Houston Rockets: 4 Keys to taking another progressional step in 2022-23

Feeding off their wealth of talented guards

The Rockets have three legit guards who need to play and develop as they are capable of becoming one of the league’s best backcourts if they play unselfishly. Jalen Green is expected to become the face of the franchise and lead this team into the future.

If we learned anything last season, it’s that Green and Kevin Porter Jr. set themselves apart as the talented duo was second and third on the team in points per game respectively. Green just needs to continue working on his strength, conditioning, and adding to his overall game. He’s a talented kid whose athleticism is on another level but must apply the same effort on the defensive end as well in order to hold his own against the elite guards in this league.

By the Rockets getting rid of both John Wall and Christian Wood, it gives Green more opportunities to score. For a player who averaged 17.3 points per game as a third option, it should only project a breakout sophomore season.

The Rockets have a very special player on their hands in Kevin Porter Jr. and there is no denying his talent. If he can find the balance between creating for himself and creating for others and limiting the turnovers, he can become a better playmaker and a better facilitator as well. During the final 10 games of the season, Green and Porter Jr. went on a scoring barrage as they appeared to figure it out offensively.

Green averaged 26.1 points per game while Porter Jr. averaged 20.5 during that span giving the Rockets a glimpse of what their future will look like. The two main components for this duo to develop are consistency and chemistry.

Josh Christopher gets overshadowed due to Green’s Porter Jr.’s presence but doesn’t overlook this talented prospect. He’s a dynamic player who can create his own shot with a fearless approach to the game with a tough demeanor. He is another guard in the Rockets rotation with crazy athleticism who could develop into a good 2-way player.

Silas could make Christopher the 6th man and allow him to lead the second unit. That way, Christopher can get his minutes and still be on the floor with either Green, Porter Jr., or both due to his positional versatility.