On August 14, 2024, I wrote my first article for The Dream Shake about whether Jalen Green could eventually follow the path of an NBA legend. In that piece, I compared Green’s first three NBA seasons to the early years of Kobe Bryant’s career.
At the time, many fans reacted strongly. Some agreed with the comparison, while others completely rejected it. Looking back now, one thing remains clear: discussions around Jalen Green always bring strong opinions.
Now that the 2024-25 season is over, it feels like the perfect time to revisit the conversation.
Jalen Green’s 2024-25 Season
Before diving deeper into Green’s future, let’s look at the numbers.
Over 82 regular-season games, Jalen Green averaged 21 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. He shot 42.3% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range.
At first glance, critics may say those numbers look almost identical to his career averages. That argument is fair. However, another perspective exists. This season, Green produced those numbers while helping lead the Houston Rockets to 52 wins and a playoff appearance.
That matters.
The biggest difference this year was consistency. In previous seasons, Green often disappeared for long stretches. This season still included rough nights, but those stretches happened far less frequently.
Durability Became a Major Strength
Availability also became one of Green’s greatest strengths.
For the second straight season, Green played all 82 games. In a year where several key Rockets players missed time because of injuries, his durability became extremely valuable.
Simply put, Houston probably does not win 52 games or finish with one of the NBA’s best records without him.
Green led the team in scoring. He recorded 14 games with 30 or more points and several explosive performances that completely changed games.
The Playoff Struggles Cannot Be Ignored
Still, we cannot ignore the obvious problem.
The playoffs were disappointing.
In seven postseason games, Green averaged only 13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting just 37.2% from the field. His three-point shooting dropped to 29.5%, and he struggled to find rhythm against Golden State’s defense.
Without his 38-point masterpiece in Game 2, the overall numbers would look even worse.
Even Green admitted after the series that he needed to play better.
As expected, many Rockets fans immediately jumped to conclusions. Some argued Houston should move on from him entirely. Others claimed the contract extension was a mistake.
But honestly, that reaction feels premature.
Jalen Green Is Still Very Young
Jalen Green is only 23 years old.
People often forget how young he still is because he has already spent four seasons in the NBA. More importantly, fans overlook the environment he entered when he joined the league.
Green came into a rebuilding franchise with little structure, limited veteran leadership, and constant losing. Development was never going to happen overnight.
Unlike previous generations, Green also skipped college basketball entirely and came through the now-defunct G League Ignite program. While the program gave players professional experience, it clearly failed to fully prepare young stars for the mental and tactical demands of NBA basketball.
That context matters.
Comparing Green’s Situation to Other Young Stars
Many fans compare Green to Alperen Sengun, who looked far more comfortable during Houston’s playoff run. Sengun absolutely deserves credit. However, their situations were very different.
Green faced constant defensive pressure. Golden State built entire game plans around slowing him down. Sengun dealt with tough defense too, but opponents clearly prioritized stopping Green first.
Even Rockets coach Ime Udoka mentioned this after the series.
According to Udoka, the Warriors showed Green a level of defensive attention that reflected how dangerous they believed he could become. In the one game where they defended him more directly without heavy trapping and extra help, Green exploded for 38 points and Houston cruised to victory.
That performance revealed something important.
The talent is real.
The inconsistency remains frustrating, but the upside is undeniable.
Kobe Bryant’s Early Career
History also supports patience.
People forget Kobe Bryant struggled badly early in his career too. During his rookie season, Bryant averaged only 7.6 points per game and played limited minutes. In the 1997 playoffs, he famously air-balled multiple shots against Utah during a critical elimination game.
At the time, many Lakers fans questioned whether he would ever become a superstar.
Development rarely happens in a straight line.
Today’s NBA culture makes patience even harder. Fans expect immediate greatness. Social media intensifies every bad performance, and young players face nonstop criticism before they fully develop.
But championship teams usually grow through mistakes, failure, and experience.
The Rockets Need Patience
The Rockets understand this.
Since Tilman Fertitta purchased the franchise, Houston has tried nearly every possible team-building strategy. The organization has traded for stars, signed veterans, and rebuilt through the draft.
The only approach that truly delivered championships, however, was developing homegrown superstars.
That process takes time.
Jalen Green does not need to become Kobe Bryant. That comparison was never about saying he would reach Kobe’s legendary level. Instead, it highlighted how difficult early development can be for gifted young guards.
What Jalen Green Must Improve
What matters now is whether Green fully commits to maximizing his own potential.
The talent has never been the question.
His athleticism, shot creation, explosiveness, and scoring ability are obvious. Teammates consistently praise his work ethic and desire to improve. Coaches continue to believe in his upside.
Now the challenge becomes mental growth.
Great players learn how to respond when defenses adjust. They improve decision-making under pressure. They develop counters for playoff basketball. Most importantly, they embrace responsibility instead of running from it.
Green now stands at that crossroads.
The Rockets’ Future Looks Bright
At 23 years old, he still has time to evolve into the player Houston believes he can become. Players often make major leaps between ages 24 and 27, especially guards learning how to control pace and read elite defenses.
Meanwhile, the Rockets themselves are still growing.
This is not a finished championship roster yet. Amen Thompson is still developing. Sengun continues learning. Jabari Smith Jr. has room to improve. Houston’s core remains one of the youngest among playoff contenders.
That is why abandoning Green now could become a massive mistake.
Yes, the playoff struggles were frustrating. Yes, the inconsistency still exists. But elite talent combined with durability, youth, and work ethic remains incredibly valuable in today’s NBA.
Final Thoughts
The Rockets do not need perfection from Jalen Green right now.
They need growth.
If Green embraces the criticism, improves his efficiency, and learns from this playoff experience, Houston’s patience could eventually pay off in a major way.
And if he becomes the best version of himself, the Rockets may finally have the dynamic star they have been searching for since the James Harden era ended.
For now, patience remains the smartest move.
The story of Jalen Green is still being written.
