Eh that isn't fair to Jalen and Sengun. Those two are asked to do a lot more. Both are asked to be self creators. That takes energy. That takes a lot more learning NBA defensive schemes. There is a lot more on their plate to think about in a game because of their responsibilities relative to Jabari who is asked to be just a catch and shoot guy at this point. And let's be honest. Jabari has been aloof on defensive possessions also. Not really putting him down for that though as I expect a 19 year old rookie to look lost often. That's normal.
I'm sorry but Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith junior are not even on the same plane of existence even in college - Durant was a beast - consensus all american, conference player of the year, etc, ,you didn't have to follow the draft to know this; but even just looking at that clip, to my moron eye test, it looks like Durant gets the ball out faster.
Kevin is probably a Top 20-30 all time player so the comp is tough for sure. I think Jabari has a better shooting stroke and mechanic. Durant is just more wily and slithery so even with that he's always had the intangibles to do some of the sneaky stuff he can (rip through move). Jabari has his own strengths and he's a much better defender along with have a much better body type to deal with opposing bigs. He's a modern NBA player through and through. He'll be alright. Won't be Durant level but he can be Top 20 player in the league. Which is all we need him to be. I think the doom and gloom surrounding him is overblown and the team has much bigger issues than Jabari Smith being a star. We don't even have a functioning point guard, center or small forward.
Jabari is not even a 3-and-D player right now. He shoots 30% and is getting torched on D with regularity. Some of you really need to temper your expectations ... or at least stop trying to convince people who aren't high on him that Jabari is going to be comparable to the all-time greats every time we discuss his sub-par play. As a FAN, I think the team needs to make an effort to get him more shots to let him get in-game reps under different situations so we can see if there are signs he can be an elite shooter at this level. But when you have a bunch of young guys trying to make a name for themselves + not having a good vet presence + not having the right game plan ... It's hard to see how that's going to happen and what the solution is. This season man. Edit. Once again for emphasis - Orlando can **** right off
Not to comment on anything else in this thread; I just have to note that every word of this sentence is wrong.
I'm as critical of Silas as anybody, but Jalen and Jabari both being statistically two of the least effective players in the league is a terrible sign for rebuild. It's not just coaching, though that is a big part.
Come on guys…Jabari is never going to be Durant. No scout ever thought that - do we really have to argue about why it’s just not a realistic scenario that a player who wasn’t a pure scorer in college is magically going to turn into one in the pros? It’s kind an embarrassing argument. Jabari’s college skill is that he is a decent shooter AND he is tall and he cares about defense. Durant was also those things but he was also a lot more things. Let’s not go looking through physical similarities at age 19 to draw conclusions that arent there. You want to draw some conclusions about Jabari’s physical future? Look no further than his father who has the same frame and played a few seasons quietly in the NBA. Jabari no doubt has a better NBA future ahead of him than his father, but Sr was tall, lean, wide, and broad shouldered. I imagine Jabari will put on similar bulk into his 20s and be more than equipped to be a 4/5 with range and lateral skills to guard perimeter players. That’s a good player- it’s not the greatest scorer of all time, it’s not the best player of his draft, but it’s a good useful player and ultimately that was the goal of the last two drafts - to bring in players useful at worst and who are “the franchise” at best. The sooner we can stop trying to make him into something he isn’t(props to the poster above referencing the year Houston tried to make Ariza our offensive creator - haha), the sooner we can make him realize his potential as a very good starter while we seek higher ceilings via the draft, trade, or FA.
Not sure anyone before the draft was speaking Jabari's name in the same stratosphere as Magic or Jordan. Jabari was never going to be a superstar. He NEEDS a good coach to bring out his strengths. He has the tools but unfortunately Silas belongs in a middle school gym.
Lol, based on what? You don't know this at all, you're just making excuses. A good coach would get Jabari open 3s and shots at the rim, and thus far Jabari is a disappointment at both of these things. it's crazy to blame coaches for a guy who sucks at the rim more than Usman Garuba, who has the offensive touch of a stack of crumbling cinder blocks. It doesn't mean Smith might not turn it around - man i hope it does, but you're... just making stuff up.
This x10. Obviously the system is not 100% ideal for Jabari but why should it be right now? Also what's Silas/a different coach going to do? Hit open shots for Jabari?
Silas is the worst coach in Rockets history and Jabari has been underperforming. Both things can be true.
