HOUSTON — The third year for any player is a vital part of their NBA career. As rookies, they often get leeway to make mistakes as they get acclimated to playing at basketball’s highest level. In year two, while they are more acclimated to an NBA season and its practices, games, and social life, many experience a “sophomore slump” as opponents adjust to their strengths and try to take those away.
Rockets guard Jalen Green has been through all of the above as he heads into his third NBA season in 2023-24, and he is ready to take that next step in becoming one of the organization’s leaders.
Buy Rockets Tickets“I think more so it is the little things this year for me,” Green said at Monday’s media day about what needs to be done to become a better player. “Just showing my growth and that I can win, and I can contribute to winning no matter what it is. I don’t just have to score, I can play defense, get steals, talk, and communicate. Things to help the guys be better.”
Houston enters the season with a new leader in head coach Ime Udoka, who took over the team after former coach Stephen Silas did not have his contract extended. In 2021-22, Udoka took the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals in his first year as a head coach and showed an ability to make good players even better, as evidenced by the growth of two All-NBA players: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Jalen Green on working out with KD:
“I remember my first workout with K.D [Kevin Durant]. When you first start a workout, you try and get your rhythm and be a little cool. He said, ‘Every rep has to be fast and at game speed.’”#Rockets #Sarge pic.twitter.com/lzfD0R2jO3— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) October 3, 2023
Now 21 years old, Green wants to take that next step in year three to reach those heights. This offseason, he proved that he was willing to put in the work by working out with players such as Kevin Durant and Devin Booker from the Phoenix Suns.
“I think it is super important, especially going into year three, that is an important year for us young guys,” Green said. “Just to pick up on their habits in workouts. I remember my first workout with KD. When you first start a workout, you try and get your rhythm and be a little cool. He said, ‘Every rep has to be fast and at game speed.’”
“At his age doing that, every rep at game speed every time,” Green said of Durant. “So, I just picked up on little things like that. Things that the greats are doing. I feel for what I am trying to be, I have to be in a position with those types of players.”
Although he averaged a team-high 22.1 points per game last season, Houston finished 22-60, which was their third consecutive losing season. That losing mentality is different from what the Rockets want to bring into the 2023-24 season, as they have consistently talked about this being the second phase of their rebuilding process.
To help speed up the progression, Houston brought in veteran players such as Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and NBA champion Jeff Green this past offseason to help revitalize the Rockets’ winning culture and while levating some of the younger players to take that next step.
“I can’t wait to get to winning,” Green told reporters Monday. “That is the biggest focus this year, just to win. I don’t think the losses took too much out of me; they are learning lessons, and all you can do is really grow from them. This is the year to turn it around and see how much I have learned, and how much I have grown.”
