Sam, I watched a lot of Jabari in college and also must confess to overestimating his NBA potential. At Auburn, he was an elite defender and an elite 3-point shooter. There is really no argument about that. However, as with many players, neither has translated to the NBA. When it comes to his lack of handles, SIGH!
Agreed. I think this increases the chance of the Rockets extending Jabari and Tari before the season.
Hopefully Jabari will be featured more without Jalen taking so many shots. KD is a good assist guy and Fred is good at finding him too. But they need to get him more touches in isolation and let him work. He’s almost automatic with his midrange game.
If im their agents I’m probably advising them not to extend this offseason. A lot more teams have cap space next offseason. They are likely to get more (either with Houston or somewhere else) if they wait. However, I do think with Tari it’s a little different. He hasn’t earned nearly as much in his 3 seasons and he’s been injured the last two seasons. So if the rockets make him a fair offer it might make sense for him to take it. But pretty sure Bari’s agent will advise him to play out the season.
All I know is that Ime better cut the crap with phasing Jabari out. He should be starting and getting more shots. Barely playing him in the playoffs where he showed up was absolutely terrible coaching.
I'm fine with that because I have serious doubts about Jabari taking a big step this year. Just don't see it happening. Hope I am very wrong.
I don’t think he takes a big step, because he has a coach that is satisfied with him being an occasional 3 pt shooter and playing good defense and rebounding. I doubt he gets any more shots than last year. Ime is a conservative coach. The offense is going to be a lot of Iso with Durant and FVV will play about 35 mins a game, because he doesn’t turn the ball over. Amen will get a moderate increase on ball, cam will be gone, and Reed will probably get 15 mins or so to begin the season. If he improves and can hold his own on defense, FVV’s minutes will slowly tick down and Reed’s will go up. I think if either Alpi or Amen develop a league average 3 pointer it will impact Fred the most and his minutes on ball will diminish quickly and eventually his minutes on the court period.
Jabari doesn't have to accept an extension from the Rockets and he could opt to become a restricted free agent. Nazr is an FA in a market where few teams have money to spend. How is next year looking in terms of teams with cap space? How is the FA class looking? I think we have to look at it from that angle. Not advocating for paying Jabari more nor am I saying he is as good as Nazr, just wanting to express the thought that the situation may not be an apples to apples comparison. Plus, don't forget, Cap is going up again next summer, so Jabari, if he has a very good season, could actually fetch this kind of money next season knowing that the percentage of his salary will be less because of the cap increase.
It’s genuinely been a while since he got injured, but I don’t recall him sucking as a starter this year. He wasn’t killing it but he was contributing and most importantly still spread the floor enough for Sengun and others to operate with a LITTLE more room in the paint. Jabari getting the chance to work w KD every single day for an entire season could intricately elevate his game even if it’s just to become an elite 3 and D player.
