USA Today via Reuters
Oct 26, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (0) reacts during the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 26, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (0) reacts during the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Green’s impressive start to his Houston Rockets and NBA career has already gathered the fan’s appreciation. After tying Michael Jordan in the NBA record of least number of games taken to have a 30 point game, fans could predict that Green is destined for greatness. However, the most surprising comparison which would make Jalen Green tear up is that of him and his hero, Kobe Bryant.
After Jalen Green’s first few games as a Rocket, a fan account made a unique observation about Jalen’s style of play. The fan account made a compilation of similar plays of Kobe as a rookie and Green’s first few games. And several fans across the NBA concur with this comparison.
Jalen Green x young Kobe pic.twitter.com/9SDdOlLVhV
— arxn (@arxanii) October 26, 2021
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When I look at players I ask "who does the best version of this player remind me of ?"
Here are some thoughts;
Bones Hyland…Letrell Sprewell
Jalen Green ….Kobe Bryant
Evan Mobley… Anthony Davis
Isaac Okoro…Robert Covington
Scottie Barnes…Draymond Green— Hiram Boyd (@hiramboyd) October 14, 2021
We don't see this type of skill combined with this type of athleticism & size from a SG that often. Enjoy Rockets fans. The start of a new era. JG.
'84 ~ Michael Jordan — '96 Kobe Bryant — '21 Jalen Green…!!!
— Progs (@Coog2) October 5, 2021
I’m taking Jalen Green
— babs🚀 (@hakeem_harden) October 1, 2021
Jalen Green did in 3 games what Kobe Bryant could not do till Game 90
Before the NBA Draft, Jalen Green’s high school coach revealed he wanted his narrative to be compared with Kobe‘s. One could say that Jalen Green took a similar path as Kobe into the league. Moreover, he has also taken up a similar responsibility as Kobe did with the Lakers. And with his 30 point game against the Celtics, he has shown sparks of his potential to fulfill that expectation.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 26, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (0) dribbles during the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Green promises to be the future of the Houston Rockets along with the 3 other tremendous draft picks. Jalen’s athleticism, his style of driving to the basket, and his shooting hot zones all have been very similar to Kobe Bryant so far. So it is not a surprise that Green is slowly becoming a fan favorite for Rookie of the Year.
What does this mean for the Houston Rockets?
Similar to how Kobe spent his entire career wearing the purple and gold, Rockets fans will hope that Green can also stay loyal to Clutch City and retire as a Rocket. Considering that Jalen himself wanted to get compared to Kobe, and now that even the fans are doing that should be a confidence boost for him.
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After being compared to the likes of Jordan and Kobe, would Jalen be able to shoulder the burden of the responsibility? Will he be the next superstar from Houston? Fans certainly think so.
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