The Rockets might have been one of the NBA’s worst teams, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have their bright spots.
Take Jalen Green — Houston’s No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft.
As a 20-year-old NBA freshman, Green averaged 17 points, three boards, and nearly three assists a game. He did this while shooting 34 percent from three-point land. It’s not superstar production, but it is stellar for a rookie just getting their feet wet in the Association.
Green was rewarded for that effort on Wednesday when he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First-Team. And after getting this illustrious honor, Green decided to put one of his more notable critics, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, on blast.
2021-22 NBA All-Rookie teams:
First team: Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Franz Wagner
Second team: Ayo Dosunmu, Chris Duarte, Josh Giddey, Bones Hyland, Herbert Jones
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 19, 2022
shoutout bill simmons my dawg fr🙏🏽
— Jalen Green🤍 (@JalenGreen) May 19, 2022
Simmons made waves in late April when he said he did not vote for Green on the All-Rookie First-Team. He even took it a profane step further while explaining why:
More from Rookie Wire:
“(Expletive) Jalen Green!” Simmons said on April 13. “I don’t care you’re scoring 40 points and your team is 19-60. Congratulations. Herb Jones is guarding dudes in real games. Now, the Houston people are going to be mad at me. I’m sorry. I like winning players, I’m sorry. Jalen Green will get there, it’s just that team was 21-61 this year or whatever.”
Green’s response toward Simmons after getting his rookie honor is totally understandable. That he took the high road — seemingly implying he used Simmons as motivation — makes it all the sweeter.
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