You forgot the midrange, the floaters, the finger rolls, the running hooks, shake and bakes, the palming the ball...... The shooting, the handles
One of the most frustrating things is that changing speed is the EASIEST to do, fast, slow down, fast, slow down. The handful of times he's done it it's created huge separation for him cause defenders are so used to him attacking full speed. He literally has no moves, and let's not talk about his stagnant crossovers where he literally stays on the same spot trying to shimmy LOL.
You can watch him work on it at another team. Take as many years as you need. Give you another 20 more years if you'd like.
I made a post in jest a long time ago that “haha at least Jalen wouldn’t be our OJ Mayo”—highly touted prospect that ended up ok at best. Do I think Jalen is better than OJ, even now? Probably..? But unless something drastic changes their career arcs are going to end up awfully similar.
At some point you have to admit Jalen just isn't the smartest player out there. Ant is also 23 but he plays like Albert Einstein compared to Jalen. His loose handles and lack of physical strength still plague him even though he's put on a lot of muscle over his first 4 seasons. Jalen is also very inefficient and always will be. Lack of awareness of one's own limitations is a mindset that is a part his programming. Lastly, Jalen is mentally weak. He admitted that is why he failed in game 1 AFTER he destroyed GS in game 2. The rest of the series? They didn't do much different and he reverted back to game 1 form because that's just who he is. By contrast, Amen started slowly but he learned and improved as the series progressed and was the best player on the team in game 7. Jalen is not the SG the Rockets need going forward. His position is the most obvious one the Rockets must upgrade this summer.
That is why I never bought into this gym rat thing because all the players work hard getting into the best league. Those who work on things that work in games are the smart ones.
Yeah, I'm going through historical records and comparisons for a first playoff experience and it doesn't look great for Jalen versus his comps. He may be more RJ Barrett or maybe Wiggins in his development than his comparisons if there isn't improvement next year. A third option role player perhaps. We'll see what happens but he needed a better showing than this, almost all the other comps even at younger ages had better showings. I don't know if he has the mental strength or obsessiveness to be great that can fulfill his potential. This is feelings aside and attempting to be objective, I would honestly have to keep the phones open after checking the data.
If Jalen had finished the series strong, at least people would've been able to give him excuses like "Oh, it was his first playoff series and he struggled but I bet he'll work hard over the summer and come back infinitely better!" But there's really no excuse. He needs to turn his socials back on and see all the hate that he's about to receive. Maybe it'll be motivation, maybe it'll destroy him...maybe he's already gone and Stone has trades lined up. But ****ing hell he was a mess this series. It would take a LOT to engender goodwill again after this.
I already said JG needs to be coached up - He played AAU ball, and that horrible development league … he needed to goto college .. that 1 year of college coaching would of helped his game so much - he would know how to navigate zones better and get to his spots (vs just being more athletic than others ) Kuminga is in same boat on GS - We need a vet SG also on sideline to help him out - I’m not giving up on a 23yr old who made a multi time championship coach scheme to shut him down, that’s stupid Now this offseason he needs to put in the work - next year is my judgement year - he’s had his first taste of playoffs
Jamal Crawford also this skinny dude didn't freeze when he came off the bench but made it his calling and he scored when team needed him to. 3x Sixth Man of the league, almost a 4th time
He's had two years to be "coached up" and hasn't made much of any progress on offense. There won't be some magical jump next season that makes him efficient, way better handles, mentally tougher and a better shooter. Offseason coaching can't solve all problems. If Jalen wasn't serious about improving last summer, it's time to move on. He had ONE good month on offense this season (January). IMO, Jalen's best role is as a 6th man scorer where his responsibility isn't so great. He'll never be the elite SG guard the Rockets need.
JG went from mid 30s to 40% catch and shooting 3s He became a better playmaker and defender this year the coaching he needs is XOs and developing a floater and goto move in midrange his first 2 seasons under Silas they spent the whole time trying to change his shot (Lucas) and they weren’t looking for him to be Alpha
That'd be too complicated. If he just learned those two things, he'd be a good starting shooting guard. He can add those other things gradually as he enters his prime. But without those two things, his game is at the mercy of how hot his shooting is.
He's had 4 years to develop something other than dribble fast and drive straight. You're just too blind to see the truth.
Still find excuses for Jalen? Lol Dude is the worst player in playoffs. Even that 2nd round rookie Post is better than Jalen. Totally bust. Jalen needs to get out of Houston.
If he mastered one thing, he could be Jamal Crawford lite but I think his biggest hindrance is that in his brain he is Kobe.......that is the biggest plight. The mental aspect is very lacking. He is a chucker with no substance. He thinks he is Kobe way before he mastered anything. That is also very hard for any GM to position him in any trades and hierarchy. I have no idea how a Gen Z can effectively humble himself......try converting to Islam?
To his credit he did show signs of improvement in those areas at times but they didn't become standard tools in his bag. Nobody would have thought he would be exposed this badly. The lack the skills you mentioned combined with a defense who plans for him combined with mental weakness, completely erased him.
Jalen is perfect on the Hornets, a team that has no championship aspirations. He can go average 20ppg there for the rest of his career.
