Houston Rockets: Making the case for Jalen Green’s ROY bid
By David Hakim
Why Jalen Green will win ROY: Athleticism and finishing
If the photo above fails to simultaneously display both the speed and finesse with which Green is capable of scoring, then perhaps all hope is lost. Green’s explosive first-step and leaping ability, combined with his ability to contort his body when in amongst the trees is staggering, producing finishes with the highest degree of difficulty on an almost far-too regular basis.
His speed, however, is not limited to on-ball possessions, as Green can bolt from the corner or wing to catch and finish at the rim with ease, even leaping well into the air to throw down lob finishes.
Though he did not participate in the NBA Draft Combine, an event passed on by many of the top draft picks, it should be clear that Green’s electric athleticism is nothing to scoff at, evidenced by the comparisons to All-Stars Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal. While high-school highlights are often a far cry from a player’s potential in the pros, Green (alongside Houston Rockets teammate Josh Christopher) was throwing down highlight-reel dunk after highlight-reel dunk in his secondary-school tenure
Green not only boasts one of the most versatile scoring arsenals in the NBA draft but as a Rockets starter this season, expect to see him command air time both on the court and on the weekly highlight reels. As far as Rookie of the Year voting is concerned, while flashiness and finesse may not account for everything, Green’s other-worldly knack for getting to and finishing at the rim will make him a no-brainer for this year’s voters.