Inside The Rockets

Houston Rockets SG Jalen Green Due For Efficiency Boost?

Jalen Green is entering his third NBA season with the Houston Rockets.

Jeremy Brener

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Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green is expected to take a big leap as he enters his third NBA season.

Over his first two campaigns, Green has shown promise and slivers of why he was taken with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, but it hasn't resulted in much winning, the ultimate measuring stick for how good a player can be.

This year, as an individual player, Green took a step back in ESPN's Top 100 player rankings, going from No. 62 to 80.

"Green has displayed the potential to be a premier scorer, averaging 22.1 points per game in his age-20 season a year ago," ESPN writes. "With the arrival of Fred VanVleet, Green will play alongside a true point guard for the first time in his career, which should help boost his efficiency."

Jalen Green
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green / USA Today Sports

However, with the help of VanVleet and coach Ime Udoka, there's reason to believe Green will be able to climb up the list. Udoka and the coaching staff are going to work on expanding Green’s strengths and help eliminate his weaknesses, including his willingness to shoot long twos.

Early in the shot clock, Udoka wants Green to act more as a facilitator, finding Dillion Brooks or Jae’Sean Tate on the wings instead of taking shots himself. As the shot clock winds down, or on the fast break, Green will continue to look to create for himself, using his elite speed and athleticism to get a bucket.

With legitimate veterans around him and a new coaching philosophy, Green could enjoy his best season to date.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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