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Sport

Ben DuBose

Rafael Stone wants Rockets focused on process over ‘shot luck’

Rafael Stone Rockets Jabari Smith Jr NBA Thunder

Top rookie Jabari Smith Jr. hasn’t shot well early in summer league, shooting 31.0% through two games in Las Vegas. But he’s clearly made an impact for the Houston Rockets with defense, rebounding, and floor spacing, and that played a key role in Saturday’s win over Oklahoma City.

As general manager Rafael Stone sees things, that’s perfectly fine. After all, Smith has a long track record of shooting success, and his efficiency numbers on jump shots should come around as the sample size grows.

But it’s also a useful case study in keeping focused on the bigger picture. In a mid-game interview with ESPN on Saturday, Stone explained:

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