Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. has developed a unique sensibility in his new role this season as Houston’s starting point guard, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. Porter calls his own style “Scoot ball.”
“Basketball today is hardly traditional,” said Porter of his role with the Rockets. “I tried to become a traditional (point guard), but that’s not me at all. I’m ‘Scoot.’ I get a bucket or set my guy up.”
The 6’4″ guard, who was a small forward during his rookie season with the Cavaliers and a shooting guard last year with the Rockets, is averaging 13.3 PPG, 5.2 APG, 4.2 RPG and 1.2 SPG for a tanking Houston club in the second season of a rebuild.
There’s more out of the Southwest Division:
- Spurs forward Doug McDermott was well aware of teen rookie shooting guard Joshua Primo years before they were teammates, as Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News details. “I’ve been impressed with him for a long time,” McDermott said. “My dad [Creighton head coach Greg McDermott] recruited him really hard at Creighton. I think it came down to Creighton and Alabama. So I’ve been watching Josh for a long time. I’ve always known he was going to be a hell of a player.” The 18-year-old Primo is currently logging significant minutes with San Antonio’s G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs. “[My college decision] came down to [Creighton] and Alabama,” Primo confirmed. “I went to Alabama, but we still kept in touch.”
- Pelicans guard Josh Hart appreciates new head coach Willie Green‘s confidence in his shot creation, per Christian Clark of NOLA.com. “Willie has all the trust in me to go out there and play my game and play with confidence,” Hart said. “I think that’s the biggest thing that we talked about. It wasn’t just standing in the corner and hoping and praying for the ball.”
- Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram returned to action following a seven-game absence due to a hip contusion, and his activity helped fuel just the second New Orleans victory of the year, a 112-101 defeat of the Grizzlies. William Guillory of The Athletic examines how Ingram’s 19 points helped the Pelicans end their nine-game losing streak. Ingram addressed the calming influence of new head coach Willie Green through a tumultuous start to the club’s 2021/22 season. “(He’s) just keeping guys positive — making sure their heads (are) up, making sure they’re staying confident in everything that they’re doing,” Ingram said. “Our guys have put in the work. He sees that, and he just wants everybody to be successful on the basketball floor.”
Ingram would look decent in a Sixers uniform.
They should’ve just drafted him when they had the chance
Porter is no PG. At best a combo guard. He doesn’t run an offense or manage a game well. To me he’s best as the third guard. Rockets should get Green a real PG. Unless you run an offense like Warriors. You are best off with a real PG. And Warriors system needs IQ guys. Rockets can get good value this yr by moving Porter and Wood.
KPJ’s 5.2 assists per game is tied for 30th in the NBA. At worst he’s a combo guard who’s still the youngest player with 50 points and 10 assists in a game.
so he’s in line to be the next brandon jennings.
Always thought Porter and Green would be an odd fit. KPJ has done well to get the assist numbers up, Green has disappointed me a little.
Looking back at it now I think Evan Mobley would’ve been a better pick. Wall KPJ Wood and Mobley. Two bigs than can play inside and out. KPJ gets the freedom to be a scorer and play Wall. If he performs well then you might get better value on a trade and if he gets injured then tank for another good pick
He is shooting .37, .30 and .64. Who cares how many assists he has. That’s all after shooting .42 and .31 last year.
I’m a big fan of KPJ and I want him to do well, but I’m also conscious of the copious amount of turnovers he has and the erratic game play. I’m all for a building team developing a couple young promising stars but to me I’d rather back Green and Sengun over KPJ, he can be amazing but I’d rather focus on the other two and try to move him for both us and him. Who knows packaging him and wall could get a reasonable starting PG in return. If not drop him to 6th and convince wall to get back on the court.
You realize they have a pg right? He makes a whole lot of money and he’s not playing, lol.
The Rockets radio announcer is calling Kevin Porter Jr. by his nickname “Scoot”.