The recent groin injury suffered by Alperen Sengun allowed rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr. to slide into the role of starting center for the Rockets and fellow rookie Tari Eason to join Houston’s starting lineup in the vacated power forward spot.
The result? It wasn’t perfect. After all, at 6 feet, 11 inches and 213 pounds, Smith is far lighter than most starting centers in the NBA. At times, he was pushed around. But Smith is also more athletic and a better shooter than many players at that position. That offensive and defensive versatility was on full display during Houston’s upset victory over the Boston Celtics — one of the NBA’s best teams.
