Houston Rockets: 3 players who must step up without James Harden

(Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
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(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

3. Gerald Green

Just two weeks ago, Gerald Green was an unemployed journeyman who was shooting around in his driveway to stay fresh. Now, the 31-year-old swingman appears to have found a nice living at home, as the Houston native has come out of nowhere to emerge as the offensive spark plug for the Rockets.

In his first five games with the team, Green has managed to score in bunches for Clutch City, as the 11-year veteran is averaging 16.8 points per game and shooting a red-hot 56.8 percent from beyond the arc. The former Slam Dunk champion has done everything and more to take advantage of his latest opportunity with the Rockets.

"“Thank goodness we got him,” Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni told ESPN‘s Tim MacMahon. “He’s been really good. He’s not just good. It’s not like ‘Oh, this is nice.’  He’s been really good.”"

While D’Antoni will take any help that he can get without Harden, Green has proven to be the ideal fit in Houston’s offensive attack. His ability to shoot from downtown makes him an excellent wing threat behind Chris Paul and Eric Gordon, who will need as much assistance in the scoring department as possible to help the Rockets put together another winning streak.