https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/st...1-nba-breakout-players-tiers-2024-2025-season Tier 2: Not quite All-Stars, but they're on the brink Here are three players on the cusp of stardom who happen to share the same name. (Apologies to other notable Jalens, including Suggs and Duren.) Jalen Green, Houston Rockets There's some common thought around the league that the Rockets are primed to take a step forward this season. Houston has collected an enviable amount of talent over the past handful of drafts. The funny thing about these newfound expectations is that there is also a level of uncertainty around which of Houston's young players will make the leap next. Alperen Sengun's production is already there. Amen Thompson is one of the league's most exciting prospects. Jabari Smith, Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason haven't played their best basketball yet, and Reed Sheppard is coming up in early NBA Rookie of the Year talk. It's unclear how coach Ime Udoka will rotate these guys. Some of them will pop, but inevitably, someone will have to take a back seat. After Green's scorching close to the 2023-24 season, he's the Rockets player I'm personally most curious about. At surface level, his first three seasons haven't shown much statistical progression, underscored by streaky offensive play. Green averaged 27 points per game on 49% shooting in March, playing the best basketball of his career, some of that occurring with Sengun missing time, but impressive nonetheless. Although Green hasn't been a banner of efficiency to this point in his three-year pro career, with shot selection and consistency two things that have challenged him, it did feel like things are clicking. He has always been an electric driver who can make difficult things look easy, but learning to pick his spots and finding consistency has been a slow roll. Perimeter players in Green's mold -- hyper-athletic scorers who have to learn to slow things down at the NBA level (think Zach LaVine) -- tend to take time. Houston has a lot of mouths to feed, but if Green can build on last season's progress, he should be in for his best season yet. Green, 22, will be entering a contract year if he and the Rockets don't agree to an extension before Oct. 21. The Rockets have a lot to sort out, but if Green, who has the shot-creation chops and scoring talent, can put together his most complete season yet, he could be the one who carries them most often. Spoiler Tier 1: Potential All-Star leaps The pieces are in place for these two players to break through as full-fledged stars. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic Tier 2: Not quite All-Stars, but they're on the brink Here are three players on the cusp of stardom who happen to share the same name. (Apologies to other notable Jalens, including Suggs and Duren.) Jalen Green, Houston Rockets Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder Tier 3: Bigger roles incoming These three players are set to take on bigger roles than they've had recently, and they'll get a chance to show their worth, be it with their contracts or their on-court roles. Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets Tier 4: Role players who could make greater impacts Don't expect fireworks or major awards, but these three players are set to make increased impacts on competitive teams. Keon Ellis, Sacramento Kings Tyus Jones, Phoenix Suns Terance Mann, LA Clippers
I think my favorite play of his yesterday was his recognition of Lauri on him and immediately driving to the basket for 2. Liked that decision making. Early on he had a shot at the sideline and turned it over because he second guessed himself. Also had a heat check 3 where he leaned a lil too much from the left elbow but you take those as he was on fire at that moment. Great game to build upon though.
Staying supportive even amidst the fake fan hot takes and downright malicious slander will make reaching the summit that much more rewarding.
He shot surprisingly well for somebody who was traded before the last deadline because the team was 100% done with him...
