Rockets projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
Houston Rockets starting shooting guard: Jalen Green
The No. 2 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Jalen Green’s first two seasons have been something of a disappointment. He put up the raw counting stats last season — 22.7 points and 3.7 assists on .416/.338/.786 — but his shot selection and generally inefficient approach have been a problem.
It will be fascinating to see how Green develops under Ime Udoka. A big worry around Houston the last couple years has been the lack of structure and discipline under Stephen Silas. Green was given free rein over the offense and seldom punished for wonky shot selection, whereas (better) teammates were essentially shut out of the offense altogether.
Projecting forward, there’s still plenty to be excited about with Green’s NBA future. He’s a one-of-one athlete, capable of shifting gears and exploding downhill on a dime. His first step and ability to create space with his handle is genuinely special and there’s every reason to believe Green can still achieve stardom in the NBA.
That said, his on-court approach will have to change, and it will have to change fast. He has been a terrible defender over the last two years; Udoka is probably going to have a shorter leash than Silas, especially if Houston has allusions of contending in the West. Thompson is going to light an immediate fire under Green, and the latter is going to feel that pressure. Not to mention Kevin Porter, another starting-caliber guard who’s hitting the bench in Green’s favor, presumably.
Green could be one of the best scoring guards in the NBA, especially if he learns to better balance his scoring acumen with creating for teammates, but it will take real effort and a priorities shift from the 21-year-old.
Primary backup shooting guard: Kevin Porter Jr.
Kevin Porter Jr. now enters the race for Sixth Man of the Year. He averaged 19.2 points and 5.7 assists on .442/.366/.784 splits as Houston’s primary creator last season. While there have been myriad concerns expressed over the years about Porter’s attitude toward winning and his conduct in the locker room, it’s hard to deny the cold, hard facts of his production.
Now, Porter is far from perfect. He can fall prey to tunnel vision and he’s frequently a sieve on defense despite his promising physical dimensions. Maybe a smaller role with more veteran leadership and a respected head coach will get him to focus more on the small details. Porter’s raw talent is without question, and there’s a world in which he’s still good enough to start alongside Fred VanVleet. Not many guards possess Porter’s knack for changing speeds and shaking defenders off the bounce. The man is shifty.