NBA legend LeBron James and his star-studded Los Angeles Lakers came up on the short end of an overtime thriller on Wednesday versus Jalen Green and the young Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.
But despite the heated game, which included Rockets veteran Eric Gordon literally spinning James with an early move, the future Hall of Famer was willing to give credit postgame where credit was due.
When asked about the No. 2 overall pick of the 2021 NBA draft, James said this of Houston’s top rookie (via Adam Spolane, Sports Radio 610):
He has great shot-making ability. Everybody looks at his athletic ability, but his ability to make shots, he’s been doing this for quite a long time now, going all the way back to high school.
I feel like he’s just getting better and better, and the great thing about him being (in Houston) is they’re a super young group besides a few guys. It’s allowing him to make mistakes and learn on the fly, and that’s definitely gonna benefit him.
A California native, Green has now scored 20 or more points in seven of his last nine games for the rebuilding Rockets, who have suddenly won two of three contests this week. Since the All-Star break, Green is averaging 21.8 points per game on 49.6% shooting and 35.9% on 3-pointers.
Green and the Rockets will look to continue that momentum when All-Star Luka Doncic leads his Dallas Mavericks into Houston on Friday night. Tipoff from Toyota Center is set for 7:00 p.m. CST.
More LeBron on Jalen Green: "I feel like he's just getting better and better, and the great thing about him being (in Houston) is they're a super young group besides a few guys, and it's allowing him to make mistakes and learn on the fly, and that's definitely gonna benefit him" https://t.co/4ee6XKMRQH
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 10, 2022
