Its going to be interesting on Sunday when they matchup against each other. Obviously, Ja has the better team at this point but I want to see the intricacy of their play and what Jalen has to work on.
Ja Morant is literally running point on that team. There is no way Jalen could run the point IMO, only other reason the Rockets get rid all of their PGs including KPJ, not seeing that. Jalen would be leading the team as a spiritual leader, scoring 27 ppg and flying around high up in his 3rd year. I think evetually Jabari, Chet or a trade target would take over.
This is where I agree, why are we comparing the two? Different positions and Ja Morant's father had been grooming Ja to play point for years. It's not fair to expect the two to be equal at this point. Different responsibilities. ------------------------------------------------------- Now having said that, Jalen was being weened to run point earlier in the season when they were force feeding him PnR plays with no spacing during the first 18 games.....time when Theis was starting and you had: *Theis/Tate unable to hit 3's *Wood decided to go on strike and shot about 16% from 3 to get Theis out of there *Porter/Green so focused on learning PG skills that they forgot their SG skills. Rockets shelved the Green PG stuff in favor of stashing in him the corner. Similar to what we did with Ty Lawson. But Green needs to learn hesitation dribbling (change of pace), dribbling at different heights, protecting the ball better with his off hand/arm. But this is why I wold like to shelve Porter for the rest of the season. Let Green learn. And we tank at the same time as he will make errors. To be expected. Unfortunately for you, I believe it's the Rockets grand plan to have Green also learning point guard skills so that they can have the Rockets version of the 6'6"-ish Dame & McCollum dueling banjos type thing. I want that as well and see dynasty if they can get it going. So worth the wait in my eyes. ----------------------------------------------------------------- So in summary, yes, I see why the two are being compared; but no, I don't think the two should be compared....right now.
As we can see, Morant's father put in the time with his son and the Grizz are reaping in the rewards right now. I'm hoping Jalen can get there as well some day. The tools are there for both.
He'll be a superstar. My question is when he DOES become a star, will he defer to Sengun our best player?
Ja Morant is terrific, pump the brakes on all time great though. The hope is Green is one of those guys that takes quantum leaps in the next few years, and it wouldn't be even close to unprecedented given how young and raw he is. Year 2 will be a major tell, but I'm encouraged with the growth he has shown lately. Now if he can get his agent to educate him on the CBA and rookie contract scale. You can't hold out for a "max contract" after year 1, my man.
Most important thing Dillan Brooks, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke are better than what we have. Adams, Anderson, Tilly, Tilman..... Morant has a much better, more cohesive unit, play in tested.
No doubt, there are a lot of factors to consider: *Years of experience in the league (Ja's 3rd season) Rookie (19/20), (20/21), and current season (21/22) *Injuries *Travel in the NBA can take a toll. *Experience of those around you (teammates). Grizz, Cavs. Jarrett Allen got a few games last season in Cleveland, Sexton, Garland, Okoro, K-Love, Cedi Osman, Rubio and then add a vet in L Markkanen/Rondo and Mobley just slides into the mix. Just like when Jabari Smith or Chet or Banchero join next season. It becomes an easier transition to the NBA. The group of Kenyon, Tate, Green, Christopher, Sengun will be better in Greens and Senguns third season than it is now. As illustrated in that study I posted which showed PER being lower on the average at age 19, 20 and 21; but then increasing about 6 points near age 25.
Yes. I think they can be compared to one another without playing the same position. Similar to Bird and Magic, MJ and Dominic Wilkins. Obviously. Green has a ways to go but I think he has shown he is progressing at a high level. Considering he's just a yr and a half removed from High School....I'm excited.
THis is literally TRUTH......I recall my son playing All stars in Little League, and it was literally just the kids whose fathers played catch with them or taught them at home. My son dedicated himself to Soccer - and trained with private trainers for 12+ years and got a D1 offers to Michigan, Umass, Duke and a few others......all because of the work put in on the side. 10,000 hours to hone your craft.....get started sooner than later. DD
I don't disagree with the excited part and their body structures and leaping abilities are comparable; but I tend to tone down the comparing Quarterback to Receiver matching. Yes, Green has been somewhat trained this season, it's nothing like what he needs. There are horsemen that lead the attack - point guards and There are artillery men who provide cover fire- shooting guards Not all are created equal. Some shooting guards (Beal) attack and pass better than some PG's (Beverley) Some Point Guards (Curry) shoot better than some SG's (Tony Allen) Yeah we are probably dealing with shades of grey here. I glad you are passionate about the matter or topic. Green just has a way to go where he is quarterbacking the team. Morant has been doing it for longer. Puts Morant closer to the rim more often.....so shots near the rim should favor Ja where Green is asked to provide spacing more often. Thus Green has more attempts from 3. Morant drives and kicks.....Jalen receives those kicks far more than drives. But sure, knock yourself out. I for one don't compare Magic and Bird.
Magic and Bird will always be compared. They were both great passers and team leaders but played different positions.
It is more of a metaphor for putting in the extra work with trainers, and practices, etc......in a skill game like Basketball or soccer, it matters a LOT that you learn how to dribble with left and right hands, learn how to shoot with left and right hands.....it makes you that much better because people have no idea where you are going, and you can use that to go wherever you want to on the floor. Huge advantage. DD
Yes and each was expected to do different things for their individual teams. according to basketball-reference.com Jalen Green has logged in approximately 25% of his time at PG.....Ja Morant 96% his first year. So Ja is the orchestrator and Jalen is more part of the percussion section. That's Joe Montana to Jerry Rice are they equal?....just because Rice threw the ball a few times does not make him quarterback of the team. _______________________ But I'm not saying Green won't get there. Here are some of the numbers: Stat....(21/22) Jalen../...Ja Morant (19/20-rookie) TO's Bad Pass................45 / 121 *see minutes below Lost Ball..................36 / 58 *see minutes below Offensive Foul...........9 / 9 *see minutes below TO%....................12.9% / 17.0% USG%.................22.7% / 25.9% Ast%...................11.8% / 35.2% Minutes...............1456 / *2074 Silas needs to give Green the chance to show he can potentially be Ja. That means get the ball out of Wood's hands and Porter's and Eric Gordon's. See more Green PnR with Sengun with shooters on the perimeter.
Also Ja looks great now but he also plays recklessly. Injuries may pile up on him especially given that he's got a slight frame.
