In offseason work, Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. prioritizes physical play, on-ball skills
'I'm more physical, more decisive, (and) stronger with the basketball,' Smith told host Tommy Alter and New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III.
Regarding his offseason work and points of emphasis, Smith continued:
Obviously, ball handling is gonna be better, (and) more consistent. I'm in the weight room, I'm lifting weights, I'm getting bigger. There's no reason I shouldn't be trying to run through people (and) trying to attack. It's just something I want to get better at.
After missing time in January and February with a broken hand, Smith played off the bench for the remainder of Houston's 2024-25 season due to the emergence of rising star Amen Thompson.
But the offseason trade that brought All-Star forward Kevin Durant to the Rockets sent out a pair of starters (Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks) to the Phoenix Suns, which opened up an additional starting lineup slot that Smith is expected to fill.
So, for the 22-year-old drafted at No. 3 in the 2022 first round, there are likely to be new opportunities in 2025-26 — and Smith's offseason work is all about ensuring that he's better prepared to take advantage.
The complete conversation can be viewed and listened to below.
A 6-foot-10 forward, Smith averaged 12.2 points (43.8% FG, 35.4% on 3-pointers) and 7.0 rebounds in 30.1 minutes per game last season. He remains one of Houston's most valuable and versatile defensive players, as well.
Smith, Durant, Thompson, Fred VanVleet, and Alperen Sengun are the projected starters for the 2025-26 Rockets, who enter among the NBA's championship favorites after a 52-30 campaign in which Houston finished with the No. 2 record in the Western Conference. Besides adding Durant, one clear reason for optimism is continued growth and development from young players, with Smith near the top of that list.
More: After Kevin Durant trade, Jabari Smith Jr. likely to rejoin Houston's starting lineup
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. prioritizing physical play, on-ball skills
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