Twenty-one games into Jalen Green’s third season, his developmental arc has been quite the experience.
On a macro scale, Green will be fine when the dust settles. He has a unique blend of scoring talent and athleticism that doesn’t come around often. The playmaking will come around eventually. You could make the argument he is the biggest benefactor of Houston’s offseason changes, with the additions of coach Ime Udoka and Fred VanVleet essential in rewiring Green’s on-court processor and off-court mentality.
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But at the micro level, Green is in a funk. He was glued to the bench for the fourth quarter in Wednesday’s 117-104 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, having shot just 2 of 12 from the field. Earlier in the week vs. San Antonio, Green registered zero fourth-quarter minutes and finished with seven points on 2-of-10 shooting.
For December, Green has more turnovers (14) than assists (8), is shooting a ghastly 22.7 percent on 3-pointers and can’t justify getting key minutes over more deserving players like Tari Eason, who is catching fire at the right time. What’s more concerning is when looking at Green’s career to date, his third season doesn’t look that much different than his rookie campaign at least through a ballhandling/playmaking lens.
“Play harder like the group that was in,” Udoka said of advice for Green. “It starts with effort. Continuing the play through it. Learn from those things, but it’s not always a result of what they don’t do. It’s more so the other lineup and what they’re doing.”
Had this been last season or the one before, Green would have been allowed to work through his mistakes but under Udoka, it’s been made clear that decision-making goes a long way into playing time. The Rockets’ offensive tree, while still evolving and trying to figure out its trunk and the proper branches to expand upon, doesn’t necessarily revolve around Green’s three-level scoring savvy and potential anymore.
Houston is 12-9 and figuring out other ways to win basketball games — whether it’s through aggressive team defense, a much-improved Alperen Şengün, a combination of strong bench play, a confident Jabari Smith Jr. or VanVleet’s leadership. In other words, there is more to Houston than Green, which is the mentality Udoka wants to instill since taking the job.
It’s the right approach for a team looking to escape the clutches of a rebuild but more importantly, it alleviates pressure on Green to be the guy every single night.
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Still, Green is quickly learning that his decisions with the ball directly correlate to the minutes he plays. When he processes the game and the opposing defense quickly, Green is a true X-factor. This is a third-year guard sizing a mismatch up at the top of the key, beating his man off the dribble and driving into the teeth of the defense, drawing multiple players at him and dishing to a rim-running big. That’s maturity, growth and the right play.
But then, just a few seconds later on the very next possession, Green is baited into taking an ill-advised jumper with 15 seconds still on the shot clock that doesn’t land anywhere near the rim. It’s one step forward, two steps back. Literally.
Fun fact: he leads the team (along with VanVleet) in hockey assists (1.1 per game), the pass before the pass. It’s probably the least sexy offensive stat but at the very least, it shows that Green knows how to move the ball — also highlighted by the fact he is third in passes made behind VanVleet and Şengün.
But that’s the Green ride in a nutshell, highs and lows. He’s recently been frustrated with his performances that have led to consecutive fourth-quarter benching but also understands there are lessons to be learned even from the sidelines, an important mental aspect of development.
Memphis Grizzlies center, Bismack Biyombo sat down briefly with The Athletic on Wednesday to discuss his 12-year career, anticipation of Ja Morant’s return, Jaren Jackson Jr.’s growth, his faith and more. Parts were edited for clarity and brevity.
You’ve had quite an interesting journey in your NBA career, with the circumstances surrounding this current stint in Memphis just another example of that — the slew of injuries. How well have you been able to get used to this team?
It’s been great, honestly. We’re professionals and have to adjust but coaches and players have done such an incredible job smoothening the integration. At the same time, I think the biggest thing for us is staying with it. Get comfortable with the system and then get settled. Get everyone back, keep fighting to put the wins away.
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It looks like Jaren has turned a corner offensively, looking more and more comfortable with the ball in his hands. Are you guys seeing that as well? How has he been able to handle the pressure (without Morant)?
He’s been able to embrace that. More than anything, when you have a big like him who can score and make plays for others, it helps a lot. I think he’s embraced it well and guys try to play through him. But at the end of the day, it’s going to be very helpful when you get everybody back, that he’s found his rhythm and everyone else. Now he can get out there and play basketball.
Despite the losing record, the energy around this team still feels palpable. Just seeing Ja around the team, the mood and vibes still feel positive. What has the overall feeling been like knowing he’s edging closer to a return to the court?
It’s great. You can’t play the game without a great point guard, this is just a fact. Across the league. You need a point guard to run the show. Back to what I said, everyone finding their rhythm and learning how to play in their struggle is going to help us to play when things become easier. We’re all looking forward to having him back. We look forward to having Marcus (Smart) back, we miss (Desmond Bane) and look forward to having him back as well. Those guys play a lot of minutes and now you have to fill in the gaps.
But at the end of the day, this is the NBA. You just gotta thank God for the opportunity you get to be out there and compete. Continue to move forward.
Between the likes of Ja, Desmond and Jaren, is there a feeling that once everyone comes back, you guys can make a real climb up the standings — despite what it looks like right now?
Is there a feeling?
Yeah.
Do you not believe that?
I mean …
God said, “Do you not have faith?” and I do have faith that we will be all right. That’s why I’m not too concerned. I’d rather start slow and struggle now, learn from adversity and grow from it versus later in the season. Later in the season, it’s difficult. There’s a very thin line between “let’s adjust” and “let’s survive” going into the playoffs. I’ve been on teams going into the playoffs in survival mode versus going into the playoffs feeling good about ourselves. I love adversity, I’ve always loved it. And I think again, when you see a team like us going through adversity, you gotta embrace and enjoy it. Through times like this, everybody can grow in their little way which will allow us to be great. I look forward to that, I think it’s gonna be great. Just gotta take one step at a time but again, I’m a guy that believes in God so I have faith in what he has for us.
You’ve mentioned your faith a lot, not just today but in general. I know it’s important to you but has it meant even more this season, going through adversity like you mentioned?
I came here through faith, man. I stand by faith. Like everything that I do and have done. My faith grew more when I lost my dad. Just live by it, I walk through every door with God. Through the ups and downs, I’m always thankful to God because he has put me in such positions that only He can write those stories. My story has been unique from the moment I came into this world until my journey to the NBA. God has done some of the most unbelievable and unthinkable things. I came here by faith and he led the way.
Thank you for that.
Always.
(Top photo of Jalen Green: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)
