All-Star guard and perennial MVP candidate Luka Doncic had 50 points and 10 assists for the Dallas Mavericks in Friday’s close win at Houston, but he showed significant postgame respect for second-year guard Jalen Green of the young and rebuilding Rockets.
Green didn’t shoot well (35.3% FG, 0-of-4 on 3-pointers) versus the Mavericks, but he had 23 points and 8 rebounds while drawing 12 free-throw attempts, making 11 of them.
In postgame comments from Toyota Center, Doncic made it clear Green had already earned his respect:
We’ve played them twice this year. I think they have a really young team, but they have a lot of talent. They play with a lot of force, a lot of energy. I think they’ve improved a lot.
I think Jalen is going to be a superstar in this league. He’s already a star. They have a great guy here, so they should build around him.
Green and the Rockets (9-23) look to snap their five-game losing streak when they play Monday night in Chicago. The tip against the Bulls is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central.
After the game, I asked Luka Doncic about the #Rockets growth over the past three years. He had high praise for Jalen Green.
“I think Jalen is going to be a superstar in this league…They should build around him.” pic.twitter.com/nYDmwRstLV
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) December 24, 2022
