Couldn’t help but wonder. Also with the amount of Mobley fans around here and on Rockets Twitter pissed about passing on him last year (I know ya’ll are still around): Does drafting Jabari make up for it? Who would you rather have? Is Jabari actually the better fit?
I'll try to be short in my answer... As a person who wanted Green over Mobley last year (about a 60/40 split) and I wanted Smith this year... I'd say Mobley. That being said I'm extremely excited and happy we got Green/Smith and would pick that duo over say a Mobley/Ivey duo.
Imagine the defense from a Mobley/Smith front court... two 100% switchable-on-the-perimeter big guys who can also secure the paint. It would have been a nearly unique defensive ability. Add in Tari Eason and it would have been glorious chaos for the other teams offense.
I don't want to writ off Jabari at all, but I'd lean Mobley right now. I think he's a better rim-protector and has the edge in size/finishing ability (arguably ball-skills too). Both guys are highly versatile on D and Jabari's shooting ability is likely more elite than any individual skill Mobley has. But definitely hoping Smith ends up better, it wouldn't be shocking by any means.
Close call. I said Mobley simply because I have seen him play in the NBA. That shot though. If Jabari can develop a solid handle, it won't be a close call.
Sorry, not taking the bait. Still on cloud 9 right now with draft of Bari N Tari. And if Jabari shot not falling, we all know he will be locking it down on defense. Not just effort, talking about near elite switch defense. I'm so heypee!!!
Guys, the OP is asking the ceiling, not the present. This is how I see it: Defense Mobley > Smith. Mobley is stronger and better to defend against big men. Perimeter defense, they are about equal, maybe giving a slight edge to Smith. Offense Smith > Mobley. Mobley will never come close to Smith's shooting ability. Neither guy is a playmaker. Overall Smith's offensive advantage > Mobley's defensive advantage
This is exactly how I view it, though if it shook out this way, I’m not sure which player I’d prefer.
I kind of agree with this. Mainly because ultimately one great defender can only do so much. We saw what happened withe the Cavs when Allen went out - Mobley was still good, but overall the defense took a decent drop. Mobley unquestionably has the higher defensive potential. Not a question. But Smith is REALLY good on defense, too, and potentially/probably better laterally on the perimeter. Smith is unquestionably the better offensive player. Mobley was a meh 3 point shooter in college and worse in the NBA. BUT... to be fair to him, just as Smith has defensive advantages potentially over Mobley, Mobley is also super solid offensively not doing more than he should, around the basket, probably a slightly better passer right now. Honestly, Mobley = Smith is good with me. Dealing with reality, the Rockets options last year were: * Green, Mobley, Suggs, Barnes This year: Smith, Ivey If you want a guard-big combo, there is no question which guard you choose. It's not even a debate. There are questions on which big you choose, but you likely choose Mobley. But Green-Mobley wasn't possible. So Green-Smith is potentially the best option that was available. Hypotheticals adding Cade, Paolo and Chet are fun to consider, but are only hypotheticals... couldnt have happened. The only other thing that coudl have theoretically happened is Mobley-Smith. Assuming they landed the same spot in the lotto. And that is certainly interesting to think about, but ultimately I'd DEFINITELY take Green-Smith over Mobley-Smith
I really think Mobley only gets marginally better from his rookie season. I just don’t see the fire I see in Jabari. Mobley will always be a good defensive player. Jabari is going to be a beast and has the body to be Giannis with a shot, although he will definitely need to develop his handles.
Jabari has the potential to be a game changer on both ends of the floor. I don‘t think the same is true for Mobley. That‘s why my vote is for Jabari.
Perimeter defense is more important to me than rim protection especially in this 3 point era. Give me Jabari.
I think if Mobley went in this year's draft he'd be a clear #1 choice. I think he showed better ball handling/shot creation ability coming out of college. Time will tell who winds up being the better player.
Okay but who's going to score the buckets and not only that who's going to make the difficult ones in closing stretches of playoff games where defense tightens up? Jabari is a great shooter but he isn't the type of scorer that Green will be in his prime where you can dip the ball to him anywhere on the court even on a full court press and find a way to make a bucket. And Mobley will obviously never be that player also.
If the other team scores zero points, and you go 1 for 26 from the field, you still win 2-0. '94 Knicks basketball philosophy.
Without knowing how last year rookie played. I won't pick Green, Mobley, Barnes over Chet. Cade is debatable depend what your team need and want.
