I am encouraged he dominated like he should and he was starting to figure things out at the end of last season.
It goes back to his high school days, too. This is a game I found on YouTube against Scoot Henderson, of all players. Watch at around the 11:30 mark when Smith makes the tying 3 as the clock expires to take the game to overtime. He also calmly makes a bunch of free throws to ice the game in OT.
I'm cross-posting this here from the game thread because it's hilarious (maybe not for the victim - hopefully he's ok). ------------------------------------------------------------- Not sure if this was posted, and I didn't find it but saw it in a tweet that I can't find anymore, so I don't take credit for this. If anybody sees the original tweet, let me know and I'll give the dude credit, but : *EDIT* : The user on Twitter who posted about this (not sure if he was the first to see it) was @StanRockets Jabari killed somebody in the stands with the last shot. Keep an eye on the circled dude while watching video.
Everytime I see him bring it up the court and go straight into a 3 it makes me feel all warm and tingly.
There's one thing about Jabari Smith Jr. that will always be true and that is: he is very clutch. Been that way since college. He's one of those dudes that will brick everything then hit the game winning buzzer.
Just another couple of things having watched Jabari from his SR. year in high school through now...especially his one year at Auburn. Confidence is everything with him...probably to do with his youth. In a lot of ways , he is a rhythm shooter. The PNR Auburn employed with Kessler was really tough on defenses. Bari when he had it going, which was most of the time, exuded confidence. He would come down the floor, cross mid court and with a beautiful touch/form fire up a 3 at the top of the key or go to the perimeter and hit a 3. Shot was smooth as silk. With Kessler, the PNR was a BIG threat and greatly helped open Bari's offensive game. You see this occasionally with the Rockets.He did it tonight. He dribbles and in rhythm put his shot up. You laugh but when you see him on the arc with his hands in the air wanting the ball..that's the open in rhythm shot he needs to be taking. Unfortunately, the ball mostly doesn't go to him when that opportunity is there. We rarely draw the D in and kick the ball out and PNR does not exist. I have noticed he is not as comfortable with his shot. It's been mentioned that he's not ready at times when he finally does get the ball. His defender cheats to the middle and he doesn't get the ball for open shots. Not making excuses for him, but that's what i see. JMO but he has all the ability in the world to be an elite player. He badly could use some extra weight. I am hoping that FVV will distribute the ball better than we have done in the past and that our post play increases . I am excited about Amen and Cam even with a little less tunnel vision. Tonight was dang fun...we won ! We need to give a little space and patience...not just to Jabari but the team as a whole. It's going to be a fun year.
Just another couple of things having watched Jabari from his SR. year in high school through now...especially his one year at Auburn. Confidence is everything with him...probably to do with his youth. In a lot of ways , he is a rhythm shooter. The PNR Auburn employed with Kessler was really tough on defenses. Bari when he had it going, which was most of the time, exuded confidence. He would come down the floor, cross mid court and with a beautiful touch/form fire up a 3 at the top of the key or go to the perimeter and hit a 3. Shot was smooth as silk. With Kessler, the PNR was a BIG threat and greatly helped open Bari's offensive game. You see this occasionally with the Rockets.He did it tonight. He dribbles and in rhythm put his shot up. You laugh but when you see him on the arc with his hands in the air wanting the ball..that's the open in rhythm shot he needs to be taking. Unfortunately, the ball mostly doesn't go to him when that opportunity is there. We rarely draw the D in and kick the ball out and PNR does not exist. I have noticed he is not as comfortable with his shot. It's been mentioned that he's not ready at times when he finally does get the ball. His defender cheats to the middle and he doesn't get the ball for open shots. Not making excuses for him, but that's what i see. JMO but he has all the ability in the world to be an elite player. He badly could use some extra weight. I am hoping that FVV will distribute the ball better than we have done in the past and that our post play increases . I am excited about Amen and Cam even with a little less tunnel vision. Tonight was dang fun...we won ! We need to give a little space and patience...not just to Jabari but the team as a whole. It's going to be a fun year.
He ready to make the leap into a 3rd wheel player for the team.. That would be a reasonable progression IMO..
