Houston decided to play for time with its axis composed of Jalen Green And Alperen Sengun. Both are eligible for a maximum extension this summer, but the Texas franchise would have to wait until next season to position itself, while both players will still be “protected free agents”, and the Rockets will be able to match any outside offer to extend them.
The situation could be tense, since their 2021 Draft comrades like Scottie Barnes or Cade Cunningham have already hit the jackpot. But that's not the way of seeing things Jalen Greenwho intends to take advantage of this season to smash everything. The 2024/25 season is all he has in mind for now.
“The main thing I'm focused on is the upcoming season and what we're going to do with the players, get to the playoffs and go as far as we can,” he told the Houston Chronicle on the sidelines of his “Jalen Green Youth Basketball Camp” which is being held this weekend in Houston. “We build this camaraderie, that’s just who we are. That’s all I’m focusing on right now. The rest will take care of itself.”
A leader's speech (and actions)
To demonstrate his commitment, Jalen Green organized a mini training camp in Los Angeles a month ago with several of his teammates including Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr, Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard, third pick in the last Draft. It was also a way to strengthen ties between the young players on the team.
“We were just on the field, playing, improving our cohesion. That's the most important thing now, working to progress, all together, as a team.”, he added. “We finished last season really well. We’re all on the same page, we know what it takes to win. We know what we can do if we play hard. I think we know what we have to do to prepare for this season, from start to finish. Hopefully it takes us all the way to the playoffs.”
The Rockets had indeed finished the season like a cannonball with 16 victories in their last 23 games. The idea is therefore to start again with the same dynamic with a view to making the playoffs.
“If we do this from the beginning, if I am at my level from the beginning and if the team is at my level too, we will be in the playoffs.”he assured. And the rest will follow…
| Jalen Green | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | WHOA | 67 | 32 | 42.6 | 34.3 | 79.7 | 0.5 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 17.3 |
| 2022-23 | WHOA | 76 | 34 | 41.6 | 33.8 | 78.6 | 0.6 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 2.6 | 0.2 | 22.1 |
| 2023-24 | WHOA | 82 | 32 | 42.3 | 33.2 | 80.4 | 0.5 | 4.7 | 5.2 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 19.6 |
| Total | 225 | 33 | 42.1 | 33.7 | 79.4 | 0.5 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 19.8 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
