We traded him because he clearly did not fit the vision for our core at the time. I question anyone’s Rockets knowledge who thinks otherwise.
As much crap Jabari gets from this fanbase (myself included), I have to keep reminding myself he's one of the youngest players on our team so he has alot more room to develop. Also, I doubt he'll be demanding a 30m+ extension like Green so his contract will be much more team friendly. Also, you can't teach length and Jabari does have length so there is always hope for him to turn the corner and improve to remain consistent both on offense and defense.
I wouldn't be so sure Bari won't be in line for a major extension. I wouldn't be surprised if he signed something akin to Jalen Johnson's extension if he continues to play well.
I’m (eyeballs) seeing massive improvement. It looks like he has smoothed out the mechanics on the three-point shot, and I love it when he pulls up for three in semi-transition. You can tell that he has working on his ability to get to the rim from time to time.
From a team construction perspective, it is uncommon to build around 3-4 core players. Teams typically build around 2 top players with star potential, and then players 3 and below are traded/drafted/signed to complement the stars. This is because it is really hard to pay 3 top players full salaries. The current Rockets are more balanced because we're young. This same dynamic is the reason OKC traded us Harden.
Jabari's TS% is now higher than last season and the highest of his career. Keegan Murray as an example in the same draft somehow is 24 and shooting worse every season. With his 3 pt % under 30 now.
I know he was in foul trouble, but I still would’ve went with Jabari until he fouls out, instead of Dillon going 0-11
Dillon had a bad game. I don't blame him for being in the game, that's on Ime. That foul to send it in to overtime was one of the dumbest decisions I have ever seen. He is in because he's a vet that's supposed to know better. Oh well, he will start as long as we are winning consistently. Ime is too conservative to be proactive and Dillon has played the best of his career to start the season. If his shot continues to regress there is no logical reason to continue to start him. Vet or no, Amen is a much better and smarter player than Dillon.
Has anyone noticed him doing something different with his shot? Seems like things are going better for him recently.
Jabari has a "mental problem". He'll never be athletic. He'll never be physically strong compared to other bigs. At best, his handles will evolve to become average. But, regardless, he can still be a very effective player on a championship team. The problem is between his ears. Sometimes Jabari plays like he's 6'4 and can't finish around the basket if his life depended on it. Sometimes his jumper is completely broken and flat as a pancake, despite most of his 3-point shots being uncontested or barely contested. Sometimes he thinks it's a good thing for him to dribble the ball into traffic or on a fast break. Other times his jumper is butter and becomes a weapon. Other times he see a mouse in the house, backs it in and swishes a turnaround anywhere from 5 to12 feet away. Other times he actually hits a shot after contact. The difference is Jabari's confidence in himself. His first two years, you could see the wheels turning inside when he got down on himself after making early mistakes and he was usually worthless the rest of the game. The main trigger was missing a couple of easy jumpers and his energy level would go down. This is the second time this year I can remember when Jabari was complete trash in the 1st half but completely redeemed himself in the 2nd half. He started off playing soft as a baby's bottom but later locked in during the 2nd half on both ends of the court. This is progress. What he has to do is take a page from Dillon Brooks and start bringing the nasty from the very beginning Every Single Night. If shots don't go in early, he must realize it isn't the end of the world and then level up on defense and rebounding. Jabari's inner vibe is so transparent it makes me laugh sometimes. He's gotta take no prisoners regardless of the score and circumstances and forget he was the #3 pick in the 2022 draft (and the expectations that come with that). Just play ball and stop thinking so much!
When he’s aggressive on offense good things happen, when he gets out his head on offense and makes a quick decisive move, great things happen… and when he doesn’t have time to measure his shot from 3…he’s money I want him to go to the school of Kyrie.. 2 dribbles shoot…. Anything more than that, pass it out and get it back
I don't understand why he doesn't get more post-ups when Sengun is on the bench. He seems pretty automatic.
He is absolutely wrecking the offensive boards. When he doesn’t get it himself he is extending the play for others to grab it. His aggressiveness the last few games has been wonderful to see. Confidence is what is holding him back as with most guys his age.
Bari has recovered from his post-injury shooting dip (his 2nd dip of the season if u include the poor start) and will likely be back in the 36% area on 3’s to finish the season. If he finishes around where he shot last season, considering the being out 2 months with a broken hand, and the improved defense, I’d say not bad. I like the resilience.
