This isn't a correlation vs. causation argument. It doesn't matter WHY Jalen Green is an abysmal when he's not shooting much. It just matters that he is very inefficient in low volume. Hence you can't just reduce his role by 30% and expect him to be more efficient like with a lot of NBA role players. He's truly a boom or bust guy.
The reason why I say the Rockets favor Jalen is the same way Boston favors Tatum. If you ask me who's better between Brown and Tatum, to me its Brown. But Tatum has marketability to the AVG FAN. They don't care about the SERIOUS FAN, because the serious fan, like you and I, are going to tune in no matter what. If Ime can divise a way to spread the court and highlight Jalen, similar to when Sengun was out, this coming season, he will get his extension. Last yr was about keeping it basic and keeping the ball in Fred's hands and feeding Sengun and it worked to the tune of 41 wins. This yr has to be about Jalen and Jabari. I think Jabari has been forgotten a lot in this pecking order.
That was my point. A GM/HC who trades for the Promise of JG4 is setting themselves up for a CLM. BTW I am in the somewhat optimistic camp, since Udoka benched JG4 in the 4th for not playing D. That got JG4's attention and had the desired effect. For all we know, JG4 is spending the offseason with the Rocket's shooting coach, learning the entire O playbook, ...
Only problem is the big man pulls them into the lane where Jalen likes to operate. One of two things has to happen; 1) The big man has to be able to hit the 3pt shot similar to how Jock Landale did during the win streak Or 2) The SF has to be able to hit the 3pt shot at a consistent clip to not allow help to play off of them and clog the lane. Look at the highlights and see how SPREAD the court was, compared to when the big man was in the lineup.
For me, I am not really sure how much blame to assign to Jalen's first two years. I mean granted, Silas was not ideal. And the whole culture at the time wasn't either. But regardless, Jalen now, earned or not, has his work cut out for him. Fairly or not, he has the first few months of this coming season to show he belongs or not. That is a lot of pressure. Despite my criticism of his play, I feel badly for him that his tenure with the Rockets, perhaps his whole career, may be defined by a mere few months. But it is what it is, and the Rockets have pressure of their own in the form of RFA looming and FA that follows. They have to make a decision, and they don't have a ton of time to make it.
To me, it's not so much about blame. Players with real talents will eventually develop. It's about slowing down the trajectory for assessment. After 3 seasons, we should have a pretty clear picture which tiers Jalen and Sengun should be viewed in the NBA pecking order. Most of the players in their class have pretty much settled in, franchise player, all-star, high end role player, mediocre, bust, etc. But we are still debating the future of Jalen and Alpi. There's a reason why the rookie contract is set at four years. Teams should be able to determine the next step by the fourth season. The Rockets are still hanging in the air because of the wasted time in the first two years.
I do think he's already shown enough that he could probably be a good microwave scorer off the bench (with the ball in his hands a lot while on the court). He should have an easier time against bench units. However, I doubt he would be willing or able to play that role for the Rockets after three years as a locked-in starter. It would probably have to be for a different team.
I’m not too worried about it. If we get one solid vet who can be part of a championship core (thinking Caruso) that would be great at the deadline. We have plenty of potential all star level players.
If he's once again not working out as a lead guy after 2-3 months, I do hope the Rockets at least try him in that 6th man position. It's as you say does he have the mindset and the attitude to take the new role? If he misses his first 5 shots and gets benched again does he get pissed? I don't know the answer either. We may find out though if he once again start as slow as last season.
I know many people thought last year was his make or break year but honestly This is. In all seriousness - only half the year If he does not BREAK OUT/BE CONSISTENT by Feb . . . . I would shop him He will have to be a 20~25 pt 5 Asst low TO defensively decent guy or I shop him at the trade deadline Rocket River
If he sucks yet again, would there be ANY market for him? They looked to move him last trade deadline and found no takers, I think it would be even worse after yet another year of failure.
Reading clutch fans is depressing. No way for players to prove pessimists wrong at this part of the year so it's just spammed regurgitated talking points from people like me and those who don't like the guy and it's getting boring and monotonous at this point. There are only so many ways people who don't like Green can say they feel bleak about his future and only so many ways people who like the guy can explain how they are haters. There are only so many ways people. I'm sure everyone has memorized the talking points individual posters here have of Green by this point. Only so many times the same posters talk about giving Green another half season before being traded. Only so many ways you can say that sentence.
I think it depends on where he lands next. If he ends up in a Detroit or Sacramento, then I am very pessimistic. But if he somehow goes to Miami or San Antonio, then I could see a random all star appearance.
We'll have a much clearer read on which of us are the Jalen optimists, and which are the Jalen pessimists, when the Rockets trade him. Those of you who end up dismayed or disappointed with what we get in return are the Jalen optimists.
The poll is very like JG's career, all over the place. I voted somewhat optimistic. Make the poll public. I want to see names!
Now I know qualifying my pessimism as “somewhat” was the right call for me This is like a verse written by Poe lol
At this point I feel he'll make a good role player. Not the guy you want to give the keys to and think he'll bring you a championship. I dont' think he's wired that way.
This is a better poll compared to Booby's. Somewhat optimistic. Green has shown he is able to put up superstar like numbers and he has sht games. Shown improvement under ime. I just can't see how a player at 22 years old can't improve into becoming an even better player
