HOUSTON — Once media members were allowed into the Toyota Center practice facility on Tuesday, we walked into the gym area and found a very intense scrimmage taking place. It was between the Rockets’ 2022 summer league roster, which had been split into two teams.
The team led by second-year guard Josh Christopher and rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr., who was picked at No. 3 overall in the 2022 NBA draft, was down by three points with 1:03 left on the clock.
Daishen Nix stood on the baseline looking for a teammate to throw the ball to, but they were all covered except for Smith, who made himself available by using his tall frame and athletic ability to separate himself from his opponent. Nix threw the ball over the defender into the waiting hands of Smith beyond the 3-point arc, who immediately jab-stepped to the right and exploded left towards the basket.
As he blew by the defender and headed towards the lane, he had one more obstacle to clear when fellow rookie TyTy Washington slid over to slow down Smith’s momentum while preparing to take a charge.
The average 6-foot-10 player probably would have run right over 6-foot-3 Washington, but Smith is not an ordinary power forward. As he took one step into the lane, Smith recognized what Washington was about to do and used his exquisite body control to glide right past his summer league teammate to score the basket while also drawing the foul.
He completed the 3-point play by hitting a free throw to tie the game.
@jabarismithjr with the strong drive to the basket. #Rockets #LightTheFuse #Sarge #NBA pic.twitter.com/UyjpWhR1vS
— Houston Sports Insider (@BigSargeSportz) July 5, 2022
If that play indicates what the Rockets can expect this season and beyond from Smith, then the future is very bright for them.
The former Auburn player will put his skills on display for all NBA fans to see in the first two summer league games. His first two opponents are the No. 1 overall draft pick in Orlando’s Paolo Banchero (on Thursday), followed by No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren of Oklahoma City on Saturday.
“I’m looking forward to playing everybody,” Smith said. “It doesn’t matter what team. I’m just excited to play with my new team and new organization and just get back out there competing. I mean, that’s what it’s all about. I want to feel like I played hard all week.”
Smith continued:
No matter how long I am there, no matter if I am making shots or missing shots. I want to know that I was out there competing, out there listening, and out there learning. At the end of the day, all of this is new to me, so I am not going to put too much pressure on myself going out here (Las Vegas). But I am going with a chip on my shoulder, and trying to win.
Here are some thoughts from @jabarismithjr and Rockets Assistant Coach Rick Higgins, who will coach the team during the @NBASummerLeague! pic.twitter.com/J48Iib3BNL
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) July 5, 2022
One person tasked with helping Smith and his fellow rookies get better during their time in Las Vegas is Rockets assistant coach Rick Higgins, who is coaching his first summer league team (schedule).
“We have a really, really good group,” Higgins said. “I can’t wait to see most of our new guys mixed with the guys we already have because they have great energy level and excitement about playing basketball.”
After only three summer league practices, Higgins stressed that Smith is not ready to compete in an NBA game just yet, as he is still learning the intricacies and nuisances of being in the league.
“I’m going say this isn’t quite him in the NBA,” said Higgins. “I mean, he’s got some other NBA players in the gym with him, but this is a summer league. And we know that and we’re here to get better and grow. I would hold on saying that is his getting his feet wet in the NBA, yet.”
