Why Jeff Green is the Houston Rockets’ most important bench player

Jeff Green’s immediate impact on the Houston Rockets

Green wasn’t likely to make much of an impact for any team besides the Rockets this year. After being released by the Utah Jazz, where he never seemed to fit in, Green didn’t receive much interest from other teams. It took another two months before the Rockets signed him to a 10-day contract. Even after being signed, not much was expected of the NBA veteran.

Green had an immediate impact in his first game as a Rocket. Playing backup center minutes, Green showed his ability to stretch the court and get to the basket off the dribble. Green would go 6-for-7 from the field and 4-of-5 from deep to finish with 17 points.

It wasn’t a one-game fluke either, as Green would average 10.4 points and shoot 41.2 from deep in his 10 games played. With limited depth up front and Tucker not known for his offense, Green is essential to the Rockets’ success. In the 10 games since he joined the Rockets, the bench has improved to 18th in scoring.

While P.J. Tucker is the Rockets’ quarterback on defense, he isn’t expected to do a lot on the offensive end. Conventional plays for centers like the pick and roll or pick and pop arent Tucker’s strong suits, as he is more inclined to set up in the corner.

Green can not only spread the floor, but he can also take his man off the dribble. The ability to create his own shot and make shots from all around the arc is a tremendous addition that gives the Rockets the most flexibility they’ve had at the center position all year.

Next: Inside the Advanced Stats