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56 Days After Taking the Court With Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, Rockets Star Jalen Green Hopeful of the Ultimate Jump: “Going to Happen”

Published 10/23/2023, 4:00 PM EDT

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The Houston Rockets have made some significant offseason moves. They hired a new head coach, Ime Udoka, early in the offseason. Their roster also underwent a complete overhaul. They drafted two high-profile players, Cam Whitmore and Amen Thompson, and signed veteran free agents Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. After spending years with an inexperienced coach and unmatched roster, the Rockets look geared up to enter a new era.

For the first time since Jalen Green was drafted, the Rockets have a foundation for winning in place. Will this be the year Jalen Green makes the leap and adds an All-Star nod to his resume?

Is Jalen Green going to make the jump this season?

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During the offseason, third-year guard Jalen Green had found himself in the midst of trade talks. He was potentially going to be a centerpiece in James Harden’s return to the Houston Rockets.

However, instead of ruminating on the negatives, the 6’4″ guard decided to train harder and focus on improving his game. He had a productive offseason training with Team USA’s Select Team in Las Vegas. He was also spotted sharpening his mid-range shots and floaters with Phoenix Suns superstars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. That’s not all. He also spent his summer training outdoors with newly acquired point guard Fred VanVleet.

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During a recent sit-down with Shams Charania of The Athletic, Jalen Green discussed his plans for the upcoming season. When asked if he’s going to make an All-Star jump this season, Green said, “I do feel like it’s going to happen. I just think at the end of the day in basketball or in the NBA, if you win, everything will take care of itself. I have individual goals, but the main goal is to win.”

 

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Stars like Bradley Beal, Zach Lavine, and Anthony Edwards all had a breakout season in their third year. So the question is whether Green will follow in their footsteps and emulate that kind of success in his third year.

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Is an All-Star nod in the cards for Jalen Green?

Becoming an All-Star will be all the more difficult this season with the Western Conference loaded with stars who will be fighting for the spot. Moreover, with the additions of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks to the roster this season, his total number of shot attempts is likely to decrease.

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Green averaged 17.3 points per game and earned All-Rookie honors in his first year. He truly started emerging as a star in his sophomore year, when he averaged 22.1 points. Will this year turn out to be even better than the previous ones? Is this the year he receives his All-Star nod?

Watch this story: 38-Year-Old LeBron James Distances Himself From Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant to Remain NBA’s Highest-Paid Star in 2023

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Written by:

Darshita Daga

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Darshita Daga is an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports. Currently pursuing Bachelor’s in English, she’s a fervent sports enthusiast with a keen interest in sports journalism, specifically covering the NBA. She feels that words have the potential to capture the spirit of a game, evaluate moves, and portray the emotions that occur both on and off the court.
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Edited by:

Saumya Khanduja