The Phoenix Suns are now planning to go into next season with Jalen Green as the team’s starting point guard. Green has primarily played at shooting guard throughout his NBA career and in the G League Ignite before that, so this will be a new challenge for him. It will definitely push his skill set in new ways, but it might end up being the best thing for him long-term.
Jalen Green needs to slow things down
During his time on the Rockets, Green was known for inconsistent play. He would sometimes flash incredible displays of scoring, such as a 38 point outburst against the Warriors in the playoffs last season. But other times he would be inefficient from the field and unable to get a consistent source of offense.
Green’s problem is that he tried to force his own offense too aggressively. He would often hunt for his own shot at the detriment of the team’s offense, including settling for pull-up jumpers when it would be better for him to drive to the rim or pass it out to somebody else. The Rockets never had the best offensive teammates for him, which may have contributed even more to developing bad habits.
Although the Suns probably won’t be as good overall as the Rockets next season, they may be a better fit for Jalen Green. Devin Booker will be a great off-ball threat and give him room to operate as a primary ball handler.
Booker has shown the ability to play both on and off the ball and developed his playmaking over the years, a leap that Green will hope to replicate. Playing point guard alongside Booker should force Green to slow down his own tempo and look for the best shot on every trip down the court, whether that’s for himself or a teammate.
To be a true point guard, Green should be picking his spots wisely, which can help his efficiency on lower volume. Adding more of a playmaking element also makes him a more complete and dangerous offensive player who teams cannot neutralize with a simple double team.
In the NBA, Jalen Green has been at his best attacking the rim and showcasing his supreme athleticism. Being more selective with his rim attacks and playing a patient point guard role will actually make him more effective. Teams won’t be able to predict his every move and load up to stop it if he has some different counters, including passing.
The Suns are asking a lot from Jalen Green to play a point guard role which he’s not accustomed to. In the short term, the results might not be ideal and Green may struggle. However, in the long-term, this is likely exactly what he needs to grow as a player and take the next step to being an all-around guard.