Filipino-American guard Jalen Green has emerged as the top scorer for Team Ignite across eight matches in the NBA G League season.
Jalen Green G League Ignite Debut | Full Highlights vs SCW 2.10.21 | 11 Pts, 5 Reb & 2 Ast
Green found his groove after a poor start in his first match, where he managed only 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting, and strung together a string of strong results. He has demonstrated his scoring touch, shooting 50.5 percent from the field, including 37.5 percent from long range, averaging 17.6 points a game.
It was just one point off his career-best, set against Iowa last February15, when Green made 5 of 11 field goals for 22 points, six rebounds, and five of 11 field goals. It was just one point off his career-best, set against Iowa last February 15, when Green made five of eleven field goals in a 97-90 victory for 22 points, six rebounds, and five assists. “He’s a quick study. You know, quick learner, and he is probably one of our most competitive guys that we have on the floor,” Shaw said of the 19-year-old Green, who is being projected as a top five pick in the upcoming NBA Rookie Draft.
“He was very efficient, he’s been efficient for the most part, but efficient with his scoring tonight,” he added.
As the young player has proven that he can score at any level, Shaw emphasized that he is not at all concerned about Green’s offense. Green’s progress at the other end of the floor was what impressed the coach.
The coach noted that Green is “defensively getting better and better,” and mastering the intricacies of an NBA-caliber defense.
“Playing the guard spot on this level is tough, and a lot of times, he starts out guarding the other team’s point guard,” he said.
“You know, for a young player, figuring out how to navigate over and around screen-and-rolls and pindowns, especially with his slight build, taking all of those bumps, I have been happy with his progress that he’s making on the defensive end,” he added.
“There’s always room for improvement, to get better,” said the young guard. “If you want specifics — defense, my shot, just knowing how to play. I had zero assists. There’s a lot to get better at.”
A potential top-five NBA draft pick joining the G League bubble was Jalen Green, and he’s meeting those standards. Lottery teams will finally continue to dream of how their roster suits him, becoming more secure that he’s the real deal. With Green likely to take account of any team picking early in the NBA draft for 2021, they listed his best and most interesting suits. They found only teams that were currently set to miss the playoffs.
Atlanta Hawks
They could potentially unleash one of the NBA’s highest-scoring backcourts if the Atlanta Hawks draft Green. For a team who wants another developer to take the burden off Trae Young, he may be the missing piece.
For Green, entering a lineup with such a ball-dominant guard will entail a change. But with his position and new teammates, he’s proving to be adaptable in the G League bubble. Between Green’s isolation game, better shot-making and secondary playmaking, he will find it harder to protect an already-potent starting lineup.
Detroit Piston
The Detroit Pistons can deliver a giant rookie role for Green. In a lineup featuring budding scorer Jerami Grant, he will get the beginning automatically and No. 2-option touches.
Because of how many on-ball reps he would get to develop and improve his innovative abilities and develop his playmaking IQ, Detroit would be an ideal landing spot for Green.
Houston Rockets
Green will have a healthy combination of on-ball reps and talent to play with the Houston Rockets.
He would get plenty of early minutes, especially if Victor Oladipo left Houston in the next few months, but alongside John Wall or Christian Wood, he wouldn’t have too big a workload as a producer. Green should be more careful when he doesn’t operate on the ball, choosing his spots to strike and learning to use his athleticism for scoring.
Memphis Grizzlies
If Green joined the Memphis Grizzlies, he and Ja Morant Morant will form the NBA’s most athletic backcourt.
As Jaren Jackson Jr. returns, Green will act as a go-to scoring wing, which the team needs even at full power. In recent years, Memphis hasn’t earned much production from the 2-guard location. Morant could concentrate more on playmaking with Green wired in there.
Oklahoma City Thunder
A roster of talented players on equivalent timelines to Green boasts the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder are at the beginning of a rebuilding process, which has tempered short-term aspirations. Without the expectation to win games quickly or bullying veterans to impress, Green may feel as though he might play more openly.
His on-court fit looks promising as well with the Thunder. Next to the craftier Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he could balance his explosiveness.
Orlando Magic
At full power, the Orlando Magic are curious, and with the inclusion of Green, they will be much more intriguing.
As their offensive rating has finished in the 20s per season since 2012-13, the Magic can need Green more than he needs them. However, when their primary emphasis is still on stopping Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon, defenses could struggle with a guard trio of Green, Cole Anthony and a healthy Markelle Fultz.
Orlando will give Green a chance to move into a starting rotation that already features proven talent. He could be the secret to opening it and propelling the Magic over the hump on which they were trapped.