Get with the times. Klay Thompson types are a lot harder to find than first options in today's NBA. Guys like JJJ, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Klay Thompson etc all these guys are easy max contracts even if they aren't considered superstars because of their shooting and defense.
Continues to play winning basketball. His role will continue to grow because he’s going to force it. This is how a young players trajectory should be. Understand how you can impact winning in various areas of the game. And the scoring will come a long with it. Yeah this kid is going to make a ton of money
Probably Baris last score of the game vs Memphis is what he needs to develop more of next year. Faces up on a point guard from the 3 point line, drives past him, into Roddy and Jackson and past them both with a driving layup. Once he can control his face up game (which requires PRACTICE dribbling in the off season), there is a whole other level his game can go to. I don't think we will see it this year, Udoka is (rightly) focussed on winning games. But if he manages to add it for next year, his ceiling is obviously much higher
Jabari is so good but he's also a really unique player. I was trying to come up with a player comp for him and I honestly can't think of one. Trevor Ariza with offensive skills? Khris Middleton but more defense less offense? The 6'10 forward version of Jrue Holiday? Michael Porter Jr with defense? What teams thought they were getting when they gave Tobias Harris money? I guess Rashard Lewis with defense/rebounding is one I've seen a lot, and that's pretty good. Anyway I feel like I'm just doing some shitty Bill Simmons routine now where everything has to be some dumb reference or comparison. Jabari is Jabari and he's awesome. Love this guy.
Jabari ascension goes to show coaching does fking matter. Folks were calling him a bust last season, wonder where they are now.
captured a great hater post a while back actually: https://bbs.clutchfans.net/threads/jabari-smith-jr.319514/page-8#post-14891759
This is...very generous to Jabari lol. "What if this first ballot hall of famer that never shot 3s was actually a sniper from 3." But hey, sign me up.
He's starting to become one of the players that I trust most on this team. He plays within himself and doesn't make many mistakes (takes good shots, doesn't turn the ball over much). On nights when his shot is off, he still finds ways to contribute with rebounds and defense. He might not always put up gaudy stats, but he's a winning player
As long as you aren’t comparing him to Shawshank or Godfather characters, I think you are not doing the Simmons thing.
I exaggerated a bit there, but they have a similar style, I think. The post turn around shot was a staple for KG, and Jabari's great at that as well. As Bari gets stronger, he'll start finishing those tougher shots around the rim (which he's already improved at) and become a beast defensively. I really want him to be featured more on offense like in Summer league. I don't think he's even gotten a chance to get in his bag yet on offense this season, tbh. Here's a great KG breakdown vid. I think they have similar play styles. Of course, he probably won't end up better than KG, but I'm rooting for him.
Is Jabari Smith the Jesse Plemons of the NBA? He might not be the marquee man, not the one with his name on the billboards, but every time he's in the game, he's just awesome. Just like Plemons steals the scenes in all these shows and netflix movies, Jabari keeps making his mark in every game. He's not in the spotlight, not the leading man, but every appearance is a reminder of his greatness. You can't help but love it, even if he's not the headliner. Jabari Smith is the scene-stealer of the NBA, giving us unforgettable performances whenever he steps the court.
4 straight 10+ rebound games in a row. Even when he isn't making shots, he is impacting the game. We are even seeing some Battier-esque glue-type rotations which is the backbone of a team that can win ugly, and we have been winning ugly. Tari+Jabari+Alperen could be scary...
Don't look now, but even though Jabari's minutes are slightly down, every counting stat is slightly up and his efficiency went from bad (.514 TS%) to very good (.590).
Bari was looking so stiff earlier in this season and now he's looking fluid! Wow, he was looked like KG lite with his touch around the basket in this game!
One thing I've noticed with Jabari on the perimeter is his handle is *way* tighter. Night and day difference from last year and even in October where he would dribble it really high. It almost looks.....good? Incredibly happy with his improvement this year.
