Rockets SG Jalen Green 'Playing His Ass Off', Says Fred VanVleet

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green has been a big part of the team's recent success.

Jeremy Brener | Mar 17, 2024

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Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are on a five-game win streak, and the team's success can be credited to Jalen Green's elevated play.

Green is averaging 25 points per game during the win streak and he's shot 40 percent or better in four of those victories. His strong recent play has been noticed by his teammates, including point guard Fred VanVleet.

“The better he plays, the easier it is on everybody,” VanVleet said after Saturday's win. “He’s been playing his ass off!”

Jalen Green — Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

While the Rockets are still 3.5 games back of the Play-In Tournament, Green and his teammates are still fighting until the season comes to an end. A big reason why the Rockets are still in the conversation towards a potential postseason berth has been Green's improvements over the past month or so.

With Alperen Sengun and Cam Whitmore out for a few weeks, Green has to step up as a playmaker and scorer. He's been more efficient with his jump shot, but also his ability to attack the rim, making him a true scoring threat at all three levels.

If Green can maintain this level over the next few weeks, the Rockets will inch closer to the playoffs and may even make the Los Angeles Lakers or Golden State Warriors shake in their boots.

Rockets Win Fifth Consecutive Game in Blowout Victory Over Cavaliers

Green and the Rockets are back in action on Tuesday when they visit the Washington Wizards. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.

Published Mar 17, 2024

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.