It first blossomed at the Thomas & Mack Center last July during summer league, when Green showed up to watch the Rockets play. He originally had retreated to the locker room looking for Jabari Smith Jr., his teammate and second-year forward who had decided to play in Vegas. But once Green was back there, he got the opportunity to meet Whitmore for the first time. There could have been some apprehension or anxiety on either side, since they play the same position. But nothing was forced or out of place. It just felt natural. “It was good energy, good vibes,” Green said.