Since 2022-2023 FVV and JG are first and second in the league for...

Yeah, NBA.com tracks the potential assists per game for every player in the NBA. Not sure what I said wrong there.

And yes, Jalen has undoubtedly probably ruined some potential assists for his teammates as well but my point in bringing that up was to say Jalen isn’t as bad of a playmaker as he’s made out to be. I have watched every Rockets game this season and the NBA.com stats just confirmed what I’ve been seeing the whole time which is a lot of Jalen’s assist numbers are deflated due to poor shooting. This also tracks with how he averaged close to 4 assists a game the past two seasons but now has regressed to 2.7 a game.

Not saying Jalen been great or perfect this season by any means but y’all gotta learn how to properly contextualize his stats.

 

I really don't think you want to go here. I looked at the leaderboards for potential assists in nba.com, Jalen Green is ranked #82 among guards, around such notable playmakers like KPJ and Tre Mann and Ty Jerome.

So yes, he really is as bad of a playmaker as Rockets fans think he is.

 

The thing is, there are much better shooting guards in the league. I hope we trade him for one after this season if he doesn't make a huge step forward. That's what it would take for him to be the SG that could be a difference maker on offense. Even if you completely disregard his poor shooting efficiency. Green is ranked 99th among qualified shooting guards in the percentage of a player's possessions that end in an assist. He is also ranked 83rd among shooting guards in the percentage of a player's possessions that end in a turnover. I know many disagree, and that's their choice. It's fine to hope, but that is getting old. I just don't see him as the kind of SG that you can count on day in and day out to be invaluable to our team.

 

Good defense - and severe improvement needed on offense. Stop simping.

 

I never said he was the best playmaker so I don’t get your point here. Also Tre Mann and Ty Jerome are both quality rotation guards in the league so mentioning them like that’s bad company is weird. I don’t even know why you’re trying to compare him to only guards when he isn’t a point guard. Compare him to SGs only.

 

Well even let's assume it's ok for Jalen to be at the level of playmaking as a Mann or Jerome, that still doesn't change the fact that he's a much worse shooter than both of these guys and he will be making $35mil/yr for the next 3 years.

 

You should have said that opinion in the original post

 

Rafael needs to take away the teacher’s pet.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6003823/2024/12/22/rockets-fred-vanvleet-shooting-woes/

… Still, I believe VanVleet’s recent shooting struggles are a casualty of a) overreliance by Rockets coach Ime Udoka and b) the lack of a fluid offensive system.

Udoka’s trust in VanVleet correlates to how often he’s on the floor and the responsibilities he’s given, but you could argue it’s wearing on the veteran guard. In the last three weeks alone, VanVleet is averaging nearly 40 minutes a game, including two outings of 42 minutes and one of 45(!) minutes. He missed the Dec. 8 LA Clippers game with knee soreness and hasn’t looked right since returning, shooting 6-for-28 from the field and 3-for-20 from deep. On Thursday, VanVleet converted just two of his seven outside attempts against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Against the lowly Pelicans, VanVleet played the entire first quarter and ended up with 35 minutes in a 20-point blowout. It didn’t matter that the Rockets were facing the worst team in the Western Conference, Udoka’s dependence on VanVleet is unrelenting.

…VanVleet’s catch-and-shoot attempts this season are down. According to NBA.com tracking data, he’s averaging a shade over three per game this season. Before arriving in Houston, VanVleet enjoyed a healthy amount of such shots:

• 2020-21: 4.9 3s
• 2021-22: 4.6
• 2022-23: 4.3

For reference, according to Synergy, 7 percent of VanVleet’s offense in 2021 came off screens, 19.1 percent came on spot-up looks and 34 percent came as a pick-and-roll ballhandler. In his two seasons in Houston, those numbers have changed drastically: 2.8 percent off screens, 15.8 percent off spot-ups and 40.9 percent coming via pick-and-roll.

Spoiler

“It’s been a big difference,” VanVleet told The Athletic. It’s a different role. My game has changed a lot in the last year or so, but my goal coming in was to bring guys along with me. I think ultimately we’ll have multiple guys that can get us into sets, initiate offense and create shots for me. But starting off, Coach (Udoka) put the onus on me to handle the ball, get us settled down and into spots. I’ve been doing that, something that’s been different for me, but something I’m enjoying.

“It gives me a different approach in terms of how I need to get my own offense. That’s why it’s been a little inconsistent at times. But I’ll find my way and continue to shoot the ball better — and the numbers will look better.”

There needs to be more variety in the Rockets’ half-court offensive scheme — quicker actions, more off-ball screens and faster tempo — but lessening the load on VanVleet should be a priority. And it doesn’t require a complete overhaul of what’s already in place.

Everything boils down to managing not only how often VanVleet is on the floor, but also how he’s utilized when he is. Currently, the Rockets have him on a “12-6-12-6” plan, meaning he’s on the court for the duration of the first and third quarters and six minutes in the second and fourth. According to Cleaning the Glass, VanVleet’s usage of 21.8 percent is the lowest it’s been in six seasons, yet his 99.2 points per 100 shot attempts is nearly 17 points less than last season and the lowest since his rookie season.

“That would be the perfect formula,” Udoka said. “Take some of the stress off him. Alperen’s a hub down in the post that creates shots for other guys, but the more Amen (Thompson), Dillon (Brooks), Tari (Eason), Jalen (Green) and those guys grow, he can play off ball and be the recipient of some of those easy shots — which will be beneficial for him. Obviously, to keep his legs fresh throughout the game. You want to be the recipient of some catch-and-shoot (looks) and easy shots, instead of having to be the initiator or creator every time.”