Green's performance was the only stain on the second phase of the Rockets' rebuild. Just look at the stats: 17 points per game (down from 22 last season), and the projection stats are miserable — 39 percent from the field, 33 percent from three-point range, 56 percent from the basket — and an assist-to-mission ratio of nearly one. Coach Judoka dropped Green in the fourth quarter of many games.
After spending the summer refining shot selection and pick-and-roll decisions, Green looks like he has a villain in his head fighting — sometimes forcing him to come out of a slump of a round and not think too much about how he wants, but sometimes it makes him passive and submissive.
He still has too many of these images:
The Green brothers — Jalen and Jeff — couldn't work together to play an efficient pick-and-roll game, so Jalen Green could only shoot a long two points with 15 seconds left on offense. The current NBA doesn't allow you (the SGA is an exception) to shoot like that.
When Green goes to the frame, he almost always looks very anxious. He would jump off as soon as he got past the cover wall, leaving no time or space to find alternatives. You'll admire his self-confidence — and that confidence nourishes Green well — but it's also why he messes up layups and makes turnovers in a panic. Green needs to build up his mid-distance game skills and figure out when to slow down.
Occasionally, you can see Green play a simpler game and finish the ball early:
It's the kind of passing that helps the offensive end work, and the ball often ends up in Green's hands.
But even in these rounds, you can almost see Green overthinking: This is what the coach wants, right?
The Rockets' winning record has allowed Green to take some of the psychological baggage off his shoulders. The veterans brought in by the team showed the demeanor they deserved. Shin Kyung is an All-Star contender. Jabari Smith and Ethan are thriving — outperforming Green. Aaron Holiday saved his life.
Winning will allow the Rockets to be patient, and the Rockets should be very cautious about giving up on Green. Green is only 21 years old and has a rare explosive power. He's defended better. He has the embryo of a good player hidden in him, but it may take some time to play.