Good point, forgot about Vassell's extension. Below are his stats from last year... and he got how much for an extension? According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Vassell and the Spurs have agreed to a five-year extension worth $146 million.
That pretty much set the floor for Green, unless he just lays a dude these next two pivotal growth seasons, we shall see
His handle is much tighter than it was as a rookie so I see no reason why it doesn't continue improving. I want him to be stronger at the rim and smarter with how and when he decides to attack the rim.
This kid is extremely savvy with media. All the right cliches and talking points, doesn’t ever get rattled or off-script.
Really hope we see Jalen on Friday. His shooting was bad, but I really liked his approach to offense in the first two games. I hope that's how he plays this season (but with better shooting form). Keep Josh Christopher away!
Looked good during the "dress rehearsal". Dude makes scoring 20 pts look easy. Not complaining but could have had 25-30... was missed on couple cuts to basket (once by Sengun ) for what would have been easy dunks or lay-ups. But this play made me smile... finally a true point guard creating easy shots for Jalen and others... was refreshing.
He wasn't missed. Sengun was looking at him the entire way (if it's the play I'm thinking of). Sengun just was not confident in getting the pass to him. The only negative I have to say about Green tonight is that exact play - throwing his hands up when he didn't get the ball. I still don't like the body language of him and Jabari when they perceive someone didn't do something right (and Sengun with the refs). Head honcho taught them that was acceptable. Hopefully Udoka can eradicate that from the young guys games. Good game though from Green. He put Sengun in a bad spot early in the game with a bounce pass in traffic that wasn't on, but if he can develop into thinking in quick time when/when not to pass that the team will look so much better. Am quietly optimistic he takes a big leap this year still.
Know we haven't had a regular season game yet, but if we can get this type of production consistently our starting back court has a chance to be elite. Which will be needed if the Rockets are really going to compete for a Play-In\Play-Off spot in this tough Western Conference. Oh and GO 'STROs!!!
Its a fine line between reacting because you care about a potential easy bucket against a team who plays smothering D and gets away with murder on most of their fouls not called..... And reacting/upset and quitting on the team in half court set, Sengun no doubt missed him, not that he wasn't confident in making that pass, which he could have done with his eyes closed, similar to that no look to I think Thompson But they have a good synergy between the two and should be fine moving forward They all should show some form of passion, but leave it on the hardwood/talk it out on bench But I see where you coming from on your side of the coin
I believe Sengun missed the pass, he had Thomas Bryant on him and no doubt still remembers dominating him last year, so he isoed instead and ended in a missed shot. This is the forcing the issue instead of making the simple play we have seen too much of from Sengun this preseason. What stood out to me was what happened after that play, Jalen was visibly upset and threw up his hands, then on the following possession a guard was switched onto Sengun (Herro?), Sengun went across the lane to call for the ball but Jalen ignored him and drove into a turnover instead. That sequence really did accentuate the level of growing up that’s still needed for this group, and the amount of residual selfishness left by head honcho that still needs to be purged by Udoka. In general though I feel like Jalen has been playing much more unselfishly overall, especially focusing on hitting the roller with that pocket pass whenever it’s open which I’m sure Udoka is drilling into him.
I'm happy with the offense, especially the ball movement and cutting. The only reason I mentioned Sengun is because he and Jalen seem to play off of each other well and I've seen him make that pass effortlessly (earlier preseason game - pass to Cam for monster dunk). Unlike later in the game when the ball didn't swing to Jalen while he was open on the weakside and you could see him talking to his teammates about it. I think the culture is changing on this team as I've definitely seen him making an effort to play within the flow of the offense and move the ball quickly. I definitely don't mind him being more vocal on the floor and holding teammates accountable. Also love how both Ime (and coach Sullivan in some cases) are constantly in the younger players ears. Saw him pull Jalen to the side after a defensive possession or two to coach him up. Have seen it for Jabari and saw the same for Sengun, like right before the half coach Sullivan was actually following him along the bench talking to him.
THIS. Throwing up hands after a missed pass for an easy bucket is commonplace on virtually every level, especially among younger guys who tend to be more emotionally invested in regular games. Has nothing to do with KPJ and his immature antics, which fit clearly in your latter definition. If guys were pouting and refusing to get back on D (a KPJ specialty) then there would be serious cause for concern.
