Although Alperen Şengün’s defense and shooting don’t fully meet Coach Ime Udoka’s expectations, he remains the Houston Rockets’ most consistent scoring option. As the team’s primary offensive choice, Şengün is often tasked with making clutch plays.
Fred VanVleet, a trusted player under Udoka, praised Şengün in a recent interview:
“Şengün is one of the best at creating his own shot and capitalizing on one-on-one opportunities. He also has excellent passing skills that make our offense efficient. Passing him the ball is always a great decision.”
Despite Şengün’s reliability, his scoring explosiveness is limited. That’s where Jalen Green steps in as the team’s scoring spark. When Green is in form, he can score in bunches, playing like a superstar. Another key advantage of Green is his durability. Since the Rockets entered their rebuilding phase, Green has been a true ironman. He played all 82 games last season and has appeared in 29 games this season, averaging 19.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1 steal per game. His shooting splits are 40.6% from the field, 31.1% from three, and 86.7% from the free-throw line.
In the Rockets’ last game, Jalen Green had a quiet night with just six points, but he reached a significant milestone: he became the first player from the 2021 draft class to surpass 5,000 career points.
How Do Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley Compare?
Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, has scored 3,379 career points. This season, Cunningham is averaging 23.9 points, 7 rebounds, and 9.7 assists per game while shooting 45.3% from the field, 37.3% from three, and 78.8% from the free-throw line. However, his availability has been an issue. Cunningham played only 12 games in his second season and 62 games last season. This year, he has appeared in 26 games.
The Rockets initially targeted Cunningham for his 6’7” frame and playmaking ability. GM Rafael Stone viewed him as the perfect lead ball-handler. However, the Pistons refused to trade the No. 1 pick, leaving Houston with the No. 2 selection. Known for his polished game and sharp court vision, Cunningham has helped Detroit improve to a 13–17 record this season, ranking 10th in the Eastern Conference with a shot at the playoffs.
Evan Mobley, selected third overall in 2021, has scored 3,614 career points. This season, he is averaging 18.5 points, 9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game on 56.9% shooting from the field, 41.5% from three, and 78.1% from the free-throw line. While Mobley’s defense and versatility elevate his floor, he has faced injury concerns. Mobley played only 50 games last season but has appeared in 28 games this season.
Mobley’s skill set and physicality made him an attractive prospect for the Cavaliers. His playoff experience is also noteworthy, with 17 postseason games under his belt. However, for the Rockets, Jalen Green’s athleticism and marketability made him the preferred choice, as supported by team owner Tilman Fertitta.
Other 2021 Draft Class Scorers
The player closest to Jalen Green in career points is Franz Wagner, the No. 8 pick in 2021, who has scored 4,713 points. Wagner, a versatile 6’10” forward, has maintained solid availability throughout his first three seasons and even played seven playoff games. Unfortunately, he’s sidelined indefinitely this season with a right oblique strain.
Coach Ime Udoka praised Jalen Green’s durability, saying:
“In an era of load management, being available for every game is a rare and valuable trait.”
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