Either way the Rockets would have one of Green or KPJ at the 3 where their athletic gifts are somewhat squandered against bigger, longer guys. So positionally Green could be a problem. But even if KPJ at the 1 works, can these two ball dominant guys coexist? James and CP worked because they had already made their names and were more interested in sacrificing for the team to win at that point in their careers. I dont think you can expect that from KPJ or Green soon. So there seems to be potential conflict with Green and KPJ. Just generally, the Rockets have a guard glut. KPJ is going to play heavy minutes but they also need to showcase Wall and Gordon. Augustin is probably the best point guard on the team and Khyri Thomas the best backcourt defender so both of them will get run too. Armoni Brooks is a KPJ favorite and, perhaps, the best pure shooter on the team so they need to find him minutes. That is just too many guys for those 2 spots. They might be able to find minutes at the 3 but Tate and KMart should be taking most of those as well (and the Rockets shouldnt be looking to play small nearly as often). So there is no obvious way to get Green on the court without sacrificing somewhere. If Green is the better player I get saying f*** it and choosing him. KPJ-Green will work or KPJ will be moved. The rest of the roster is the same. If he is selected then Green becomes the singularly most important player on the roster. His development supersedes all other players. The rest of the roster either compliments Green or it is moved.
Watch the video where Jalen Green analyzes his performance in the GLeague, then watch the video of Evan Mobley showing off this trophy shrine in his mansion, then tell me who you want.
19 years old and he still lags Kobe Bryant in his prime, skills-wise? It's over. Shut the door, you're letting in The Draft.
James Harden has had some pretty awful games in a Rockets uniform. The Nets probably made a highlight reel of his lazy plays and bad shots to soften our demands.
I watched Middleton for the first time last night... it was one game, but this dude sucks. He can't score the ball,... went 1 for 6 from the 3 point line. Same with Ayton... he let Giannis drop 42 on him. At one point Ayton was doing so bad that the coach had to give him a pep talk. These NBA players suck. I know it was 1 game and the only game I've ever seen of them in my life, but I am pretty sure that's just how these players are.
A lot has been made of Mobley's size/bulk... but when it comes to defense, I think this will be a pretty interesting factor for Green as well. He's already shown a strong desire to get better, at both ends of the floor. he got better throughout the gleague season at defense, but certainly still had some mental lapses, and if both are giving 100% effort, there's obviously little way Green will ever be as good defensively as Mobley. But if you look at Green in highschool, where he was rail thin, to the end of the g league season, where he has already bulked up a bit, you see some progression in size. With size/bulk, he will be able to do a better job helping on the interior, no getting bumped on drives, that sort of thing... being more physical. For now, his improvement has come in slowly getting better at defensive awareness, and using his athleticism/quick hands. Certainly no guarantee he'll ever be better than average on defense... but that's a risk I'm willing to take. He can become average+ in time (or better), and the offensive upside is too high to ignore. Steph also sucks on defense, relatively speaking.
I don't find it shocking that these guys aren't perfectly NBA-ready, considering their ages and experience levels. But how often does a rookie step in and dominate? Kareem and Jordan? Sure, but Kareem had 4 years of college and MJ had 2. LeBron is a recent example, but there was never any doubt about him. Luka was a surprise, though. If we take Green and he gives us 15ppg next year, I'll be thrilled. With Mobley, I'd settle for 10/7 and a couple of blocks, while avoiding foul trouble.
