The Houston Rockets had one of the best regular seasons in the NBA this year, but they weren’t able to get far in the playoffs.
The Golden State Warriors were able to put the Rockets down after seven games, and fans are trying to figure out why.
Speaking on “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith didn’t go easy on Rockets star Jalen Green, who he said isn’t ready to be the face of the franchise.
“It’s about Jalen Green. Listen, the brother is young and ultra-talented. He seems a bit distracted. You haven’t seen a focus on his game where he has gotten exponentially better. They needed him in the playoffs. There was four games the brother scored single digits. With that talent? Single digits? Against Golden State? Really? I mean, that’s just panicking. That’s just deer-in-the-headlights kind of stuff,” Smith said.
.@stephenasmith doesn't believe Jalen Green is ready to be the face of the Rockets yet.
"The brother is young and ultra-talented. … He seems a bit distracted. … [The Rockets] need somebody like KD … like Giannis." pic.twitter.com/uXEYy7p1kz
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 10, 2025
Green’s 2024-25 average was 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
Fans were hoping he’d continue to play robust basketball in the playoffs, but he was wildly inconsistent against the Warriors.
In fact, he scored only single digits for four of the seven games against Golden State.
That just wasn’t enough for his Rockets, and the team was harmed by his output.
When Green was drafted as the No. 2 overall pick in 2021, a lot of people envisioned him as the future of Houston basketball, but now some aren’t so sure he’s ready for that sort of responsibility.
He could grow into it in time, but maybe he’s not yet prepared for such pressure.
Smith believes that head coach Ime Udoka needs someone he can build an entire roster around.
He suggested Kevin Durant, who is a rumored target for the Rockets in the offseason.
But even if Houston doesn’t get Durant, Smith believes that Green doesn’t have what it takes to lead.
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