He really needs KPJ to look for him during the start of games but truthfully with KPJ Green Gordon… he’s not seeing many shots … unless KPJ is in PG mode to start the game … Green is a willing passer but was hot tonight …EG we already know he not passing unless double teamed
Great for him but so what? Rox didnt have a chance to get him to begin with thats like getting salty at Ja Morant going off for 49. Jabari is still a good prospect, he just isnt as polished as I expected him to be and will likely be a work in progress similar to Jalen Green. Look at Green vs Mobley now lmao. Just 1 game but havent seen any big leap in Mobley from last season.
Rebounding is about effort, everything equal. You can see the frustration in his face when 6 minutes go by in the 1st quarter and Bari doesn't even get to touch the ball. Bari needs to chill and find other ways to contribute.
You are not going to see a true passing point guard in KPJ. I don't know what the hell do the Rockets see in him.
It is about effort snd willingness to grit and grind as well. Jabari shouldnt be thinking of touching the ball cuz he cant even shoot straight. 3/14 and he frustrated he isnt getting the ball? SMH. I give Jabari an F this game. Shot horribly and also played soft AF, had the largest negative plus minus on the entire team by a mile. 1 rebound and 1 ast the entire game? Lol! He is expected to be the one of the cornerstones on this team he should be digging deep and giving 100% every game, no excuses.
Thought it was a good learning experience for him on general physical play. Adams was really manhandling him in the matchup, especially on rebounds. Smith plays too nice, this is not going to work against teams/plays like Memphis. I don't think he wasn't trying, just kinda deer in head light with how much contact there was
I think it's hitting him how fast, aggressive, and physical the NBA can be, and it's making him hesitant. Plus, it will probably take him a season or two for him to adjust, mentally and physically.
Green was Corey Brewer. Smith is Eric Piakowski. I am very happy to have two Rockets legends reprising on our roster.
Jabari looked good out there in my opinion. The players need to give him the ball more. But he’s probably to skinny to work in the post at the moment anyway. So we just need to be patient.
He also only shot 33% and I think 17% on 3s and had 4 turnovers. But don‘t get me wrong, I‘d be thrilled if Jabari had the numbers that Paolo is having right now. But I don‘t think we need to overreact after two games. Jabari will get fewer rebounds than other PFs. On offense he is usually outside at the 3pt line - not close to the basket. On defense he should get more rebounds, but his big strength is switching to smaller defenders - which also means he is doing a lot of defending either farther away from the basket or defending a drive, which puts him out of position for the rebound. Still, he definetly needs to work on his rebounding and he needs to get better at driving to the basket. But he is also 19 and has only 2 NBA games under his belt. I am not worried about him. And at the same time, Paolo is who I thought he will be - maybe even a little better already. But he was long gone by the time we got to pick, and it probably would have cost us Eason and next years frp to even have a chance to get him.
I thought Smith played slow, soft and shied away from contact at times. That being said, we missed 3-4 opportunities to get him wide open corner 3's.
This kind of reminds me of when Lebron went to Miami. Not saying KPJ and Jalen are them but Bosh was kind of left out a lot. They have to find a way to get Jabari the ball. Whether that’s off screens or high post.
Piatkowski* I think Eric Gordon starting has a bigger impact than most perceive. Jabari would be better served by someone like Tari or Tate (when healthy) starting. I also don't know if Silas is the right coach for a guy like Bari. Bari needs a structured offense and not chaos. Gordon and Silas both wallow in chaos. I think it's not allowing him to be as comfortable, or look as "pro ready" as he should or potentially could. I think his season trajectory will be a lot like Jalen's last year. And there's nothing wrong with that at all.
