Even without context this team looks like booty juice if Jabari isnt there. If Tari isnt there I largely don't notice because Jaesean Tate is like 85% of Tari Eason. I can find like 5 Tari Easons in this draft and exactly 0 Jabari Smiths. Yall really need to zero in on what Tari does when he isnt manufacturing steals against unaware opponents. He's not like defensive Jalen Green but....he's more in that direction than I'd prefer. It doesnt matter either way I dont see either player going anywhere and neither is high on my priority list to trade (there are two dumber players I'd prefer to trade). Tari is what he is though. I expect to see the same exact version of him for as long as he's here. Jabari I have a different expectation (as do most teams probably).
Will Jabari ever reach in his best season production similar to 26.6/6/4.2 on .642 TS% and slightly below average defense? The answer is no, absolutely zero chance. He simply lack too many offensive skills to even come close. I would prefer the Rockets don't trade Jabari for KD myself due to age and money, but anyone who thinks Jabari can reach the heights of even 37yr old KD is delusional.
Does KD shoot the same 8 shots per game that Jabari gets ? Currently, we don't have a single player..not one that would have a better season than KD ....not if you want to talk reality over the next 2-3 years. He's not going to be anything other than a #1 option.
If Bari was close to a young Horry, this wouldn't even be a conversation. Horry used to make posters on players. He was also transferring from college center to small forward
KD is a grown up JSJ taken to the highest level. That said JSJ couldn’t have a better player to model his game after. KD is what JSJ needs to unlock his potential. Both players playing 3.5 with crazy length and shooting is scary for the rest of the league.
You must didn't see KD year 3. He was light yrs from what Bari is in the same yr. Bari has no basketball feel in game.
Tell me who we have right now that you see hitting that mark ? Let's look at this past season: Jalen- 21.0 pts per game (need 5.6 increase on average PPG and forget .642 TS%- 17.5 FGA PG Sengun-19.1 PPG (needs 7.5 PPG increase,TS% fell from 58.5 to 54.5 TS)% - 15.0 FGA FVV,Amen-14.1 PPG (needs 12.5 PPG increase..won't bother with the rest)- 12.7 & 10.1 FGA Brooks-14.0 PPG (needs increase 12.6 PPG..uh forget the rest)- 11.9 FGA Actually, Jalen would be most likely to have a chance but don't see it...ditto with the rest.Shooting will most likely tick DOWN depending on who we bring in...especially KD or GA.
As raw and tender as he was, KD as rookie had far more offensive skill than Jabari does now. It's a pipe dream to compare the two. Jabari is stiffer and less-skilled. He'll never become a diverse offensive player. As his career progresses and reality sinks in, he'll settle down and focus on what he does best: Jump shooting and defense. Hopefully he'll overcome self-doubt and develop a tougher mentality. From day 1 as a rookie, KD was determined to make an impact each and every game. Jabari doesn't have that programming at this level. When KD was blasted late in his rookie year for not defending and playing smarter on offense, he "took it personally" and sharpened up pretty quickly. TLDR: Please stop comparing Jabari to KD and what he could supposedly learn from him. I would not be surprised at all if KD's presence on the Rockets would impact Amen, Tari and maybe even Cam more than Jabari.
You are correct about KD, his talent along with Westbrook and Harden took a horrible team to finals. It was like a Disney movie. They got there through the draft but couldn’t afford to pay them all as they came off their rookie contracts. (My fear for us as we rebuild through the draft). This is how Harden became a Rocket.
