Jabari Smith Jr. ☆ Follow

Over rates and minutes projection: turn on Prediction tools.

Starts 3 of 3 games · 3rd on HOU in minutes · Core role

Bars: minutes in his last 3 games · numbers: points

Situational splits: turn on Prediction tools.

Every situation, with four seasons of history →

• Podcast Numbers on the Board host · Report · 38 h ago around the league

  Rockets beat the Spurs. Sengun scored 11 of their last 13 points, KD needed only 10 shots, and the hosts credit Fred VanVleet for spacing and ball movement. Jabari had 30 in the opener.

  “20 Things We Have Learned So Far | Numbers On The Board” at 1:31:57 · listen ↗

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks host · Report · 47 h ago around the league

  Jabari Smith Jr. looked more involved in the Rockets offense in the first game. The hosts buy the take that he will average 8 per 36 this season.

  “The 2026-27 NBA Overreactions Draft!” at 33:52 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 5 points · Oct 24
  • On the final possession, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson were on the floor for the Rockets. Thompson was the one who ended up switched onto Wembanyama. at 3:21
  • Brandon Scott: In the season opener against the Mavericks, Jabari Smith Jr. and Kevin Durant each scored 30. at 9:25
  • Jackson Gatlin: The initial plan put wings on Wembanyama: Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, or Amen Thompson. That worked because Alperen Sengun and, to a lesser degree, Steven Adams could guard Spurs wings and perimeter players. at 13:43
  • Brandon Scott: Guest's positional framing: Smith Jr. and Durant are the "three" and "stretch four" who can credibly guard Wembanyama, with Sengun at center. Amen Thompson is called the team's best defender and a "two guard" or positionless player who can take the opponent's best perimeter player. at 15:43
  • Jackson Gatlin: During Sengun's 8-point burst in the fourth, the Spurs moved Wembanyama off Sengun and onto Amen Thompson. With VanVleet, Smith Jr. and Durant spacing the floor, Thompson threatened a jumper from the top of the key to pull Wembanyama out of the paint, then lobbed to Sengun, who pump-faked and finished through contact for an and-one. The host called it possibly his favorite play of the game. at 32:10

  “Rockets Vs Spurs: Amen Thompson GAME-WINNING BLOCK On Victor Wembanyama & Alperen Sengun DOMINATES” · listen ↗

• Podcast KG Certified · 2 points · Oct 24
  • Fred VanVleet returned with 11 assists and no turnovers. Jabari Smith Jr and KD each scored 30, and Houston beat the Mavericks. at 1:14:00
  • Host analysis: a point guard puts Alperen Sengun and KD in their spots so they don't have to self-initiate. Jabari Smith Jr. benefited most from having a real point guard. at 1:14:36

  “Ant & LaMelo Look Dangerous, LeBron Takes On Embiid and KG Believes in Luka’s Lakers | KG CERTIFIED” · listen ↗

• Podcast The Mismatch · 3 points · Oct 23
  • Jabari Smith Jr. scored 30 on 11-of-17 shooting, with four threes, for the Rockets. at 35:59
  • Host analysis: the attention defenses pay to Alperen Sengun and Durant gives Jabari Smith Jr. an opening for a 'mini-leap'. at 36:21
  • Host view: Jabari Smith Jr. fits the archetype of an elite help-side defender next to a rim-protecting big. at 36:48

  “The Return of Loves and Loathes. Plus: A Historic Thursday Night.” · listen ↗

• Podcast First Take host · Report · Oct 22 around the league

  Rockets stat lines were cited (game and date not stated): KD with 30, Jabari Smith Jr with 30, Alperen Sengun with 20-plus, and Fred VanVleet with 11 assists.

  “Hour 2: Are we more impressed with the Lakers or Timberwolves?” at 5:41 · listen ↗

• Podcast The Zach Lowe Show host · Report · Oct 22 around the league

  Rockets: the guest says Fred VanVleet had 11 assists, KD had 30, and he thinks Jabari Smith also had 30. He adds that Tari Eason was ejected.

  “Opening Night Overreactions, Alarming Trends, Hot Takes, and More!” at 58:20 · listen ↗

• Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Analysis · Oct 22 around the league

  A host says VanVleet's pick-and-roll play generates threes and puts players in the right spots. Jabari Smith Jr. had a great game.

  “Wolves Make a Big Statement in Miami + Luka’s Showtime Era Begins” at 18:09 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA host · Report · Oct 22 around the league

  Rockets: Kevin Durant scored 30, Jabari Smith Jr. scored 30, and Alperen Sengun had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists.

  “GAME NIGHT: Ant/LaMelo SHINE in Debut, Luka talks trash, Ty Jerome goes OFF” at 30:31 · listen ↗

• RotoWire RotoWire · Report · Oct 21

  Jabari Smith: Blows up for 30 points in win — Smith supplied 30 points (11-17 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 4-5 FT), five rebounds, one assist and two steals over 36 minutes during Wednesday's 128-110 victory over the Mavericks.

  source ↗

• Story ESPN · Article · Oct 21

  Durant and Smith each score 30 points to power the Rockets past the Mavericks 128-110 in the opener

  source ↗

• Bluesky Varun Shankar (@byvarunshankar.bsky.social) · Report · Oct 21

  Steven Adams is out for tonight's game with right calf tightness/soreness. Rockets starting the game with: Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün.

  original post ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · Prediction · Oct 20

  Madison expects Jabari Smith Jr to keep improving his comfort and his shooting.

  “DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE: Houston Rockets Set To SURPASS Spurs & Thunder In NBA's Elite Rankings?” at 21:15 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 5 points · Oct 20
  • A host or guest said Ime Udoka shares some blame for the offense's lack of creativity when VanVleet is off the floor. As an example, the speaker said Amen Thompson stood in the corner the way Jabari Smith Jr. did last year. at 9:48
  • Bryson criticized Udoka for having Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. bring the ball up and initiate the offense last season. He singled out Eason and said Eason should not have any ball-handling responsibilities. at 14:31
  • Madison said Jabari Smith Jr. struggled in the last preseason game but showed poise in the first two games. at 20:49
  • Madison predicted that Jabari Smith Jr.'s ability to play the 3 through the 5 will keep his minutes steady in a 10-man rotation and that the minutes will be there for him. She said the minutes might not be there for Reed Sheppard. at 22:45
  • Madison said Jabari Smith Jr.'s ball handling looks more fluid. If he becomes a great release valve, she said he could average 18 to 20 points. at 22:30

  “Rockets Most IMPORTANT Player BESIDES Kevin Durant | Who Will SURPRISE And Who Has Most AT STAKE?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 3 points · Oct 19
  • Madison does not think Amen Thompson is an All-Star-level player yet, though he calls him incredibly versatile and important. He wants a step forward from Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith and Tari Eason. at 9:30
  • Bryson frames Jabari Smith's wide-open catch-and-shoot rate as a marker: whether he reaches 38-41% or is 'still at 34, 37%'. Those figures are as heard. He also asks whether Reed Sheppard pressures the organization to start him by hitting deep pull-ups off pick-and-rolls. at 21:12
  • B. Scott's Christmas marker: whether Jabari, Tari and Reed can become near-40% three-point shooters, especially on open looks. He expects them to get open shots because of the attention drawn by Durant and Sengun. at 23:25

  “Houston Rockets Path To SUCCESS This Season? | Alperen Sengun & Amen Thompson Must SHINE” · listen ↗

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks host · Analysis · Oct 19 around the league

  Dan's Rockets top nine: starters VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Sengun; bench Smart, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason and Steven Adams. Bogdanovic plays if healthy; Capela likely doesn't play when Sengun and Adams are both healthy.

  “1 Big Question For Every NBA Teams In The Western Conference” at 1:19:37 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 8 points · Oct 16
  • Off the ball, VanVleet is used as a screener all over the floor. He sets back screens and flare screens for Jabari, Tari or KD while Sengun is at the top of the key in horns sets. at 18:45
  • First-half substitution order: Tari Eason came in first, for Amen Thompson. Marcus Smart replaced Clint Capela and Reed Sheppard came in together for Sengun and VanVleet, leaving Durant with four bench players. Bogdanovich was the fifth and final sub. at 28:29
  • Jackson Gatlin: A defense-focused lineup was used: Marcus Smart, Amen Thompson, Tari and Jabari, with Jabari playing small-ball five for a stretch. at 24:53
  • Rafael Stone (reported): Relayed: at the end of the season, general manager Rafael Stone said they want 'those guys' to go from good to great shooters, with specific mention of Jabari. at 31:32
  • Jabari did not make any of his wide-open threes. When OKC adjusted to take away Thompson's cuts, Jabari was the one left open and he could not make them pay. at 30:17
  • Host opinion: this is the year Jabari Smith Jr. has to prove he can be a deadly knockdown shooter in his role. at 30:52
  • Early in the second quarter, Jabari missed a three and did not get back on defense. The next play was another transition score, and Ime Udoka called a timeout. at 37:43
  • Later in the quarter, Jabari hustled back and fouled Jared McCain on what looked like a sure layup, making him earn it at the line. at 38:14

  “Rockets Close Preseason STRONG Vs Thunder | Amen & Sengun CARRY Early, Bogdan Bogdanovic Goes CRAZY” · listen ↗

• Podcast Jackson Gatlin, Locked On Rockets · Opinion · Oct 15

  The host's opinion: Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. have fantastic, team-friendly contracts, which he credits to Rafael Stone and the front office.

  “LEGACY: Can Kevin Durant DEFY Doubters And LEAD The Rockets To NBA Finals This Season?” at 19:58 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 2 points · Oct 14
  • The host says Reed Sheppard looks like he's gunning and more confident, and that Jabari Smith Jr looks a bit more confident on the floor. at 9:16
  • Jabari Smith Jr. shot 36.3% from three last season, the best of his career. The host says he needs to make defenses pay when they leave him open. at 16:28

  “Rockets Fans PREDICTIONS | 60+ WINS? Western Conference Finals RUN? Kevin Durant DOMINANCE?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 7 points · Oct 12
  • Game 2 starters with the regular starters out: Reed Sheppard, Marcus Smart, Clint Capela, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. The host said Capela, Smart and Sheppard were moved up from the bench to fill out the lineup. at 13:26
  • Observed defensive scheme: lots of switching above the break while certain players are kept in the corners. In one example, Jabari guarded at the top of the key while Sheppard stayed in a corner, and the two swapped assignments on weaves. at 18:18
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting, 2-of-6 from three, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal. at 20:05
  • Smith Jr. looks comfortable getting to his spots, including dribble pull-up mid-range shots. The host thinks both he and Eason have shown improved feel for the game. at 20:23
  • Smith Jr. is 4-of-10 from three over the preseason (2-of-4 in game 1, 2-of-6 in game 2). at 21:14
  • Smith Jr. came into camp a little bigger. The host thinks the added size is helping him around the rim and on the offensive glass. at 21:26
  • Right before halftime, the Rockets had one possession with four shot attempts and three offensive rebounds. It ended with Smith Jr.'s tip-in on the fourth try. at 22:18

  “Marcus Smart's IMPRESSIVE Rockets Debut Vs Mavs | Reed Sheppard's CONFIDENCE On Display” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 2 points · Oct 9
  • Game 1 substitution order: Tari (Eason) was the first sub off the bench, for Amen Thompson; then Steve-O (Adams) for Alpi (Sengun); then Ime brought in Reed and Amen for Fred VanVleet and Jabari. at 4:57
  • One possession had 10+ passes and ended in a Jabari three after he pump-faked, drove, kicked out and relocated. at 7:10

  “Rockets Vs Mavs LIVE Postgame Mailbag: Kevin Durant USAGE Concerns, Amen Thompson's ROLE & More” · listen ↗

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