I think he needs to improve significantly or we need to go in a different direction, especially if we are playing Amen substantial minutes. That's also why I'm interested in seeing Sheppard / FVV / Thompson / Bari / Sengun lineup.
Jabari is very lucky that he doesn't have a weird cult gassing him up as the love child of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant..... and that at the end of the day he's still a decent starting caliber player because he's been a bit of a disappointment given his draft spot.
I think most posters here hoped Orlando would take Jabari at #1 so that Banchero would fall to us. Very few people had delusions of Jabari being a superstar level player, although some people still make the odd KD comparison. What helps his perception is that the entire 1st round after him lacks star power except for Jalen Williams, who went nine spots after him. Jabari just being okay is seen as a decent consolation prize.
Yeah, Jalen Williams is the only player picked after him that is clearly better. (Williams was ironically seen as a tweener before the draft.) This draft class is only two years old. We can't judge who picked the right player until maybe two years from now.
Won't even matter, the upcoming 2 drafts will pour in players that will blow this Banchero Chet Draft out of the water. If much better players come in, an otherwise solid Jabari will only look even more pedestrian. I guess that is his (odd) luck.
I don't think Jabari will be compared to players in the next two drafts. There have already been two drafts since his draft class. Two more years on top of that is a huge gap in NBA terms. It'd be like comparing James Wiseman (2020 class) to the players in this recent draft. People don't really do that with individual prospects across different draft years. Even in a historically bad draft like 2000, it's not as if NJ was upset with Kenyon Martin at #1 just because 2003 was a historically good draft class. They were probably grateful to nab an all-star at all. No one looks at Mike Miller as a bust at #5 because #5 in 2003 was Dwyane Wade. If anything he gets a reputational boost for being a decent player in an awful class.
I've been critical of the idea of Jabari as a future star player - which you hope to get, relative to his draft hype/credentials - based on what we've seen - but he has looked really bad this preseason to a point way below even that I hope it's just preseason randomness but - it ain't great
I've said since the middle of last season the concern about the Rockets having to max out 5-6 guys was nonsense. Case in point: Jabari. There will be others. IMO, this season, at least 2 youngsters will play their way out of a long term future with the Rockets.
Are we really sure that Jabari is a decent starting PF on a good or playoff team? Is he even in the top half of starting PFs in the league (understanding that the league is increasingly positionless).
Jabari and Cam have been disappointing in the summer league/preseason games so far. Jalen's performance is very encouraging. Alpi and Amen will continue to get better. Tari is incomplete coming out of injury. Reed looks very promising, probably more so than Amen was last summer. I think Alpi, Amen, and Reed are keepers. Bari and Tari will need to prove that they are at least good role players. Cam still have time to figure it out. Jalen is on the clock, a make or break season for him.
Jabari gets a pass because the only player better than him that was drafted after him is a full two years older than him. He is still very young, and has only had one year under a real coach. He also says and does the right things, and i don't think anyone is questioning his work ethic, he genuinely seems like basketball is his priority, not being a celeb , dating models or being on a runway. People are less worried about what he is doing on or off court because besides the coaching staff, his dad is at games and will let him hear it if he screws up, he is not surrounded by a bunch of yes men off the court. Jalen Green is his entire family's source of income, they have let him do what he wants his whole life so there is really no one to talk some sense into him if he is doing something off court or on court that needs adjusting (other than coaches and maybe Fred). With Jabari we know whatever he is won't be limited by things in his control.
His body is weak.He needs more muscles. In long term he will be better.But i expect Amen taking his starting spot.
I thought he's actually playing pretty well outside of his shots not going in so far, but generally I'm not too worried about him not being able to shoot. He's playing a connective role for this team and he's done that. We should note that in his rookie season he played one pre-season game and was on fire, and then proceed to be god awful for most of his rookie year. So always take some grain of salt with pre-season performances especially if it doesn't fit the context of what you think his role is gonna be. I looked back a bit at last year's tape and realized how nice of a connective passer he actually is, it isn't appreciated but he basically doesn't turn the ball over, he rarely makes "bad" decisions.
Totally agreed. I hope he is okay with taking a connective contract that allows us to keep our studs!
I've been bullish on Jabari since the draft and through the off-season but it just doesn't seem to be clicking for him. Granted Chet hasn't looked much better either in his games but does the 3 and D thing better. Paolo and J-Dub carrying that draft class.
Unfortunately just a bust of a pick. Dude is soft, can’t shoot nearly as advertised, mentally weak, average defender. Would love to trade him for a vet that can fill the PF gap. This guy doesn’t have it.
What's crazy is he said he worked on putting muscles this off season and I just don't see it. Like even with Jalen I can tell he got stronger each season, with Jabari it's like nothing changed.
What drives me crazy is doing the broadcast, Ryan and Craig were mentioning how Jabari looks bulkier and stronger and I’m looking at the tv like. Maybe I need HD. Sengun looks leaner and muscular, jalen and Amen looks taller. Jabari looks the same. Jsut got a fresh haircut. He got the Anthony Edwards cut
