This was inspired by a good question. How large are the different camps regarding Jalen's future? Lets find out.
I chose "somewhat pessimistic". I think Jalen has shown considerable growth on defense, and some moderate growth (that's not really showing up in the box scores unfortunately) on his ballhandling, passing, and basketball IQ. However, I still do not see him as an above-average defender, and I'm not sure that he will ever be much above average on that end given his size and so-so wingspan. I'm glad he's no longer a liability on defense, though. I also don't think he will ever be a pass-first type of player--that's not his mindset. My reason for pessimism is that he simply has not shown any consistent improvement as a shooter, while being a player who takes a ton of jump shots. He doesn't seem to be able to stop himself--he's a guy who is going to jack up ten jumpers a game, by hell or high water, and the majority of those are going to be self-created, semi-contested stepback shots. In other words, he plays like a top (#1 or #2) offensive option, but he has not yet shown any sign of being able to consistently make shots efficiently enough to actually drive an offense. Either he needs to become much more selective with his shooting, or he needs to get much better as a shooter, and I lean more toward thinking he won't do either of those things to the degree necessary to be a long-term starter on a championship-level team. (Like 60/40 against.) Right now I'm thinking his median outcome is somewhere between starter on a bad/mediocre team or 6th man on a contender. It's possible he'll take a big leap, which is why I'm only "somewhat pessimistic" about him and not completely down on him, but I wouldn't put money on it.
I would say it’s probably 90% he’s a bust and 10% he works out. Still some hope but 3 years of being absolutely awful is rough
My heart wants to be somewhat optimistic but my head tells me that he only went off those 10 games because a combination of playing bad (or injured) teams/easy schedule and him catching fire (which many players do every now and then, remember Garry Bird?). I'm still holding on a tiny bit of hope we see some extraordinary transformation from him next season but I doubt it. Realistically, I don't think he'll be on this team next year.
On the fence. If he plays well more consistently, Rockets are set. If he doesn't work out, shouldn't be too bad as the Rockets still have 6 guys that could be different makers over what they were last season.
He has not played at a level where he would have warranted minutes on a competitive team. For a bad team sure, but he was on a denver or something he would be an 11th man
Udoka likes JG4, so there is some hope. Last season I still see plays where JG4 is not mentally engage, like not going after a rebound. JG4 did play D last season and Udoka did bench JG4 in the 4th when JG4 did not. I am curious to see how JG4 plays with the full Udoka O playbook.
Hoping fatherhood matures him and helps him lock in... but yeah.. the process so far does not inspire supreme confidence
Looking like a player who will stay in the league but coming off the bench and/or on another team. Jordan Clarkson has a place in this league. Jordan Poole has a place in this league. RJ Barrett has a place in this league. Now whether you want to pay them, their role, how good your team is if they’re one of your three best players… Fans are nervous he’ll go to another team, “figure it out” and “we gave up on a superstar too early because of impatience!” (Despite Jalen having everything handed to him from day one.)
You can add Kelly Oubre to that list. I think being a new father to two kids (three) is not going to help. Jalen has never had a good October and had a good November only once. By December we'll have a good idea of what we have. We may already have a good idea of what we have with him.
As far as I'm concerned JG is an asset that's lkely to depreciate again. I realize some want to see how he does, at least between now and the deadline, But, we've been here before. You have to be willing to risk him breaking out some, in order to lock in profit here. Look at the drop from the beginniing of last season until March. Yeah, he picked it up against lotto teams and others missing key players, then reverted to the mean. (he played some value back in) I realize that Booker is our primary target, and PHX iisn't quite ready yet. But, Jalen's speculative value might not get higher....and could very well decrease. This isn't about "hating".. He is the weak link of our core. I want what's best for the Houston Rockets,
Yes only because it took some greats from the past a while to become great. Also because we saw what he is capable of if he took it to the next level. Even if he worked halfway as hard as Kobe he would be great. Also his production would explode 2 fold once he got rid of the nail polish.
It's a situation where his fans told us we drafted a tiger.... then we had 3 years of seeing him look like a duck, walk like a duck, and quack like a duck.... so now they are telling us he's some super rare species of tiger that looks, quacks, and walks like a duck for several years but he's going to transform soon. I mean, maybe I guess, but it's more than fair to disbelieve at this point.
Somewhat pessimistic. Green isn’t a franchise player but I think he’ll end being a high end SG. A similar level player to Bradley Beal and healthy LaVine which is really good but not good enough to build a team around. At this point in his career he’s a glorified Jeremy Lin with some All Star potential. His super fans are riding the high of his hot streak to end the year but ignore the fast that he was one of the worse starters in the league pre all star break. Literally Jordan Poole level. If Green doesn’t take that leap this year then it’s time to pour time and energy into another young player. He’s been coddled enough.
