The Houston Rockets, who currently need as many victories as they can, were obviously disappointed by their loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. With a current record of 24–30, the Rockets could miss the play-in round entirely because they are now 3.5 games behind the Golden State Warriors, who are ranked ninth.
Ime Udoka, the coach of the Rockets, was clearly irritated and searching for solutions or adjustments. Based on his postgame press conference, Udoka might alter the starting lineup of the Rockets before making any other changes.
“There’s no denying that there is an issue. To prevent bad starts like that, perhaps I should reevaluate my starting lineup and rotation and try to get five players off the court at once.
“I’ll consider everything over the break, take a close look at myself in the mirror, and determine the best course of action to get us off to better starts.”
Jalen Green is the only possible individual to whom Udoka may be alluding in this instance.
Jalen Green’s 2023–24 season has been, to put it mildly, somewhat of a roller coaster.
With the Rockets, Jalen Green might have a different role in store.
While Green has played in some games that have demonstrated the same star quality that has defined his first two seasons, he has also played in some that raise doubts about his potential to be a useful member of a contending team. The Rockets were a tanking club after all.
Surely someone has to score? even when their team is losing.
For many, this was the year that Green made a complete turnaround. Not only does he play with a floor general who has won championships, but he also lacks Kevin Porter Jr. to steal touches and pass the ball.
Given that they both played the same position, Green and Porter didn’t exactly mesh well together. In an attempt to counter this, the Rockets moved Porter.
I took it that Green will become the starting closer for the Rockets?
If only everything were that easy.
Though as a Sixth Man, his minutes might be spread out in the unlikely case that Green takes it up and goes on a scorching run. Green would probably be taken out of the starting lineup for the first time in his career, therefore this would probably be difficult for him.
We might learn more about this sooner rather than later, though, as it is painfully evident that this is the transformation Udoka was alluding to.
