Gerald Green expects Rockets to surprise skeptics, make strong run

“A lot of people are counting us out, but I really think with the team we have, we can really do some good things,” Green told Mark Berman.

Heading into the 2020-21 season, the Houston Rockets aren’t at the top of most lists when it comes to perceived NBA title contenders.

On the surface, it’s easy to understand why. They’ve lost in the second round of the West playoffs in consecutive years, and they were one of the league’s oldest and most expensive rosters a season ago. On paper, that often means that there isn’t much room for internal improvement.

Moreover, it’s been a turbulent offseason in Houston with the departure of GM Daryl Morey and head coach Mike D’Antoni; trade requests (albeit ungranted by the team) from superstar guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook; and the exit of veteran forward Robert Covington.

But as training camp opens Tuesday, the Rockets have made some changes that could provide room for renewed optimism and growth. No longer undersized, they’ve added a pair of marquee big men in Christian Wood and DeMarcus Cousins. Meanwhile, on the perimeter, Houston has brought in capable role players such as Sterling Brown, David Nwaba, and veteran Gerald Green — who missed all of last season with a foot injury.

Never one for being shy, Green spoke Monday with Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston, and he made the case for optimism with the new-look Rockets. Here’s his message to fans of the team:

Hold on tight, because I think this is gonna be a hell of a run this year. A lot of people are counting us out, but with the team we have, I think we can really do some good things. Hang on tight, because it’s gonna be a nice year for us.

Green also had kind words for new head coach Stephen Silas, who will be in D’Antoni’s place when camp opens Tuesday at Toyota Center.

I love Coach Silas. I think he’s a great coach, a great addition. You can tell he’s hungry. He’s fiery. He wants to be like his dad [former NBA head coach Paul Silas]. I love the fact he’s taken the right steps to be just as good as his dad was as a coach, and I’m excited to play for him.

Known best for 3-point shooting and his spark off the bench, Green hasn’t played in the NBA since fracturing his foot last preseason. A fan favorite in Houston, Green had season-ending surgery in October 2019, and he was traded for salary reasons in February’s move for Covington.

In two seasons with his hometown team from 2017 through 2019, the 6-foot-6 reserve swingman averaged 10.3 points (36.0% on 3-pointers) in 21.1 minutes per game, and he was also a respected veteran voice in the locker room. Among rotation players last season, only Ben McLemore (40.0%) and Danuel House Jr. (36.3%) shot a higher 3-point clip.

It will be about 14 months between Green’s foot surgery and when the 2020-21 season begins, so he’s expected to be healthy. If that’s the case, Green could help spark a surprising run for Silas and the Rockets.

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