22-year-old Smith, the Rockets’ next Durant?

At the end of the preseason, who is the Rockets’ most surprising player?

Objectively speaking, there are really too many choices...

- Durant only played 2 games, averaging 17.5 points per game, and his shooting percentage reached 57%;

- Shen Jing played the first 3 games, averaging 13.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 52%/50%/100%;

- - Amen also only played in the first 3 games, averaging 17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, shooting 56.3% from the field, and 4 of 7 three-pointers;

- Shepard exploded in the last game, and the main force was absent. He scored 29 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks. In terms of single-game performance, this should be the Rockets' personal best game in the preseason.

There is another player in this Rockets that is very noteworthy-Jabari Smith Jr.

We said that there were many amazing players in the Rockets in this year's preseason, but after a few games, the player with the highest scoring average per game was not Durant, Shen Jing, or Amen, but Smith Jr.

Like several core members of the team, Smith Jr. only played in the first three games. He averaged 17.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game, slightly surpassing Durant in scoring.

Not only that, Smith Jr.'s scoring efficiency is also very good, with three shooting percentages of 48.6%/47.4%/90.9% respectively, and a true shooting percentage of 66.5%.

In the three games, Smith's performance is getting better and better.

In the first game against the Hawks, he played 23 minutes. He made 3 of 8 shots and 2 of 4 three-pointers. He only scored 9 points and 6 rebounds.

In the second game against the Jazz, he played 24 minutes. He made 7 of 11 shots and 3 of 5 three-pointers. He was efficient. Handed over 18 points and 3 rebounds;

In the third game against the Pelicans, he played less than 23 minutes. He made 7 of 16 shots, 4 of 10 three-pointers, and 8 of 8 free throws. He scored 26 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and 1 steal, filling the data column.

Smith Jr. is the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 class. He is 2.08 meters tall and has a wingspan of 2.16 meters. He is very talented and has top shooting potential. He has a soft touch, long range, and good off-ball ability. He is good at finding opportunities through running.

However, Smith's offensive methods are still relatively simple, relying more on shooting, and lacking offensive skills with the ball. He is not good enough in face-to-face breakthroughs or low-post singles, and because of his high center of gravity when dribbling, it is difficult to create offensive opportunities by himself.

The important thing is that Smith Jr. has not really demonstrated his advantages in the past few years. His three-point shooting percentage so far in his career is only 34%. Last season, he only made 35.4% + 1.7 three-pointers. His production efficiency is not very impressive.

On the defensive end, Smith Jr. has a good defensive foundation, good defensive talent, and sufficient enthusiasm. He can use his height and movement speed to complete matchups or defensive changes.

However, his defensive influence is not very good. He is not yet a player who can change the game. At the same time, because of his thin body, he is easy to suffer when fighting powerful insiders, and his ability to protect the frame is not very good.

Smith's positioning is actually very clear. He is a 3D forward who is expected to become an elite championship piece. If he can improve with the ball, he may become the Rockets' next All-Star.

However, after three seasons in the NBA, Smith's growth rate has not met expectations. Last season, he averaged only 12.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game, with a three-point shooting percentage of 43.8%/35.4%/90.9% and a true shooting percentage of 56.2%.

It is precisely for this reason that fans will be "surprised" when they see Smith Jr.'s preseason performance and have more expectations for the Rockets - the sample is a bit small, and it is still a preseason game, but if Smith Jr. can maintain this level in the regular season, then the Rockets will be really amazing.

It is worth mentioning that Smith Jr. is also a young player who is very willing to learn. After Durant joined the Rockets, Jabari Jr. almost completely tied himself to Durant.

It is reported that he asked the staff to arrange for his training content and time to be the same as Durant's. During the Rockets' warm-up period, little Jabari could often be seen imitating Durant's moves like a "follower".

For Durant, Smith Jr. said this: "He is a perfect role model. Every action is extremely accurate. Every shot is as serious as a formal game. He is a perfectionist, and you will be infected by his spirit."

Durant said of Smith Jr.: "What impresses me the most is still He has a professional quality that transcends talent, has such height conditions, and such precise shooting and skills. His playing style is a bit old-school, but what stands out most is the professional attitude he displays every day in training."

Interestingly, both Durant and Smith Jr. completed early contract extensions during the offseason.

Jabari Smith Jr. signed a five-year, RMB 122 million early contract extension, while Durant signed a two-year, RMB 90 million early contract extension before the start of the regular season. This means that as long as no trade occurs, Smith Jr. will have the opportunity to grow next to a historical scorer like Durant in the next three years.

Smith is only 22 years old. Objectively speaking, his performance in the past three years has not been particularly dazzling. Benqueiro, the No. 1 pick in the same year, has been selected as an All-Star. Holmgren, the No. 2 pick, won the championship after playing one year less. Both of them also signed maximum salary extensions in advance.

In the new season, I hope that Durant's arrival will bring some changes to Smith, not only in the compatibility of the two, but also in the learning and inheritance on and off the court. Maybe what the Rockets now have are "two Durants."

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