The Houston Rockets are building a young core, and are complementing it with veteran players. Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet impact winning, but their presence is more about mentorship and getting key players in the right spots.
Make no mistake, the keys to the franchise belong to Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Cam Whitmore, and Amen Thompson.
Sengun and Green have had plenty of success this season, and Thompson and Whitmore have both flown under the radar, but they will be integral parts of Houston's rebuild, which is finally reaching its end as the Rockets contend for a spot in the postseason.
Recently, Paul George took notice and offered some praise for Whitmore, who was playing well on both ends of the court before his season ended. Over his last ten games, Whitmore averaged 12.6 points and 4.5 rebounds. While his shooting efficiency could use some work, he has showcased that he can score at a high level.
"I was extremely impressed with his game," said George about the rookie. "He's a player that is going to shake up some things in Houston and can be a star player. I saw stardom on both ends. He played hard on both ends. He can shoot it. He can handle. He's explosive. He was strong."
While Whitmore's individual success is key to Houston returning to NBA relevancy, the intensity that he brings to the court suggests that he will be a winning player who values tough play and playoff success more than individual stats and accolades, which is refreshing to see in the post-James Harden era.
"He had a nastiness to him that you don't really see in a lot of super young guys," continued George. "He was trying to challenge me. He was challenging Kawhi. He's a name that I think, because he's a rookie, hasn't had much coverage on him, but he will be good."
One of the reasons that Whitmore hasn't received much coverage is his availability. He spent a decent chunk of the season in the G-League and has played in only half of Houston's games, often with limited minutes.
However, when he actually gets court time, he has been electric. In the six games he has been on the court for at least 25 minutes, he is averaging 15.5 points. When he plays, he is a solid NBA player only in year one. It's clear that the sky is the limit for Whitmore, who is lurking in the shadows as one of the best young players in Texas.
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