Rockets sign Jabari Smith Jr. to 5-year, $122M extension

I got to go to Jabari's first summer league and I've been a big fan since. He seems very humble with his coaches and the fans while there's clearly a dirty dog ready to mix it up if someone wants it. My only problem with Jabari is the tendency to disappear during games. Like whole quarters he's just kinda invisible. I would like to see that end. Get a little of the Tari chaos magic and put it in this disciplined form.

 

I was at the first summer league and not sure how you were a fan. Looked like the #45th pick. He gives you one good game every 2 weeks. Very inconsistent.

 

On offense, it's hard to tell whether the reason he doesn't do more is because he's not assertive enough, the team isn't giving him enough chances, or some combination of both. But I will say it that I think it's promising that he showed up in the playoffs and knocked down 45% of his three pointers and shot 50% overall in limited minutes.

On defense, I'd say he's fairly consistent. He's not an elite defender but he doesn't make many major mistakes and he can switch well and his size allows him to contest shots from most players effectively.

I like Jabari for what he is, I think he is destined to be a very good roleplayer. Maybe that's mildly disappointing from a #3 pick, but I wouldn't go so far as to call him a bust or anything. I think he'll have a long career in the NBA.

 

probably the best Jabari analysis I’ve heard on here. Agree.

 

Nah, he's giving him to much praise

 

Lost me there a little with that liking that dude for what he is.......

He doesn't have the bag, the speed, the coordination, high end athleticism and explosion to be much more, simply put, he has some talent but not ample talent.

Still, he could be some version of Reggie Miller lite which a lot of here would be excited about. Without that flamboyance but same annoyance.

 

I think he'll get beat by Tari and Dfs for that starter spot but politics will force him to start.

 

IDC that much about politics, they are going to win regardless of who is there......Bari is probably the smoothest out of those 3 even if he is still a mechanical robot.

Tari's chaos is fun to watch yet frustrating, Dorian Finney is mercenary 3D, nothing stylish. Latter has the most experience.

 

What is the point of drafting a star player who is not good enough to bring championship. You can not keep them in the team unless you pay the super max. Jabari turned out to be a great role player with somewhat reasonable salary. Happy to have him over Banchero

 

In these Rico Hines videos, you can see Smith taking the same midrange shots he was shown working on in the instagram videos from July.

Maybe this season will be when he starts to really incorporate them into his arsenal during NBA games.

 

im done judging workout videos, KPJ looked like Kobe in his and we know that guy is worth ****.

 

There is growth year after year and he plays well in bigger games. He is finding his way and may not be third pick worthy but he absolutely deserves a place on the team.

 

Fair point. Though with the Rico Hines clips, I think some of the players use their court time to work on specific moves. Like when Harden suddenly added that shoulder bump to his drive a few seasons ago.

But yeah, I wouldn't read too much into a few offseason online videos either.

 

Id rather see Jabari in a KD-lite role off the bench than in a Dillon Brooks role with the starters. Being able to rotate KD and Jabari in allows for him to continue to grow into the role and let KD not get driven into the ground.

 

I think he would be a great help for Reed off the bench if plays were run to get him to his spots on the floor. His height makes those fadeaways almost unguardable. Part of his inconsistency is not being utilized on offense enough.

 

Otis Thorpe was good enough to help us win a championship... i see Jabari being on the same level... obviously not the same game and inside vs shooter - but the same level... PJ Tucker level... not a star but a good glue guy...

 

Jabari has always been a great mid range shooter. He just lack the ability to get to them in NBA games. Mosy notably his handles are really bad. And unfortunately you cant replicate that kind of defensive intensity in these kind of offseason games.

 

I wish he had some kind of handles that would be considered bad but he doesn’t have any handles period, lmao..Seeing him dribble is so damn cringey!!!

 

We are paying him role player money, if he could dribble and create he would be near max player.

The reality we already have our stars Sengun, Amen and KD for the next 3-4 yrs.

People who expect us to run out 5 stars just dont think about the cap.

 

Jabari is so important this season in the starting lineup. KD, Jabari and FVV have to put up a ton of 3's to make up for and space the floor for Sengun and Amen.

A lot of attempts left behind by Brooks and Green while KD doesn't ever take more than 6-7 attempts. Jabari will take more 3's than ever. Just watching KD practice and playing with KD for a whole season will do wonders for him.

One thing that hasn't really been spoken about is KD/Jabari/Amen defensive potential. That's three guys with 7 foot+ wingspans who are pretty good at blocking shots at their positions. If you add DFS and Tari to go somewhat "small", you have 5 highly switchable guys with 7 foot+ wingspans - and only one non-shooter on the floor.

Jabari is key this season and I think he'll step up.