You can just see his body is not fully developed. He should be in school right now realistically, but he's in the league with grown men, a huge spotlight, and a ton of pressure because of his draft position. I feel for the kid, but he's getting paid, so he needs to perform sooner rather than later. I do think he'll be alright. 6'11, switchable, good motor, etc. He has the tools, the confidence just needs to get there.
Lord, these minion stance that Jabari has all the tools is what made the hype and hyperbole in the first place. Guys, this guy has mediocre talent, he just happens to be 6'11, really tall. Jalen Green has more talent in his finger.....but he isn't even that.
This brings back memories and makes me sad. Even when Auburn's team lost their edge the last 9-10 games, Jabari kept rolling. Today's Jabari is a mental shell of himself at Auburn. This is the main problem. No confidence, no swag, and a flat, broken, non-repeatable jumper that is complete junk. I'm his biggest fan but I really doubt he can be fixed this season. Watching Tari and Amen pass him by will probably put his mind further in the dumpster.
His body is what spirals the rest of these issues. He's been the biggest guy out there for his whole life, easily getting off whatever shot he wants. Now he goes to the league and he is going to get bullied. Amen and Tari were older than he was coming into the league, and Amen in particular is just athletically a freak. I could see Jabari being more like Tari at age 23/24 when he fills out a little bit. His defense will get better when he gets stronger, his rebounding will get better, his finishing at the rim will be better, and the confidence will go up. His shot is so bad right now compared to summer league, and what do you think changed? For me, it's confidence, pure and simple. He's not confident in his athleticism (because he's not really athletic right now), and so when he misses one or two jumpers, he's broken the rest of the game. When he's older, more mature physically and mentally, he'll be able to impact the game in different ways like Tari can. I just think those guys are apples and oranges. Jabari almost looks like a baby giraffe out there some time. Look at him in summer league when the competition is lower. He's a star, he's handling the ball better, the stroke is pure, the trash talk is there. I really think he's not ready for big time NBA minutes right now, but we were tanking, so they threw him out there with no real plan for how to use him. I'm not excusing his shot. It's horrible right now. I just think this a mental issue that can be fixed over time. If we give up on him, someone will pick him up and turn him into a great 3 and D role player in the right system.
HIs first shot from the corner last night actually had arc on it and I was delighted. Well that was short-lived, that brick he had from the wing where he was wide open was rough...
Coming out of college, Kevin Durant was even weaker than Jabari, looked like a stick figure, couldn't bench press 225 lbs one time and was widely ridiculed for it. He barely turned 19 before his first NBA game. Did he need to wait 5-6 years until he "filled out a little bit" to adapt to the NBA? The physicality excuse for Jabari is dead! This is his 3rd year. He is mentally defeated, not physically. KD still hasn't "filled out" and remains easy to push around, but that didn't ruin his shot form and stop him from a Hall of Fame career. Jabari is much worse than last year and it definitely isn't because of physicality. It isn't because of the "system". If he needs a fresh start to clear his mind and escape from high expectations, so be it. But the huge regression we've seen so far is on HIM, nothing else.
The NBA three point line is like really far, dude. I once dared to shoot from a few feet back of the line at 24 Hour Fitness and it took me weeks to recover from the fatigue.
Kevin Durant out of college was mocked for being skinny yes but people knew. People knew what he would be back then. they dont always know but Kevon was for sure going to be a killer. because he had everything. Smith did not have eveyrthing. he just shot well.
95% of Jabari's problem is his broken shot form. My sole point is blaming that on his body is nonsense. The problem is between his ears. Do you disagree with that?
Jabari asking Tatum how to deal with the stress and pressure of not living up to expectations in the Finals let me know it's mostly mental with him. Also, why would you ask Tatum that, he can't relate to it. But out of all the questions he could have asked Tatum, he asked him that which showed me that he's letting the noise get to him. It's not like the Rockets are a team that gets national attention and barely any local attention so he's incapable of even dealing with the smallest amount of pressure. Like dude, we're asking you to hit wide open shots, not give us 20/10.
Jabari's issue is easily fixable. It's his shoulders, his form! His shoulders are not always even. In college his form was perfect. I don't know if he sustain an injury which caused him to dip his shoulder more now or his lifting weights but his form is not the same. He was a taller Klay Thompson. I'm just surprised no one with the coaching staff has mentioned it to him that he has a tendency to dip his shoulder when he shoots now. It always amazes me how he can hit last second shots but can not hit regular 3's in the course of the game.
I don't think people realize how hard the game of basketball is until you play it. It look easy.....just put the ball into the basket. Lol Try it with people guarding and fouling you
He's rushed because the game is too fast for him. He needs to get faster with strength and speed training.
It's strange with Jabari. Because he's someone I'd want most when it's time to hit a timely 3 but he can't hit anything the rest of the game and he's probably the worst FT shooter in the league when it's last second free throws.
I've never actually played basketball before so I wouldn't know. I would probably suck, especially at shooting.
