3 Top 5 picks Raptors sensation Scottie Barnes is outperforming
By Mike Luciano
2. Jalen Green
Green is being given every opportunity to experiment and find his way in the NBA for a Rockets team that knows they aren’t going anywhere this season. Like Suggs, Green’s recent quality run of form pales in comparison to what Barnes is doing for a postseason contender.
Green is averaging 14.4 points, but he’s doing so while making just 38% of his shots and turning the ball over 2.3 times per game. Some advanced numbers show that Green’s inefficiency and the steep defensive learning curve he is dealing with have limited his effectiveness.
Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes is doing more things than Jalen Green.
As the Rockets proved in their loss against the Raptors, they have a long way to go before they can provide Green with the proper support he needs. Barnes might not be the primary scoring option on his team, but he’s still managing to score more than Green while being a better defensive asset.
Green will have a very long career in this league. The fact that he’s done the things he has on the offensive end despite just turning 20 years less than two weeks ago. However, as far as any sort of rookie year evaluation is concerned, Toronto may leave this season with fewer questions about Barnes than Houston will have about Green.