With added strength, Jalen Green hopes for All-Star berth, more wins in second NBA season
Jalen Green was an All-Rookie First Team member in his 2021-22 rookie season with the Houston Rockets, but his production certainly had its peaks and valleys. After an underwhelming first half of the season, Green turned it on late with a historic scoring stretch, which he’s hoping to carry into his second NBA season in 2022-23.
Building on that, however, required diligent work throughout the recently completed offseason. Green elaborated on his points of emphasis at Monday’s Rockets media day at Toyota Center.
“A lot of catch-and-shoot, ball-handling, pick-and-roll, getting to my spots, isolation,” said Green, who acknowledged that the game slowed down for him late in 2021-22. “Things out of the offense that we’re gonna be running, and how I can get into what I need to get into.”
In addition to the benefits of more experience, Houston’s 6-foot-6 guard said he put on about 10 pounds of weight in the offseason, going from 170 to 173 pounds last season to 182 or 183 pounds. That could help Green defensively against stronger players, and it might also benefit him on offense when he absorbs contact on drives.
As for personal goals, Green is setting the bar high.
“Carry my team to more wins than last year, and hopefully be an All-Star,” said Green, noticeably taking ownership of the young team.
Green and the Rockets will begin their training camp on Tuesday in Lake Charles, Louisiana, leading up to a home exhibition opener on Sunday, Oct. 2 versus in-state rival San Antonio.
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