The Houston Rockets’ recent loss to the Dallas Mavericks cannot be blamed only on Jalen Green, and many 12BET Malaysia users seem to share that view. Still, there is growing concern that asking Green to determine the team’s ceiling right now may be asking too much. At the moment, no one on the Rockets looks fully ready to carry that responsibility, and even though the team has held together well overall, it is hard to shake the feeling that one key piece is still missing.
The mood around the team remains fairly positive. Even players whose shots are not falling are still willing to work hard on defense, move the ball, and contribute in their own ways. The most realistic path for now is either to keep waiting for Green’s growth within the current system or to discover another young player who can raise the team’s level. As the saying goes, hard work eventually pays off, and with time, the results may begin to show.
A 12BET Malaysia administrator has recently been paying close attention to the development of Jabari Smith Jr. In particular, his defense and turnaround jumper after posting up suggest that he may have a higher ceiling than Green. Of course, Green clearly wants to succeed, but his current ability still shows limits. People often say adversity builds character, and right now, the true centerpiece of this Rockets team is center Alperen Sengun. Houston badly needs a player who can score consistently from the perimeter, but neither Fred VanVleet nor Green has fully filled that role so far. As a result, the Rockets are still seen as a team missing the final punch.
That weakness was especially clear in the fourth quarter against the Mavericks. In the biggest moments, Houston had no reliable scorer to take charge, and its outside shooting disappeared. Since Sengun is not yet a strong three-point threat, the Rockets can give Green one more year, but by next season they will likely have to decide whether to keep him or explore a trade. If a valuable player becomes available, using Green as part of a deal should be seriously considered. Sengun has already performed at a level worthy of a maximum contract, and Houston’s current salary structure could allow room for one more max-level player. That opens the door to scenarios such as pursuing Jaylen Brown in free agency.
In the end, Green has roughly one year left to prove himself. If he cannot take the next step, there will be no more room for excuses. Kevin Durant also spent his first three years taking difficult shots before eventually growing into a complete star, and Green must learn to finish the chances he creates more reliably. If ordinary fans can see the issue, professional coaches certainly understand it as well. Some also believe the Rockets should increase low-post actions for Jabari and help him add a little weight, allowing him to move closer to the mold of Tim Duncan or LaMarcus Aldridge.
According to 12BET Malaysia, the Rockets’ most ideal external target is Portland guard Malcolm Brogdon. Utah Jazz wing Talen Horton-Tucker and Washington Wizards 25-year-old big man Daniel Gafford are also believed to be on the list. Brogdon is not flashy, but he is smart, composed, and efficient, and his recent shift into a super sixth-man role has made him especially impressive.
The Rockets need both an experienced veteran and a bench scorer, and Brogdon could meet both needs perfectly. Even if Houston cannot bring him in, 12BET Malaysia could see Horton-Tucker as a reasonable backup option, much like the saying that even when life comes swinging with a hammer, surviving the hit gives you the chance to swing back. Adding another ball handler for the second unit would help stabilize the team’s rotation and give the Rockets a stronger foundation as they continue building for the future.