To put it in perspective, Cam wasn't even the high scorer for this game. But he's a bad bad man if that 3 point shot stays this sweet in the NBA.
3rd game. One of those nights where he got hot ..... shot 8 of 10 from distance. His scoring in the first 10 games - 9 9 30 10 13 7 24 16 9 9 The team was 1 and 9 over that span and eventually went 2-16 before Jalen sat the next 14 games, of which they won 8 including 6 in a row.
If someone has the clip to post it'd be great. Cam had a vicious slam for the Vipers tonight. It was so nasty, it made number 5 on Sports center top plays
Absolutes get responses, and replies I've found. Likes... maybe not so much. .... The best info we've had in regards to the front office's thinking is probably coming from Clutch, and all he's really said is they have been disappointed that they haven't seen year over year progress in both the stats, data, and visible skillset. That secondhand intel is interesting but it doesn't definitively tell us any decisions are imminent. If Stone, and co. are logical, and objective about Jalen, it seems obvious to me that yes... Jalen would be AVAILABLE, and possibly even shopped a bit. However I don't think it's a slam dunk that he's aggressively or desperately being shopped. It's also possible that Stone and co. are at the same time aggressively working with his agent on an extension to agree to at a hometown discount just to both remove that distraction from Jalen, and also put the team in a place to feel comfortable they have a suitable contract that they feel like they have flexibility to maneuver around long term. My guess is the Jalen situation is in flux, but nobody is super desperate to do anything at the moment. The week before the trade deadline.... maybe things heat up a bit more, but now in December, speaking in absolutes about Jalen and the Rockets is just itching for clickbait replies IMO.
Wasn't there news out that Udoka was asked as a newcomer's question if they should have kept Green and if Udoka said No, then there would have been serious talks about moving him....that in itself is a sign.
That about mirrors my own thoughts. I think the Rockets FO are playing the waiting game. Waiting to see if Jalen sinks or swims. I dont think they do anything with him until they decide which it is.
I can really only put myself in Stone's shoes, and if I do that, I would make it a point to clarify to Jalen, his agent, and the coaching staff that December and January are very important months for Jalen. Say that you don't want to put pressure on him, but the data suggests, and the Rockets player development & coaches all are in agreement that if your play does not see improvement in X,Y, and Z areas that it's likely that by the end of January, it makes sense to change up his role in the offense. Encourage him, and say that you still believe he has the talent to be an all-star. However there are tangible improvements he'd have to make and let him know exactly what those areas are. In that meeting I'm sure the question would be asked about a trade before the deadline by Jalen and/or his agent if he's moved to the bench. You then need to be ready to be frank with him that yes... it's a possibility with everyone, and if we don't see the improvement by the end of January then we do have to start thinking about our options. It's just my mgmt. style to be up front and set the appropriate expectations in these type of situations. I've had people that have worked on my team in this same situation performance wise (in corporate America of course), and this is an important time regardless to have good communication, and set expectations for what comes next. That way people know that they have time, and know exactly what they need to do in that timeframe. The pressure valve is released at the same time as the effort & focus level increase. I would hope Stone is doing that, and it creates positive results where Jalen steps up his game.... but I'm not holding out hope because I personally am not a huge believer in Stone's leadership abilities, and decision making.
If that news dropped, I must have missed it. Either way, if someone in the media did ask that question, there's not a coach in the league that would say that. If that question was posed in an interview by Stone, I think that's a very unprofessional question to ask IMO.
I tend to believe the conversation you outline has already occurred in the thoughts of those involved, perhaps in reality. What may tip the balance come February is the development of Cam. If he is ready to contribute significant minutes by then, it will be easier for the FO to cut ties with Jalen if Jalen is still struggling then.
I think it was something certain media members leaked months after Ime took over and more as an inside info that did not leak right away. Along with him saying why he was opposed to the Harden signing.
This won't be the last time we'll see Whitmore put someone under the stanchion with a dunk. @jim1961 posted this one first. Spectacular.
Some of the worst employees are those that "turn it on" when they feel that the fire is getting closer. Jalen has consistently been like this for the most part and then once the games stop mattering, goes off for 30+ per night. That has more to do with teams no longer trying. They're not trying as hard to get him into making bad decisions, pressuring, etc. I think the writing is already on the wall. It's been on the wall for players like Wood, KPj, Nix, Mathews, and now probably Jalen Green. The staff sees him every day so I'm sure they know things we dont. But I have eyeballs too. Amen needs reps with the first team. He's a smart kid. He's a much much MUCH more capable basketball mind than Jalen. He's also a much more problematic physical presence on the defensive side of the ball. Of the starting 5, Jalen is clearly the odd man out. Now what to make of this information? Will the team approach his agent and just say "you know what, he's going to the bench." and see how they respond. Maybe he won't be happy about it and we can trade him like the Thunder traded Harden. Let another team think they can fix him. What can we trade Jalen for though that's out there? It needs to be someone that's coming off the bench. Mikhal Bridges or anyone of that caliber isn't coming off the pine.
My question is why isn't Bullock getting any playing time? Why did we sign him to not give him minutes and send Whitmore to the G League? Something has got to give in this situation. I see a move of trading Bullock and moving Whitmore up. The only thing keeping Bullock here might be the fact that he signed for the veteran minimum and it might be because he wanted to be close to the island he bought in Belize. Kind of a weird situation.
