He’s got more offensive tools than Ariza. Development is constant for players and there’s nothing wrong with improving deficiencies. He’s not going to break defenders down off the dribble consistently and he likely knows that’s not his game. But he could dribble pull up at the elbows. He could dribble drive as defenders run him off the line. Or if ball rotates out weak side he can attack the seams. These things he can improve on and he’s continually working on them. Nothing wrong with that.
His play style and stats remind me of JaMychal Green Career per 36 Green - 14 ppg, 10 rebounds 1.0 steals 0.7 blocks, 48/37/78 shooting splits Smith - 15 ppg, 9 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.9 blocks, 43/34/80 shooting splits They're not identical, Jam has better shooting splits, Jabari shoots a higher volume of 3s, fouls&turns it over less, is a little taller. going against starters/came into the league at 19 vs Jam at 24. But as of today, Jabari seems like a similar caliber player to what Jam was over his career, a solid bench caliber big who can play a little bit of D, hit the 3, and rebound. The question is how much can he build upon that.
It’s a difficult decision. I believe Udoka starts Brooks since he can stretch defenses and get kick outs from Green and Sengun. Amen would compress that offense with no shooting beyond 8-10 ft. Amen runs with that second unit as most of his minutes are with Smith at the 5 and him at the 4. Or he’s in lineups at the combo guard with Jalen. He not necessarily has to shoot in these lineups. He is used to help set the offense and make plays at point and play short corner waiting for paint dishes from Green or Sengun etc. Which are his strengths
Where did you get this information from? Did he say that in interviews? He has already accepted his role. The coaches have wanted him to be more agressive and more involved in the offense. Not sure what this “dribbling himself into trouble” means. He isn’t out there trying to go one on one every play or holding the ball preventing the flow of offense Christian Wood or KPJ style. Players are always encouraged to score when there’s an opening and players always seek improvement. “Coach really trusts me there,” Smith said of his placement. “Just getting in there, making the right play, and being aggressive. I have shooters around me, Fred around me, Dillon around me, Jalen around me. So, I have shooters around me, and that kind of opens up everything for me. It is fun when they go zone, because it shows that they can’t guard us in man [defense]. We take that as a compliment.”
People don’t understand that not every single player on a team can dribble drive consistently one on one or be a dominant playmaker. All teams have roles and responsibilities to fulfill and all players come with specialized skills that can be maximized. Not everyone on the Olympic team was a dominant scorer or playmaker during the Olympics. Not everyone on the championship Warriors or Spurs teams were this either. Smith plays within the offensive flow and team concept. He makes winning plays on both ends and fulfills a purpose. These are players coveted in this league. I believe he’s one of those guys that will put a dagger in the Rockets if he’s on an opposing team especially a contender.
I don't know if I buy the comparison. Bari, as a 20 year old, had a better year than JaMychal (Who Entered the league at age 24) ever did... Using Per 36 for a career scrub like JaMychal Green to compare to Bari is just negative cherry picking. Bari hasn't shown out like you would want a #3 overall pick to show out, but he is way better than career scrub JaMychal Green. Bari will start and be productive in the league for a long time. He may not be an all-star, but give him some time before setting him out on the trash heap.
Im not saying he can’t or isn’t expected to become better than Jam as he matures, just that they seem like similar caliber players today. I don’t think Jam was trash, he played 9 seasons after coming in at 24, 2 way forward player who could rebound and hit 3s is a nice skillset. Jabari has been given a ton of opportunity with him being a high pick on a bad team. I don’t think raw production numbers are always a great barometer for talent in this situation. There are tons of players who were as good if not better than MCW for example, who never got the opportunity he did, and therefor never had a season like he did. Let’s say Delon Wright as an example, I think a similar but superior player to MCW. Yet never in his whole career has had a more “rawly productive” year than MCWs ROY season.
Compared to normal humans, all NBA players are incredible athletes, so I shouldn't call Jam a scrub or trash - just he was a career role player. I think Jabari is already better than JaMychal's peak. JaMychal Green had two years where he started for Memphis and he was not as good by the metrics as Jabari was this past season - whether counting stats (PPG/RBs) or VORP. Jabari still has a chance to grow into a bigger role in the NBA - it helps he is 6' 10" He obviously lacks in self creation which limits his upside, but as he continues to mature physically, I think he will become more valuable than peak Ariza and maybe as valuable as peak Al Horford - this is more than just a role player.
Bari is more similar to Rashard Lewis. Lewis handles were a tad better but he was very limited offensively. Couldn’t take people off the dribble consistently. Didn’t have great ball handling. Pretty good shooter. Lewis’ defense wasn’t as good as Bari’s. He was also a thin 6’10 guy
When you have to rely on per36 to defend your argument, your argument stinks. Bari's season last year was way better than any of JaMychal's. It's an absurd comparison. Rashard Lewis is way closer.
Wasn't Green more of a post defender, on the defensive end there is not much to compare. Jabari might be better, however, JaMychal did not move like a robot as Jabari does. To my recollection, he moved more fluidly.
My issue with Jabari is that he's not disappointing because his production, he's disappointing because you forget he's on the court half the time. Like if you're going to be a bust, at least go down trying. It almost seems like he's content with who he is and knowing that he's probably the safest young guy on the team right now. Like the only one who can legitimately threaten Jabari's mins is Tari but Tari doesn't space the floor enough for Ime.
Jabrari is the type of player you trade right now. He still has some good rep from the draft, but does nothing positive or negative to help the team. He disappears on the court for lengthy periods and just doesn’t contribute enough to make a real difference. Trade him for Zach Edey.
Tidjane Salaun (France) of the Hornets. I wish the Rockets would've Drafted him also. Tidjane Salaun plays with so much toughness and Passion. Shot is improving. Compared to Giannis Antetekounmpo.
Jabari Smith for Picks if he doesn't improve during the Season. He has to be traded during the Deadline. Because his Value could really tank and no Team would want him. Jabari Smith taking the ball out of bounds and lazily flipping the ball to OKC Player for a easy layup in the backcourt. Jabari Smith low post move, loses the ball and falls over for a turnover. Jabari Smith took two dribbles in the backcourt and picks up his dribble. Jabari Smith really needs to Focus at all times during the game, improve his ballhandling in traffic. Rafael Stone needs to closely look at Jabari Smith the Most. Jabari Smith should be not be paid the Max. Trading him for Future Picks is a better Asset to have.
