HIt a snag, Alperen had slew of bad games, the opponent got stronger, more away games again. Those dogs that fueled the run, were not as sharp as before. I think it is mostly a coming down to earth effect. I liked Ego's performance but he is no superstar, so I understand if he is going to brick again.
CHICAGO — Rockets guard Jalen Green still considers the first two weeks of his rehab, when he could not play at all, to be the toughest part of the process. But assistant coach John Lucas gave it his best full-volume effort to push Green through later workouts that made the training room grind seem like the good old days. Green can laugh now, with ample evidence to believe he is ready when he returns to games on Thursday when the Rockets face the Pacers in Indianapolis. “The fact that I came back from a hamstring injury in four weeks and I’m coming in and doing the things I am right now, it’s just a blessing,” Green said. “It’s going to be so much easier when the games start.” Green and Rockets coach Stephen Silas did not specify the game the Rockets are targeting for Green to play for the first time since he was hurt Nov. 24 against the Bulls, though Silas said the Rockets “anticipate” Green he would play in one of the next two games. The Rockets, however, expect Green to play on Thursday, a person with knowledge of the team’s plan said. “We just know I’m coming back soon,” Green said. Green went through all of Tuesday’s practice at the University of Chicago-Illinois, before playing an extended session of three-on-three and then driving through individual workouts that ended with him sprinting after loose balls that Lucas bowled from a baseline to midcourt. Demanding as games can be when adrenaline and competition conspire to drive efforts, it will be hard for even games to match the workouts. But that gave Green reason to believe he was ready for whatever will come next. “Playing is not as hard as the workout,” Green said. “That’s what it’s supposed to be so it’s easier when you get into the game. It’s all part of the plan and I’m here for it. “When you’re with John Lucas, you’re going to be tired at the end of the workout.” That was enough for the Rockets to believe Green has progressed as far as he can in the controlled environment of practices. But Lucas and the training staff could push Green hard because they had become convinced that he was ready for that, as his work in Tuesday’s practice demonstrated. “We really won’t know until he plays but he’s doing everything he needs to do to be back,” Silas said. “He has no restrictions. He is not favoring it at all. But it’s going to take him playing a game to really see. “He looked good. He’s working his way back in shape. He’s progressing. I don’t see any limitations right now. We’re going to figure out what’s going to happen in these next two games.” His return will lead to changes. Silas has said that Green and Kevin Porter Jr. (bruised thigh), who also went through the three-on-three portion of Tuesday’s workout, will reclaim their starting positions when they return. That will turn starters Armoni Brooks and Garrison Mathews back into reserves. But it also brings excitement to have such important players return to the lineup. “It is uplifting,” Silas said. “We’ll be whole and we’ll be deeper. But there is a role change for some guys which isn’t always great to deal with. As a group we’re excited but people have to be prepared to get less minutes and maybe not be starting.” The Rockets ended their 15-game losing streak on the night Green was hurt, a game against the Bulls in which he had gotten off to a fast start, scoring 11 points in 10½ minutes. Including that win, they have gone 9-5 since he was hurt, improved play that he said he can use. “I just learned rotations on defense, knowing where to be,” Green said. “I saw all the guys talking, listening to them come back in the huddle, what their main focus is. And then the spacing on the floor, making reads.” Green’s enthusiasm was evident throughout the final stages of the process. There was relief, he said, to see what he could do without setbacks. But there was also simple happiness each time a restriction on his activity was lifted as he recovered from the first significant injury of his career. “I think that probably that first two weeks when I couldn’t get on the court, just doing strengthening and recovering, that was probably the hardest for me,” Green said. “It was pretty frustrating. “It’s pretty hard to be patient. It’s all part of the plan at the end of the day. I’m trying to be 100 percent to make sure this injury doesn’t come back or keep lingering. I’m a little bit impatient but I’m thankful at the same time.” The other change since he went out was the Rockets’ move to waive Danuel House Jr., freeing Green’s preferred number four. Green pointed to the tattoo of the number that he still calls “my number,” though he noted that changes are not permitted during a season. “I’d like to have my number back but I’m not in a rush right now,” Green said. “We’re going to figure it out. “I have other things to worry about.”
Here it will probably be more like a "Festivus" miracle, complete with the "Airing of Grievances". And I imagine that here on Clutchfans there will probably be much airing going on after that first game back!
Lol @ “I learned the defense , I watch watching everyone communicating” yeah bro everyone but you was doing that lol His effort level was good , but watching guys communicate and actually being up to speed yourself and doing that are 2 separate things entirely
How deep is pro level defense really? Like the guy in the middle says he got you if he got you. Which direction the pick is coming and switch up if y'all switchin. Someone on the bench yells backdoor if you let your man go...
All. Damn. Season. The worst thing for both sides would be if he has some 5/10 shooting game and scores 14 points on 1/2 on 3's. Nothing to tear into him for and nothing to scream he's the Promised One about. Both sides are going to be depressed and waiting for the next game.
Really rooting for him to be great. I'm excited to see him back in the newly spaced offense without Tate/Theis/Wood on the court with him 90% of the time. Show me Jalen with Armoni and Garry Bird.
Yeah I am mad. I get mad every time I see Jalen brick a wide open shot. As you can imagine, I'm mad an awful lot.
Yes, it was Jalens fault. The fear of him coming back and sending someone to the bench struck a cord with one of our backcourt players. @Os Trigonum
