Paul Banchero and Jalen Green have a good relationship, but unfortunately, he was unable to wear the Rockets jersey. After a long absence, Banchero did not show any signs of rustiness in his body. He made a comeback against the Bucks, scoring 34 points and hitting 5 three-pointers. In this game against the 76ers, he also scored 20 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and provided 6 assists to lead the team to victory.
The 22-year-old Banchero has now become an All-Star forward. This season, he averages 34 minutes per game, scoring 28.4 points, grabbing 8.4 rebounds, and providing 5.3 assists, with a shooting percentage of as high as 50.8% and a three-point percentage of 40.5%. ESPN believes that Banchero is already a star of the new generation in the league, and he will deliver impressive performances this year.
The No. 1 pick in 2022 is indeed talented, and the No. 12 pick that year, Jalen Williams, is also making a push towards becoming an All-Star. This season, he averages 32 minutes per game, scoring 20.6 points, grabbing 5.7 rebounds, and providing 5.2 assists, with a shooting percentage of 47.7% and a three-point percentage of 34.2%.
Retired Houston journalist Feigen feels regretful that Banchero and Williams were unable to join the Rockets.
Feigen predicted back then that the Rockets would use the No. 3 pick to select Paul Banchero, the No. 17 pick to choose Jalen Williams, and the No. 26 pick to select Marjon Beauchamp.
If the Rockets could have gotten Paul Banchero and Jalen Williams, they might have been able to return to the playoffs last season. Both Banchero and Williams can score and pass, and the Rockets' attacking power would have been quite terrifying.
However, regret is the norm in life, and the results of the 2022 draft did not go as Feigen had hoped. Banchero was unexpectedly taken by the Magic, while the Thunder surprisingly used the No. 12 pick to take Jalen Williams, and the Bucks used the No. 24 pick to secure Beauchamp.
That year, the Rockets used the No. 3 pick to choose Jabari Smith Jr., the No. 17 pick to choose Tari Eason, and the No. 29 pick to choose TyTy Washington.
Now, little Smith can only play a supporting role and cannot handle the ball well, Eason has become injury-prone and unable to play, and TyTy can only find his presence in the G League.
The Rockets were unable to select Cade Cunningham, Banchero, Jalen Williams, or Victor Wembanyama, but this team still gives people hope.
"Hoopshype" believes that the three rising stars of Houston, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, and Amen Thompson, have a promising future and room for improvement.
This American media outlet ranked players under 25 in the league, with Wembanyama and Edwards ranking first and second, Banchero ranking third, and Jalen Williams ranking fourth.
Alperen Sengun ranks twelfth, Jalen Green ranks eighteenth, and Amen ranks twenty-second.
"Hoopshype" believes that Alperen Sengun is a very versatile player who can score, grab rebounds, and pass. The Rockets' record of 25 wins and 12 losses this season owes much to Sengun's contributions. Jalen Green has excellent physical abilities and occasionally delivers superstar-level performances. Amen is always full of energy, with strong defense and amazing athleticism.
Some American media outlets believe that Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green are not very compatible, and the latter also admits that he prefers to play at a fast pace. Rockets head coach Udoka is trying to find a way to make Sengun and Green produce a greater-than-one-plus-one effect.
The Rockets are preparing for their next game, and Udoka said in an interview: "Jalen Green is obviously an excellent scorer, and Sengun has his own offensive style. We want them both to participate in the offense together, rather than one person playing alone while the other watches from the sidelines. Whether it's in pick-and-roll or low-post offense, they can both deal with defense and create opportunities for their teammates. They are both starters and often play together. We need them both to give their all, and they understand that when they play like that, we will be stronger."