Although he may not yet approach the legendary status of Kobe Bryant, Houston Rockets’ rising star Jalen Green draws comparisons from NBA analyst Bill Simmons to a young Bryant, particularly in his aggressive rim attacks and jump shooting. Simmons carefully emphasizes that Green resembles the late ’90s version of Bryant, hinting at immense potential akin to Bryant’s early years.
Green’s journey in the NBA has seen fluctuations, but glimpses of his significant talent have emerged. Recent standout performances include scoring 42 and 41 points in separate games within a week. Across his last dozen outings, Green averages 28.3 points, while his last five games showcase an impressive 34.4 points per contest.
At only 22 years old and in his third season, Green has ample time to fulfill his promise. However, improving efficiency remains crucial, given his career shooting percentages of 42.2% from the field and 33.8% from beyond the arc, which remain consistent this season.
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In terms of scoring, Green’s current season average of 19.5 points per game closely aligns with his career mark of 19.7 points per contest. Comparatively, Bryant’s early career statistics, averaging 13.8 points per game in his first three seasons with shooting percentages slightly higher, indicate a parallel journey of development.
While Bryant’s illustrious career boasts numerous accolades, including 18 All-Star selections, 15 All-NBA nods, five NBA titles, two scoring titles, and an MVP award, Green is still striving for similar recognition. Although he secured All-Rookie honors in his debut season, Green aims for more achievements in the league.
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As the Rockets surge towards a potential play-in spot in the competitive Western Conference with a 35-35 record, Green likely focuses on contributing to his team’s success, eager to make his mark in the league.
