The Houston Rockets achieved a significant victory over the Portland Trail Blazers with a score of 125-103. Jalen Green, known for his efficiency, scored 26 points with 10 out of 17 shots, including 4 out of 6 three-pointers, and contributed 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Notably, this marks the ninth consecutive game in which Green has scored over 20 points, setting a new career record for him. The last time he achieved such a streak was in March of the previous year, when he scored over 20 points from the 15th to the 30th of March, during which the Rockets also won 11 consecutive games. This time, Green is expected to maintain his performance even longer.
Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in Green's confidence, solidifying his position as the cornerstone of the Rockets. He confidently shoots three-pointers without looking back after each shot, a celebration style reminiscent of last March that he has now reclaimed. This is why Green elicits both love and frustration from Rockets fans. If he were to consistently perform like a rookie, fans would be disappointed. However, Green occasionally surprises with moments of brilliance, making his superstar-level performances intermittent.
From the beginning of his rookie season, Green started off well, even scoring 30 points against the Boston Celtics. But his performance dipped after that, only to explode post-All-Star break, though it didn't last long before declining again. In his second season, he started poorly but had brief moments of excellence followed by a slump. In his third year, Green reduced the number of subpar games and slightly increased his consistency. However, after a strong March last year, his performance dropped again in April.
This year, Green began the season in good form, averaging 30 points per game. However, his performance declined over the next one and a half months, dropping his average to 19 points with a lowest shooting percentage of 38%. Through nine recent outstanding games, Green has raised his average to nearly 22 points with a 44% shooting percentage. His inconsistency has become his hallmark, earning him the nickname "neuroblade." Despite this, it cannot be denied that Green determines the Rockets' upper limit. After the game today, Danielle Lerner, a reporter for the Rockets, asked Van Jordan about the differences between the team's recent and past performances.
Van Jordan succinctly replied with just four words: "Jalen Green."
These four words encapsulate what Van Jordan and the fans want to convey. Green is currently the barometer of the Rockets' victories, as his performance directly influences the team's wins and losses. Ultimately, the gap between the Rockets and the Thunder lies in the difference between Jalen Green and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The other configurations are similar, with the disparity lying in the shooting guard position.
The Rockets' frontcourt features Sengun and Smith, while the Thunder has Giddey and Holmgren, with Amen competing against Hartenstein. On the wings, the Rockets have Dillon, and the Thunder has Dort. Van Jordan and Caruso are present, but the Rockets' frontline is stronger, bolstered by Ison and the "White Magic" Tate, which the Thunder lacks. If Jalen Green can transform into a superstar and fulfill the potential of players like Jordan and Kobe, the Rockets' ceiling will be significantly raised. To put it plainly, the Rockets' current configuration is championship-worthy, provided Green maintains such a level of performance throughout the season.
In the last nine games, Green has averaged 30 points with a 52% shooting percentage and a 50% three-point shooting rate. This level of performance is undoubtedly top-tier among Western Conference shooting guards and indicative of a superstar level. It remains unknown whether Green's recent enlightenment is temporary or permanent. Nonetheless, it is a positive sign for the Rockets. Currently, the Rockets hold the second place in the West and are on the verge of surpassing the Celtics to enter the third spot in the league. For a team that won 41 games last season without qualifying for the play-in tournament, this performance has exceeded external expectations. Prior to the start of the season, American media predicted the Rockets to finish tenth in the West; however, they have defied predictions by securing the second spot in the West.