Considered one of the biggest talents at his position with his 22 points per game, Jalen Green does not yet benefit from the aura of an Anthony Edwards, a Desmond Bane or even a Tyrese Maxey. Like them, he could wait for this 3rd season to make a name for himself, and he knows that it only comes through victories. Since he has been in the NBA, the Rockets have only won 42 games in two years.
“Win, win, win… That’s all there is to it” he answers when asked about his ambitions. “Winning is important in the NBA, and I haven’t done it yet. It’s time for that to change. »
For this, the Rockets went to look for Ime Udoka as coach, but also confirmed veterans with All-Star Fred VanVleet, defender Dillon Brooks and NBA champion Jeff Green. “I take great responsibility for it” assures Green. “I know the fans are counting on me. I know that the staff and my teammates are also counting on me, as a leader, but also to become a better player. »
Learn to do the little things on the pitch
And how does he plan to go about it? Unsurprisingly, at this stage of the season, he assures that he is ready to defend. “No matter the area, it’s more about the little things this year for me in terms of my progress so that I can win and I can contribute to victory” continues Green. “ I don’t just need to score. I can defend, speak, communicate, help others improve. I can improve on the defensive side, on the leadership side, on the communication side, on being placed in the right place. I feel like I have good relationships with the new guys. The most important thing is to show that I can do these little things. »
For his coach, Jalen Green was forced to do too much during his first two seasons. Many of his points were scored on individual exploits, and his clumsiness was also due to a failing team. “Look at the people around him”asks Udoka. “Obviously, Fred is very good at doing his job and getting people involved. Alperen can take the initiative. We want to rely on several ball handlers, players who can grab rebounds and move forward. Guys like Jabari (Smith Jr.) and Tari (Eason), Dillon too. So Jalen won’t have the ball in his hands as often as in previous years, but there are ways to use his skills and keep him aggressive when he has the ball. »
“I’m going to go back to playing without the ball. I know how to play like that”
A development that suits Green, aware that his progress will therefore involve defense, but also play without the ball, and greater involvement in all sectors of the game.
“It doesn’t bother me at all. I will do whatever it takes to win,” he concludes. “At the same time, I was playing without the ball my first year, then I had it in my hand my second year. I’m going to go back to playing without the ball. I know how to play like that. Ime said I have to be a complete player, and I can be an all-round player. I showed that I could score in the NBA. Just defend, stand out from my teammates, communicate, and be a leader. Once all that is done, it will be easy to score.”
| Jalen Green | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | HOU | 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 | HOU | 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 |
| Total | 143 | 33 | 42.0 | 34.0 | 79.0 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 19.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
