2 overlooked rising stars hiding in plain sight for the Rockets

The Houston Rockets haven't received much national attention over the last several years, as they've seemingly not had a primetime game in ages. Such is life for a rebuilding team, as not many NBA fans are tuned in to a young team without structure and direction, which has been the case with the Rockets prior to this offseason.

Again, it's understandable. During the regular season, casual fans are only focused on contending teams who could push for a title run. If they're even paying attention during the regular season, that is.

2 overlooked rising stars hiding in plain sight for the Rockets

Many casual fans start paying attention to the NBA during the postseason mainly, where the stakes are the highest. This faction of basketball watchers likely don't know anything about the Rockets, as they haven't been anywhere close to the postseason since the James Harden and Russell Westbrook pairing.

This has caused many to miss out on the boatload of young talent that the Rockets have accumulated during their rebuild. Let's take a look at several promising, young players who many may not realize possess superstar potential.

2. Jabari Smith Jr.

Jabari Smith Jr. is a strange case, as he had been penned as the top overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft in the months leading up to the event, however, once he slipped to the Houston Rockets with the third pick, many seemed to have forgotten about his talent and ability.

Perhaps it could be due to his slow start in 2022-23, as Smith averaged 11.9 points and 7 rebounds through his first 50 games. Smith was unable to throw a rock in the ocean, as he made just 35 percent of his catch-and-shoot scoring opportunities, in addition to 37 percent of his pull-ups and 39 percent of his drives.

In spite of the early struggles, Smith's hustle and two-way ability remained constantly visible. And he eventually overcame his initial struggles, averaging 15.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, 47.2 percent from the floor, 36.5 percent shooting from deep, and 78.3 percent from the charity stripe over the last 20 games, hitting tough shots and even game-winners.

Smith put everyone on notice in the Summer League, posting averages of 35.5 points, seven rebounds, four assists, 1 block, a league-leading 13.5 free throws per game, 48.8 percent shooting, 85.2 percent from the charity stripe, and 33.3 percent from behind the arc.

And more game-winning shots.

Smith is a star-level talent and his attitude and humility will help him get there too.

1. Jalen Green

Much of the conversation surrounding Jalen Green has been centered on media narratives. Perhaps we should blame Bill Simmons for that.

Many NBA fans don't even think about basketball at all when they think about Jalen Green, as a viral video from when Green was a teenager in high school has dominated all recent conversations and overshadowed his talent and capabilities.

On the court, there's no denying Green's talent and ability as a three-level scorer. Green has bulked up over the years and the added strength and muscle helped him nearly double his free throw attempts from 3.5 in 2021-22 to 6.1 in 2022-23.

Not to mention the fact that he upped his scoring totals from 17.3 as a rookie to 22.1 as a sophomore, all while playing in a free-for-all offensive system that lacked structure, not to mention the lack of a true, pure point guard.

Green has been training with Team USA's select team and has apparently been turning heads, based on what we've heard from several media members who have been in attendance for some of the scrimmages and practices.

Green has been finishing through contact in transition, throwing skip passes, and dialing it up from deep off-the-ball.

The narratives of Green being an inefficient shot chucker are about to come to a screeching halt.