Jabari Smith Jr & Amen Thompson chosen for USA SELECT TEAM

Jabari Smith lack of skillset.

Looking at how Kevin Durant shoots, looks lighter in his shot, smooth dribble.

When Jabari Smith shoots it is heavy load jumpshot, dribbling is still clunky and confusing.

 

The Cooper Flagg highlights on the USA select team are the type of player I thought we were getting when we drafted Jabari.

 

Don't let reality get in the way of made of CF narratives, it's Jalen Green, he paints his nails ffs!

 

I thought the article above said Amen AND Jabari showed GREAT? Not one but both, so why would you say Jabari does not belong?

 

Nah Bari too stiff

 

Jabari did dunk on Embiid .

 

What Jabari were you scouting?

 

This will likely be a highlight or the highlight of his career. He is what he is and that is a slightly below average player who garners 13-14 points per game. Not awful, but not great. He has competitive fire in him that derails from his game at times because he tries too hard and thinks too much. Puts too much pressure on himself for things like game determining free throws. Doesn’t have the clutch gene that Amen has where his only thought is how to win the game at all costs in the closing minutes of games. We can survive with Jabrari and his toothpick physique, but to move forward we would be wise to trade Brooks and Jabrari while the return is still relatively decent.

 

There has to be a Higher IQ Player that can cut to basket from a Alperen Sengun pass like it is second nature, Dribbling, shooting corner 3s. Taking over games is Very Rare for Jabari Smith.

2025 is his Free Agency Year, the Rockets are more concerned about Jabari Smith fit and fighting with Jalen Green on the sideline. Jabari Smith can't set a strong Pick for any Guard that is why Jalen was angry at Jabari, he didn't set a pick after a Timeout. Jabari weaknesses, Dribbling is flawed, Shooting is inconsistent, Low IQ and gets confused on offense.

 

He averaged 14 last season at 20 and you think he’ll average that for his career? Goodness, people say some silly things on this board.

 

Disagree with the clutch gene. Agree with the competitive fire in him being a detriment. At times Jabari feels entitled and it's shown at various times during his stint. He just tries too hard and it feels like he trips over his own feet. Like when a guy practices the lines he's going to use to hit on a girl and then just slurs all of his words together when he finally does. He's also overextended himself a few times (like the time I think he was calling for Sengun to get benched) when he just isn't there yet as a player. Jabari needs to chill because he's going to find himself benched and ornery for the rest of his career. I think taller Trevor Ariza is on the table with him right now and he could get into a better Lamarcus Aldridge trajectory if he work at it. His biggest issues IMO are in between his ears. Him and Jalen are the two members of the youth movement that have a "self anointed" sort of vibe. And they are the most inconsistent. Everyone else just kinda hoops.

 

Trade Jabari Smith if Amen can shoot 3s or Cam Whitmore, either Amen or Cam starts at Power Forward.

That is why no Super Max is given to anybody. Need flexibility if 2025 Trade happens.

Interesting that Fred VanVleet has 2025 Team Option. I think Reed Sheppard will be Starting after the Rockets decline Fred VanVleet.

PG Reed Sheppard, Aaron Holiday
SG Jalen Green, AJ Griffin
SF Dillon Brooks or Cam Whitmore
PF Amen Thompson, Tari Eason
C Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams

 

Did Amen attempt a 3 point shot with the US select team?

 

This stuff about Jabari moving without the ball on offense and getting through screens like a SF on defense is getting me too excited.

 

just a fan take. can totally be ignored

 

Did Cam grow 4 inches? Cam at PF, give me a break.

 

The new pj tucker.

 

I know the odds of it being Cooper Flagg for us were low, but watch that Brooklyn pick we sent back turn into them getting him now.

 

Apparantly both stood out defensively. Guarding LeBron and Curry no less. Excellent news.

 

Jump shot, Jump Shot, & Jump Shot!!!

I don’t get why our great American athletes don’t work on the fundamentals. If Amen had a consistent 3 ball he’d be our best player by a mile. Jabari would be scary as hell if he had a better outside shot, Same with Jalen. It’s just baffling how these guys have the same weakness.