Considered above all as a hope, a very raw talent to be developed since his arrival at the Rockets in 2020, Kevin Porter Jr. is turning a corner in this young 2022/23 season, asserting itself as the undisputed leader of the reconstruction of the Houston club.
If the victories are very rare for a month for the Rockets (3 only in 17 games), “Scoot” has not much to reproach himself from a statistical point of view: he compiles averages of 19.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 16 games played so far, his career high in the top two categories.
Of course, everything is still far from perfect, like any 22-year-old player who officiates in a role of main ball carrier in the NBA, who moreover in a team which loses a (very) large total of games. His decision-making and more broadly his efficiency in attack must notably further improve, since he is only shooting 42% on 16 shots per game, while losing an average of 4 balls per game.
Better balance off the pitch
But overall, almost three and a half years after his arrival in the league, after not necessarily very happy adventures in Cleveland, followed by a move to the G-League before joining the Rockets and settling there permanently. , Kevin Porter Jr. seems to have come of age.
As a basketball player but above all as a man for his coach Stephen Silas, very close to his leader, as reflected in his tears after his contract extension signed earlier in the season.
” I would say it’s a bit of both. He is more mature off the pitch, and that reflects positively on his maturity on the pitch. » thus explained the technician of the Rockets. ” Since he is more calm in everyday life, he is also in matches. And because of this, we are a more stable group. As the leader of our team, with the ball often in his hands, it was important for him to reach this level of maturity. »
More mature, and therefore more leader
Indeed, Stephen Silas also remarks that despite his young age, Kevin Porter Jr. has become more of a locker room leader this season, even if he is barely older than some of his teammates.
” Scoot spreads a very positive energy within our group. He’s more peaceful than the past two years, and he’s trying to become more and more of a leader. We’ll go as far as it takes us Added the Rockets coach, whose words boosted the morale of the principal concerned. ” It’s a compliment, I think. It is a pleasure. I actually worked a lot on myself, on controlling my emotions. So it’s really nice that my coach said that about me. »
And “KPJ” to take rookie Jabari Smith Jr under his wing, not always at his best since the start of the season, while he is still looking for the right balance in his transition between the NCAA and the professional league. ” I just tell him not to dread these moments too much. It’s a long season, so there are times when he will feel like he’s struggling. […] So I tell him to continue to believe in him, in his work ethic and his talent. »
The once turbulent young talent, but now calm and mature, therefore feels good in his sneakers.
” I’m comfortable with my game. I’m more in control of the game, that’s it. Now it’s a matter of consistency in my performance. Because I deciphered the game, the rhythm and the speed of the NBA concludes Jalen Green’s backcourt colleague. ” In other words, I’m more stable, I’ve found the right balance. »
| Kevin Porter, Jr. | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2019-20 | KEY | 50 | 23 | 44.2 | 33.5 | 72.3 | 0.4 | 2.8 | 3.2 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 10.0 |
| 2020-21 | HOO | 26 | 32 | 42.5 | 31.1 | 73.4 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 6.3 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 3.5 | 0.3 | 16.6 |
| 2021-22 | HOO | 61 | 31 | 41.5 | 37.5 | 64.2 | 0.7 | 3.7 | 4.4 | 6.2 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 15.6 |
| 2022-23 | HOO | 16 | 35 | 41.9 | 35.2 | 73.9 | 1.6 | 4.5 | 6.1 | 5.8 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 3.9 | 0.5 | 19.8 |
| Total | 153 | 29 | 42.3 | 35.2 | 69.6 | 0.7 | 3.4 | 4.1 | 4.9 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 0.3 | 14.3 | |
