Jabari Smith Jr. ‘happy to be a Houston Rocket’ and ready to make an impact
BROOKLYN — As Jabari Smith Jr., his stunning three-piece suit and towering 6-foot-10 frame sauntered through the bowels of Barclays Center minutes after learning the Houston Rockets had drafted him with the No. 3 pick, there was a certain look in his eye.
Stern was probably too extreme. Concentrated was more accurate.
Smith had a few draft duties to knock out of the way: a visit with the NBA’s social media team, radio hits and Panini trading cards among a host of others. In between all of his engagements, his mind was still focused on the ongoing draft. At one point, Smith briefly stopped to ask about center Walker Kessler, his teammate at Auburn, wondering if Houston had a chance to take him and trying to remember if he had worked out for the Rockets (Kessler would be drafted 22nd by Minnesota). Moments later, he asked to see my phone after hearing about a trade. (Ousmane Dieng was selected 11th by New York and subsequently traded to Oklahoma City.)
But those were only brief pauses. For the most part, Smith’s concentrated expression never waned. Outside of a few words of small talk and congratulating fellow draftees, he looked like was scanning his surroundings, downloading information in real time like a robot. The chip that had developed on Smith’s shoulder was growing.
For the past few weeks since the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, Smith had been presumed to be the top overall pick on Thursday. To those around the league, Smith was seen as the most now-ready prospect. A lockdown defender and knockdown shooter, he was a coach’s dream. There was some chatter about the clashing of styles: Paolo Banchero’s star status and aura juxtaposed with Smith’s calm yet confident demeanor. Smith even said that he didn’t see himself falling lower than second in the draft, a reason why he opted against a pre-draft visit to Houston.
But seemingly overnight, things changed. The Vegas odds began to mysteriously shift in Banchero’s favor, creating a confusing ripple effect among NBA minds. And it was hard not to see and feel the shock and surprise within the arena once NBA commissioner Adam Silver stood in front of the world and announced Banchero — and not Smith — as the first pick.
“I didn’t expect to drop this low, I would say,” Smith told The Athletic. “But when I heard my name called, all of that went away, and all my emotions let out. I’m happy to be in the NBA, happy to be a Houston Rocket. I’m just ready to come in with that chip on my shoulder, prove everybody wrong and put Houston on the map.”
Thursday night was another example of why the draft is such an inexact science. Some would be lying if they didn’t think Houston figured both Smith and Chet Holmgren would be off the table by the time the Rockets on the clock. Of the top three picks, the Rockets knew Banchero the best. They had met with him extensively, had conversations, even as far as idealized what a fit would look like.
At the beginning of the draft process, there were different lines of thinking within Houston’s brass. There were those who liked Smith just as those who had Banchero, Holmgren or Jaden Ivey as potential options for them. General manager Rafael Stone maintained optimism for weeks leading up to the draft, excited to land any one of the aforementioned names.
The argument could be made that at the end of the day, the Rockets landed the player they wanted the most but felt was out of their reach. And now, they’ll be adding the player most minds around the league deem as the best player in the draft — two spots lower than expected. The chip on Smith’s shoulder is only going to grow in size.
“I feel like I’m a mixture,” Smith said of his nature. “I like to have fun, I like to play with a smile. But at the same time, I’m all business. I’m always going to come in with that competitive edge. I don’t like to lose, that’s the type of person I am.”
The Rockets have made it known that they want to improve defensively. Last season was a complete mess, finishing bottom of the league in defensive rating, and the eye test certainly matched the advanced numbers. It wasn’t that Houston’s young players didn’t know how to defend; they were just ill-equipped to do so, with frail, young bodies and inexperience. Of the top three picks, Smith has long been regarded as the best defender by a considerable margin — and arguably is the best defender in this class outside of Tari Eason, whom the Rockets took at No. 17. Smith is looking forward to the prospects of helping on that side of the ball as soon as possible.
“I haven’t had any conversations, but I’m sure I will soon,” Smith said. “I love defense. It’s something that I’m real big on and we can be real big on. Just drafted Tari Eason; great defender, I played against him. I know how good of a defender he is. I see what Houston got in mind, and I see they’re making the right decisions.”
Houston’s quest to be viable defensively stems from their head coach Stephen Silas, but there’s also an important culture angle to it. In today’s NBA, the compilation tapes and Instagram reels are chock-full of windmill dunks, stepback jumpers, crossovers and 3s galore. Even on their roster, Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. are electric players offensively and can light up a scoreboard in a jiffy. But Smith prides himself on getting stop after stop defensively. He revels in switching defense, toggling between assignments and wreaking havoc on a team’s half-court execution attempts.
In a world that loves scoring, he had to find something that set himself apart from the pack.
“When you get to the NBA, everybody can score,” Smith said. “From one to 15, everybody is a scorer. I know that from playing against pros all my life. You gotta do something to separate yourself. Defense is something that everybody doesn’t lock in on, everybody doesn’t enjoy doing, and that’s just something I enjoy doing. Defense is something that I love, so that’s what I’m bringing.”
It’s easy to see where he fits on the roster. After trading Christian Wood to Dallas, one can assume that Alperen Şengün will be elevated to the starting center spot. With that move, there’s a pressing need for a legit 3-and-D forward. Enter Smith.
He may not be as creative of a scorer as some of his new teammates, but Smith already has a claim to being one of their best marksmen. Smith, a legit floor spacer, shot 42 percent from deep on 5.5 attempts per game at Auburn. He is an unselfish player who knows how to fill in the gaps, an essential tool for playing alongside Green and Porter, who like to attack spaces. There should be nightly transitional symphonies watching Houston get stops and seeing Smith sprint to the corner while Green or Porter pushes the ball up the floor.
“Kevin Porter Jr. is a terrific ballhandler out of the pick-and-roll and just really unselfish,” Smith said. “He’s always looking to make the right play, but at the same time, he’s that go-get-a-bucket type guy you need. Jalen Green is the same way, electric in transition. Both of them are competitors. That’s who I like to play with, people who don’t like to lose. I’m looking forward to that.”
Smith’s addition is equally important for the mixing and matching Silas can do in-game. Could we see him operate as a small-ball center at times? If Silas finds himself in games needing to go five out and optimize space, it’s an option he now has in his back pocket.
“Definitely,” Smith said of his ability to play center for stretches. “I feel like as I get stronger and see the game is changing, I can definitely play the five. I feel like I’ll be able to guard centers, and centers won’t be able to guard me. That’s my advantage.”
Smith, of course, has goals for himself, like making the All-Rookie team and winning Rookie of the Year, as well as being named All-Defense in the future. He also wants to help the Rockets return to the playoffs soon. Offensively, he said he wants to continue to work on his ability to create his own shot and handle the ball, not simply for scoring but for situational awareness.
More than anything, Smith wants to add to the culture Houston is trying to instill. It started last season with a commitment to development and effort. With a blue-collar guy like Smith on board, it should continue to manifest itself.
“I can just bring everything they’re looking for,” Smith said. “Defense, someone who’s been raised like a pro all my life. My dad played in the NBA and knew what it takes. When I was 11 years old, working out like a pro at such a young age. None of this will be new to me. Just get here and do what I’ve been doing.”
Jabari Smith Jr. ‘happy to be a Houston Rocket’ and ready to make an impact
BROOKLYN — As Jabari Smith Jr., his stunning three-piece suit and towering 6-foot-10 frame sauntered through the bowels of Barclays Center minutes after learning the Houston Rockets had drafted him with the No. 3 pick, there was a certain look in his eye.
Stern was probably too extreme. Concentrated was more accurate.
Smith had a few draft duties to knock out of the way: a visit with the NBA’s social media team, radio hits and Panini trading cards among a host of others. In between all of his engagements, his mind was still focused on the ongoing draft. At one point, Smith briefly stopped to ask about center Walker Kessler, his teammate at Auburn, wondering if Houston had a chance to take him and trying to remember if he had worked out for the Rockets (Kessler would be drafted 22nd by Minnesota). Moments later, he asked to see my phone after hearing about a trade. (Ousmane Dieng was selected 11th by New York and subsequently traded to Oklahoma City.)
But those were only brief pauses. For the most part, Smith’s concentrated expression never waned. Outside of a few words of small talk and congratulating fellow draftees, he looked like was scanning his surroundings, downloading information in real time like a robot. The chip that had developed on Smith’s shoulder was growing.
For the past few weeks since the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, Smith had been presumed to be the top overall pick on Thursday. To those around the league, Smith was seen as the most now-ready prospect. A lockdown defender and knockdown shooter, he was a coach’s dream. There was some chatter about the clashing of styles: Paolo Banchero’s star status and aura juxtaposed with Smith’s calm yet confident demeanor. Smith even said that he didn’t see himself falling lower than second in the draft, a reason why he opted against a pre-draft visit to Houston.
But seemingly overnight, things changed. The Vegas odds began to mysteriously shift in Banchero’s favor, creating a confusing ripple effect among NBA minds. And it was hard not to see and feel the shock and surprise within the arena once NBA commissioner Adam Silver stood in front of the world and announced Banchero — and not Smith — as the first pick.
“I didn’t expect to drop this low, I would say,” Smith told The Athletic. “But when I heard my name called, all of that went away, and all my emotions let out. I’m happy to be in the NBA, happy to be a Houston Rocket. I’m just ready to come in with that chip on my shoulder, prove everybody wrong and put Houston on the map.”
Thursday night was another example of why the draft is such an inexact science. Some would be lying if they didn’t think Houston figured both Smith and Chet Holmgren would be off the table by the time the Rockets on the clock. Of the top three picks, the Rockets knew Banchero the best. They had met with him extensively, had conversations, even as far as idealized what a fit would look like.
At the beginning of the draft process, there were different lines of thinking within Houston’s brass. There were those who liked Smith just as those who had Banchero, Holmgren or Jaden Ivey as potential options for them. General manager Rafael Stone maintained optimism for weeks leading up to the draft, excited to land any one of the aforementioned names.
The argument could be made that at the end of the day, the Rockets landed the player they wanted the most but felt was out of their reach. And now, they’ll be adding the player most minds around the league deem as the best player in the draft — two spots lower than expected. The chip on Smith’s shoulder is only going to grow in size.
“I feel like I’m a mixture,” Smith said of his nature. “I like to have fun, I like to play with a smile. But at the same time, I’m all business. I’m always going to come in with that competitive edge. I don’t like to lose, that’s the type of person I am.”
The Rockets have made it known that they want to improve defensively. Last season was a complete mess, finishing bottom of the league in defensive rating, and the eye test certainly matched the advanced numbers. It wasn’t that Houston’s young players didn’t know how to defend; they were just ill-equipped to do so, with frail, young bodies and inexperience. Of the top three picks, Smith has long been regarded as the best defender by a considerable margin — and arguably is the best defender in this class outside of Tari Eason, whom the Rockets took at No. 17. Smith is looking forward to the prospects of helping on that side of the ball as soon as possible.
“I haven’t had any conversations, but I’m sure I will soon,” Smith said. “I love defense. It’s something that I’m real big on and we can be real big on. Just drafted Tari Eason; great defender, I played against him. I know how good of a defender he is. I see what Houston got in mind, and I see they’re making the right decisions.”
Houston’s quest to be viable defensively stems from their head coach Stephen Silas, but there’s also an important culture angle to it. In today’s NBA, the compilation tapes and Instagram reels are chock-full of windmill dunks, stepback jumpers, crossovers and 3s galore. Even on their roster, Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. are electric players offensively and can light up a scoreboard in a jiffy. But Smith prides himself on getting stop after stop defensively. He revels in switching defense, toggling between assignments and wreaking havoc on a team’s half-court execution attempts.
In a world that loves scoring, he had to find something that set himself apart from the pack.
“When you get to the NBA, everybody can score,” Smith said. “From one to 15, everybody is a scorer. I know that from playing against pros all my life. You gotta do something to separate yourself. Defense is something that everybody doesn’t lock in on, everybody doesn’t enjoy doing, and that’s just something I enjoy doing. Defense is something that I love, so that’s what I’m bringing.”
It’s easy to see where he fits on the roster. After trading Christian Wood to Dallas, one can assume that Alperen Şengün will be elevated to the starting center spot. With that move, there’s a pressing need for a legit 3-and-D forward. Enter Smith.
He may not be as creative of a scorer as some of his new teammates, but Smith already has a claim to being one of their best marksmen. Smith, a legit floor spacer, shot 42 percent from deep on 5.5 attempts per game at Auburn. He is an unselfish player who knows how to fill in the gaps, an essential tool for playing alongside Green and Porter, who like to attack spaces. There should be nightly transitional symphonies watching Houston get stops and seeing Smith sprint to the corner while Green or Porter pushes the ball up the floor.
“Kevin Porter Jr. is a terrific ballhandler out of the pick-and-roll and just really unselfish,” Smith said. “He’s always looking to make the right play, but at the same time, he’s that go-get-a-bucket type guy you need. Jalen Green is the same way, electric in transition. Both of them are competitors. That’s who I like to play with, people who don’t like to lose. I’m looking forward to that.”
Smith’s addition is equally important for the mixing and matching Silas can do in-game. Could we see him operate as a small-ball center at times? If Silas finds himself in games needing to go five out and optimize space, it’s an option he now has in his back pocket.
“Definitely,” Smith said of his ability to play center for stretches. “I feel like as I get stronger and see the game is changing, I can definitely play the five. I feel like I’ll be able to guard centers, and centers won’t be able to guard me. That’s my advantage.”
Smith, of course, has goals for himself, like making the All-Rookie team and winning Rookie of the Year, as well as being named All-Defense in the future. He also wants to help the Rockets return to the playoffs soon. Offensively, he said he wants to continue to work on his ability to create his own shot and handle the ball, not simply for scoring but for situational awareness.
More than anything, Smith wants to add to the culture Houston is trying to instill. It started last season with a commitment to development and effort. With a blue-collar guy like Smith on board, it should continue to manifest itself.
“I can just bring everything they’re looking for,” Smith said. “Defense, someone who’s been raised like a pro all my life. My dad played in the NBA and knew what it takes. When I was 11 years old, working out like a pro at such a young age. None of this will be new to me. Just get here and do what I’ve been doing.”
