Evaluating Houston's 2021 Draft Class: Rockets Headline with Haul
- Andrew Carter
- Jul 30, 2021
- 6 min read
Coming into the 2021 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets were looking for one thing -- talent. After a miserable year in which the Rockets finished with the league's worst record, a turnaround was needed. And what better place to find that turnaround than in the NBA Draft?
After coming out of the lottery with the second overall pick, Houston was put in a prime position to find their player of the future to build around going forward. Still, a draft class is typically more than one person, and Houston had two more picks to originally operate with. GM Rafael Stone's mettle would be tested with what kind of talent he could find with his other first round selections.
With the draft having concluded yesterday evening, here is Houston's 2021 NBA Draft class.
Jalen Green - SG, G-League Ignite
Perhaps the second most obvious selection in this year's draft, after Detroit took Cade Cunningham. Though there was some talk of Evan Mobley or Jalen Suggs with the pick, Green becoming a Houston Rocket was never really in doubt.
Green's talent cannot be ignored. A potential number one selection in most other drafts in the past decade, Green is the ideal offensive player that thrives in today's NBA. He proved as much in the G-League, where he played against NBA-level talent and thrived, averaging 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists a game. Green was often praised for ability to get to his shots while also playing within a pro-style offense, something that coaches respected.
At 6'6", Green has shown an ability to score at all three levels on the floor. His elite athleticism lends itself to strong finishing around the rim, and he shot 36% from three last season. Though he's a bit thin for his size, he has shown a commitment to getting stronger, and possesses an elite work ethic coaches rave about. NBA scouts regularly compare him to Zach LaVine, with a more polished offensive game.
His defense is a work in progress, but Green has displayed a desire to become among the best in the league in that aspect. Rockets' coach Stephen Silas, in a recent workout with Green, said that he was "excited to add Jalen to the group."
"As talented as he is, what stood out to me was his poise and humility while also being super confident at the same time. He wants to be great and understands that he has to work and grow to get there."
- Rockets Coach Stephen Silas
Green will presumably slide in at shooting guard to form an exciting young backcourt with fellow guard Kevin Porter Jr. With a veteran mentor in John Wall in the fold (for now), Green's figures to improve in his playmaking, defense, and decision-making.
There's no telling how high Green's ceiling is. And while there's plenty of room for improvement, one can argue that there's no better place for him to learn on the job among lottery teams than Houston.
Alperen Şengün - C, Turkey
The Rockets were thought to be strong candidates to move up in this year's draft via trade. They did so, but without giving up any of their other first round picks in this year's draft. Rafael Stone mentioned moving up to try and potentially grab players the organization liked, and they appear to have found one in Alperen Şengün.
After sending Oklahoma City Detroit's 2022 first-round pick (top-16 protected) and Washington's 2023 first-round pick (top-14 protected), Houston picked Şengün with the 16th overall pick in this year's draft. Şengün, who only turned 19 this past Sunday, is a big man hailing from Turkey, who spent his last season playing in the Turkish Super League.
Despite his age, there's a lot to like in Şengün. The young big man won MVP honors in the league, averaging 19.2 points and 9.4 rebounds a game while shooting a ridiculous 64.6% from the field. His three-point shooting is poor, but he's been developing a consistent jumper, as evidenced by his 81% free throw percentage.
Şengün utilizes a traditional post-up game, a rarity in today's league. Concerns have been voiced about the potential of that style of basketball translating into the modern NBA, where so many bigs can play outside the paint and on the perimeter. The Rockets' offense won't sacrifice it's highly kinetic style for a slow-developing play on the block. Additionally, Şengün is flat-footed at times and is severely lacking on the defensive end. The hope is that his footwork improves as he fills out physically, so that he isn't a defensive liability for the sake of his offense.
However, similar concerns were voiced about another foreign big who recently came to the NBA -- Nikola Jokic, who recently won league MVP. And while it's a bit drastic to compare the two so early on in Şengün's career, the similarities do exist. A tall, offensive-minded big with a crafty skillset on offense in the post-up game. That could pair well with two dynamic guards (Green and Porter Jr.) that can make plays off of the ball.
Şengün is certainly a long-term project. But Houston has always had a history of bigs who have revolutionized the game in some fashion. It's a long-shot, but Şengün could certainly be the next in a long line of elite big men in Houston.
Usman Garuba - F/C, Spain
Another foreign selection, Garuba was originally thought to have been a lottery pick in this year's draft. Also like Şengün, Garuba is only 19. The two are also close friends, and called each other to congratulate the other upon the draft's conclusion. Unlike Şengün, however, Garuba has a very different calling card -- defense.
Garuba was widely considered to be one of -- if not the -- best defenders in this year's draft class heading into the selections. Unlike many other of his peers, Garuba had an opportunity to showcase that defensive talent on the big stage. A member of Spain's olympic basketball team, Garuba went toe-to-toe with some of the world's best -- including Kevin Durant, who he was assigned to when Spain played the United States.
Garuba's defense will be his main calling card during his time in the league. He won't operate as a shot-creator or playmaker (not that Houston is in dire need of either), and will work more as a rim-runner off the pick-and-roll and a cutter. Garuba is tall and lengthy -- standing 6'8" with a 7'2" wingspan -- and has a good touch for finishing. He even has the capability of a nice pass from time to time. It helps that he's an insane athlete with an extremely high motor.
"I watch a lot of Bam Adebayo, I like his play style," Garuba said to CBS Sports. "I watch a lot of Draymond (Green) also sometimes. I like when Giannis would grab the rebound and do the fast break, all that stuff. I watch a lot of players."
It's easy to see those players in Garuba's game. Garuba is excellent in defending the pick-and-roll, and always seems to know when to kick himself into extra gear to break up a pass or earn a timely block. His instincts and feel for the game are evident, and will easily translate to the league.
For a team overflowing with offensive potential, Garuba has a chance to be the team's defensive calling card. Houston will gladly welcome that kind of player if Garuba can live up to the hype.
Josh Christopher - G, Arizona State University
Houston's last pick, and one with close ties to its first pick. Just as Şengün and Garuba were close friends, Jalen Green and Josh Christopher go way back. The two were AAU teammates for the Oakland Soldiers, and regularly spent time off of the court. Houston reunited the two with their 24th pick.
Like Green, Christopher is an explosive athlete who plays above the rim. It's hard to get any clear read on one-and-done college players due to the COVID-shortened season, but Christopher impressed in his limited playing time. An elite finisher who can finish through contact, Christopher was effective in creating his own shots with effective drives to the rim.
Naturally, an athlete like Christopher excels in transition. Arguably where he is most effective, Christopher scored 1.37 points per transition possession with the Sun Devils, about as effective as a player can be on the fastbreak. And while his jumper has been shown to falter at times, the mechanics are there, as evidenced by his 80% free throw shooting.
It will be curious to see how the Rockets employ Christopher, who isn't a lock for Houston's opening night roster. Green and Porter Jr. are locks to be present for opening night, along with Wall and Gordon if they aren't dealt or bought out. That isn't considering other potential backups like D.J. Augustin and Khryi Thomas. Christopher figures to spend some time in the G-League, where he'll get a better feel for the pro game.
Christopher is a combo-guard with plenty of upside, though space will need to be made to fit him on the roster. That figures to happen sooner rather than later, with most of the vets seemingly on their way out this season and next. By the time a spot opens, Christopher will have hopefully improved his game to serve as an effective backup guard to Porter Jr. or Green.
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