The Clippers are having an on-court realization about Kevin Porter Jr. the Rockets already knew

It's been quite a ride for Houston Rockets fans since James Harden left.

During the Beard's time in Space City, the Rockets were perennial contenders. Harden reached statistical heights the NBA hadn't seen since WIlt Chamberlain while leading Houston to the playoffs on an annual basis. To put it lightly, he left a void.

Rockets fans tried to fill it with some questionable players. They sought out stardom for players who weren't destined for it. The Rockets are in a strong position now, but during the tanking days, fans were desperate for hope.

Some invested a lot in Kevin Porter Jr. He let them down. Porter Jr.'s off-court issues are well-documented, but that's not what this piece is about. The Rockets tried to groom Porter Jr. as a Harden-esque point guard, and it didn't work out.

It still hasn't.

Conference rivals learning harsh lesson about former Rocket

There is some ambiguity about what qualifies a player as a point guard in 2024. Gone are the days of Mark Jackson in the high post waiting to make an entry pass. Point guards are allowed to call their own number.

Yet, a scorer does not a point guard make. Even if score-first point guards are fashionable, they need to have some floor vision. Quality decision-making is still imperative to point guard play.

That's been a sore spot for Porter Jr., and it still is. If anything, the problem has been exacerbated. In 2024-25, Porter Jr. is averaging 7.4 assists and 5.5 turnovers per 100 possessions. It's one of the worst assist-to-turnover ratios in his career.

The Clippers are learning about his flaws the hard way.

Rockets shouldn't miss Porter Jr.

Granted, roughly 49% of Porter Jr.'s minutes have come at the 2 this year. Disregard the putrid 22.4% he's shooting from long-range in 2024-25. The salient point here is that he's not running much point for the Clippers.

Isn't that a chicken-and-egg dilemma? The Clippers aren't using Porter Jr. as a point guard because he's not a point guard. They wish he was. Norman Powell is having a career year. He's hyper-efficient, but he's not a standout playmaker. Harden (as Rockets fans know) is, but he's only one man - and he's only getting older.

Either way, this isn't the Rockets' problem. If the assist-to-turnover ratio is the measure, VanVleet is a consummate point guard. Even if some fans think the Rockets need a more dynamic playmaker at the position, Porter Jr. would not be the answer.

Luckily, Rockets fans aren't so desperate for an answer anymore.