Rockets’ Jalen Green excited for ‘winning point guard’ in Fred VanVleet

Jalen Green on Fred VanVleet: “That’s super dope for the team, not just for me… to have a veteran point guard, a winning point guard, that we can learn from and set the tone for us.” #Rockets

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Point guard is a position long associated with NBA leadership, and the young Houston Rockets added a recent champion by signing longtime Toronto Raptors star Fred VanVleet.

Count prized prospect Jalen Green, the No. 2 draft pick in 2021, as among those enthusiastic about the move.

While supporting his summer-league teammates in Thursday’s fourth straight win at Las Vegas, Green did a television interview with a reporter. When asked about VanVleet, who Green has already participated in offseason workouts with, the enthusiasm was clear.

Among Green’s comments:

That’s super dope for the team, not just for me but for the whole team … to have a veteran point guard, a winning point guard, that we can learn from and set the tone for us.

Green averaged a team-high 22.1 points per game last season. However, his shooting efficiency (41.6% FG, 33.8% on 3-pointers) was underwhelming as the centerpiece of Houston’s rebuild. Green was forced to become a top option at a younger-than-usual age.

Now, with veterans VanVleet and Dillon Brooks added in 2023 free agency, Green should have more support entering his third professional season. It’s a welcome development, to say the least.

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