Rockets final month stock watch: 4 risers, 3 fallers

Risers

Fred VanVleet

Fred VanVleet has had his best season across the board in 2023-24 and has been one of the league’s best in assists-to-turnovers all season. However, VanVleet has turned it up this month, averaging 21.1 points, 9.1 assists, four rebounds, two steals, and just 2.1 turnovers in March.

FVV’s shooting has also been scorching, as he’s made 49.5 percent of his shots and 48.5 percent of his treys, while hitting 90 percent of his foul shots. The 2019 NBA champion has also posted an insane 68.4 percent true shooting clip during this span. He’s been a true floor general who has helped the Rockets push the pace with their young athletes.

Jalen Green

Jalen Green has had a roller coaster of a year, as his productive offseason didn’t lead to the much anticipated third-year leap. However, he’s been flat out hooping of late, posting averages of 24.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists this month.

And although his efficiency has been in the doldrums for much of the season, he’s shooting 49.6 percent from the floor, 36 percent from long-range, and 82 percent from the foul line. Green has been good in March. Like 60 percent true shooting good.

His recent play is exactly what many have been expecting of him all season. His decision-making and processing has improved and he’s finally starting to hit his shots, which is mainly what he’s struggled with all season. If the Rockets are going to have any chance of making the play-in tournament without Sengun, Jalen Green will have to continue this level of play.

Jock Landale

Jock Landale has been a punching bag for Rockets fans all season, as he’s generally looked flat-footed and incapable of being the Rockets’ much-needed reserve big man. However, we’ve seen a significantly different version of Landale of late. In the last five games, Landale has averaged 8.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per contest.

In addition, the Aussie has made 65.2 percent of his shots, 75 percent of his treys (on limited volume), and 81.8 percent from the charity stripe. He’s been great as a screener (which the Rockets have lacked) and his mobility has resurfaced.

He’s been much more effective as a passer and he’s even shown prowess as a rim protector.

Amen Thompson

Amen Thompson has been as advertised of late and has lived up to his draft position thus far. He also has positionless skill and ability and can play essentially any position on the floor, aside from center. He’s averaged 12.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.4 stocks (1.4 steals and one block), and 69.2 percent from the field in his last five games.

Thompson has also not missed a free throw during that span, which has been a major concern earlier in the season. He’s also an elite finisher already as a rookie, and will only get better.