How Jalen Green Can Take the Next Step in 2025

The 2nd-seeded Rockets went out to the veteran-led Golden State Warriors in a shock upset. The Rockets lifted off this season from a .500 team to the 2nd best record in the West because of its young talents. Like Amen Thompson, Alperen Şengün and of course, Jalen Green himself.

Jalen Green Exposed in Warriors Series

Aside from a great Game 2, which was his career game so far for Green, but that was a mirage. For the rest of the series, he never scored above 13 points despite being the Rockets’ bucket-getter. If this is the best he can do come playoff time, the Rockets have a problem. However, I don’t believe we’ve seen the best of the 23-year-old Green yet. So what can he do to improve?

Jalen Green Needs to Work on his Upper Body Strength

One of the highest points of praise for young Green is his athleticism, though I’m afraid this is people confusing speed with athleticism. He’s certainly very fast but this entire series he was bullied by Steph Curry this whole series. Now, no offense to Mr. Curry, he’s certainly jacked, but in an NBA context, if Green is supposed to be an athletic beast, he’s not supposed to be bullied by him. I actually love the fact he loves the game so much and puts a lot more effort into getting on the court and mastering his craft than more modern players who focus more on conditioning than playing. Green, this off-season, though, needs to get in the weight room.

Jalen Green Must Improve His Shooting

The modern-day NBA is all about 3s, baby, so Green averaging .354 for his shot is a problem. His incredible speed and good ball handling mean he’s better than most at getting to the basket. However, if a team like the Warriors can find a way to keep him out of the paint, he doesn’t bring much to an offense. Again getting into the gym and working on that shot to be even above average. He could be a weapon on the offensive side.

Jalen Green Lacks Strong In-Game Feel

Perhaps what’s been exposed the most is his lack of basketball IQ. He is always going 200 MPH to the rim and is focused on nothing but trying to do exactly that. When he can’t do that, he shoots no matter what, meaning that a lot of contested shots he misses because he isn’t Kobe Bryant. If he were smarter, he could get open a lot better and provide more points for his team and make himself into a much more valuable player.

Jalen Green Needs More Offensive Craftiness

For as highlight reel-worthy a player as Green is, his lack of creativity is an issue that’s also preventing him from being the giant impact player he could be. If he used his incredible speed like John Wall did when he was playing, it’d be a lot easier for him not only to get to the rim but also to create open shots for himself, which would help his shooting stats a lot if nothing else. Not to mention he loves to make highlight reels and please the crowd like him. Breaking somebody’s ankles and then posterizing someone on a dunk could make for many classic highlights.

Jalen Green is Missing That Killer Instinct

For a bucket-getter, he is way too chill with letting other guys get the points. I know that it makes him a better teammate, but this means he lacks more motive to become a better player. If he really wanted to be the guy getting every point for his team would be all the more reason to work on everything I listed here and become the player he could be. Not to mention he is the loud and proud type, so you think that’d fit him better.

AAU Habits Still Holding Jalen Green Back 

Like Cole Anthony for most of his career, Green has used his speed and skill with the ball to dominate his peers, but then the NBA happened. His immense talent has kept him as a valuable starter for a contender and an average of 20 points a game throughout Green’s career so far. However, all the things he’s ignored so far, like his shot or a better feel for the game, are now holding him back from making the most of his talent.

Should the Rockets Trade Green for Durant?

There’s been a lot of talk of Durant being traded to the Rockets, and usually when this gets mentioned, it’s Green who’s the key piece that gets traded, but should they? I say Durant is a talented player without a doubt, but he’s 37 years old. The Rockets’ big 3 is super young, with the oldest of the three being 23, which is Jalen Green, actually.

None of the Rockets’ best players will hit their prime soon, and it’d be better for the Rockets to not rush their rebuild, if they hold on to all their young stars, they’ll be a super team. Especially since they have the coach to help develop them all, Green’s progress this season is proof of that.

Thanks a bunch for reading!