Rockets News: Legend earns praise, Jalen Green earns award

The Houston Rockets have rostered a lot of great players over the years. Their fans have been spoiled by talent.

The James Harden era was incredible to watch. Before that, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady thrilled Rockets fans. Historians know how impactful Moses Malone was for the squad.

None compare to Hakeem Olajuwon.

The man known as "The Dream" is unequivocally the best Rocket in history. There's no counterargument. Recently, another Rockets legend sang his praises.

Former Rocket gives the Dream his due

Granted, some will question Scottie Pippen's status as a Rockets legend. He's a former Rocket and a legend, but he never quite put it together in Space City.

Let's avoid semantics. Pippen's words carry weight. So, his recent praise for Olajuwon's defensive excellence is worth noting.

"He was a tough, physical guy, had great hands. You couldn't get the ball around him, he was so great with his feat and having those soccer skills"

- Scottie Pippen on Hakeem Olajuwon

Pippen is on the PBD podcast discussing Victor Wembanyama's potential to surpass Olajuwon's quadruple-double count. As much as Rockets fans would like to believe him, they shouldn't count the Spurs phenom out. He's inevitably going to be one of the best players in NBA history. Luckily, the Rockets have young talent of their own.

One of them just won a substantial award.

Rockets' Green named Western Conference Player of the Week

That would be Jalen Green. He is your NBA Western Conference Player of the Week.

Given the discourse around Green this year, this is a monumental occasion for the young man. There was ample justification for giving up on him, but by now, those justifications feel flimsy. Green is playing like a superstar.

Those are staggering numbers. Green's 32.5 points per game are impressive enough, but a 63.3% mark from three-point range is patently absurd. These are, as the kids say, video game numbers.

They're almost too good...

Rockets' Green must sustain high level of play

We'll all need to lower the benchmark below 63.3%. That would be the best shooting season in NBA history by far. In January, Green has made prime Steph Curry look like Steven Adams shooting free throws with a blindfold on.

The three-point shooting will come back down to earth. It's inevitable. Luckily, he's been sustaining himself on a more realistic shot diet than he had early in the season. Green is shooting closer to 8-or-9 threes per game these days, which is more appropriate than 11-or-12 for a player with his skill set.

He needs to continue relentlessly driving to the rim, and he still needs to improve his midrange game. If he can do those things, the Rockets can likely continue to rely on him as a source of star-level production:

Just don't expect him to surpass Hakeem Olajuwon.