Houston Rockets: 5 bold predictions for the 2021-22 season

Houston Rockets predictions: 1. Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green flash potential as a lethal duo

Kevin Porter Jr. has had a difficult time fitting in in both the NCAA and the NBA thus far. He’s had off-the-court issues which have hurt his chances at a lot of playing time, but when he does play, he is a game-changer. KPJ is as crafty as a guard can be as he can get space with his bag of handles and hesitation moves, while also being a lethal downhill guard. If given the opportunity, he could easily be a high-scorer in most games with the shots he can hit.

It was evident in a matchup last year with the eventual NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks when he dropped 50 points and 11 assists. Now with the news that Wall is going to be moving on from the team at some point, it is clear that KPJ is going to be the lead guard on offense.

KPJ with the No.2 pick Jalen Green is going to be a nightmare for other teams defensively. These two have the potential to each drop 20+ per game this upcoming season and will pad the stat sheet most nights. The two could legitimately grow into an All-Star tandem in the next couple of years with the scoring prowess they possess. When they matched up in the G League, it was must-see TV as they combined for 50 points, and KPJ fell a rebound short of a triple-double. Since then, the two have made it pretty well-known that they appreciate each other’s game and are looking forward to competing together.

This season they may not churn out a lot of wins as the team figures each other out, but they will be fun to watch on a game-to-game basis. All it takes is one of these two guys to find their stroke in any given game to pull off a sneaky victory. While they definitely can put the ball through the hoop with ease, the question lies on the defensive end. How long is it going to take Green to adjust to the NBA-level on defense? Can the two confidently stay with opposing guards? It may take time, but the physical tools are there.