WATCH: Jabari Smith Jr commits “rookie on rookie crime” against Keegan Murray with a vicious slam dunk
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Jabari Smith Jr.
The Houston Rockets haven’t made much to cheer about this season, the team is in dire straits. They are towards the bottom of both offense and defensive categories (29th in Net Rating). The Rockets’ front office also has a headache about who they want their core to be going forward. Kevin Porter Jr. and Alperen Sengun both have a lot of potentials. However, they have made Jalen Green’s development their first priority since drafting him with the #2 pick in 2021.
All that taken into account, the fans sure must have loved it when their rookie Jabari Smith Jr. out of Auburn University threw down a vicious slam dunk. In the process of dunking the ball so hard, Smith Jr. baptized his fellow rookie Keegan Murray of the Sacramento Kings. The dunk was one violent act indeed, attached below is a clip of the vicious slam by Smith Jr.
The dunk was described as a “rookie on rookie” crime by former NBA player turned analyst Ryan Hollins. Jabari Smith Jr. has shown flashes of being an ideal 2-way wing player in the NBA, the most prominent display being his excellent performance on defense against 2-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. A long and rangy forward standing at 6 feet 11 inches with a 7-foot 1-inch wingspan, Jabari Smith Jr. already has the size to be an elite 2-way player. Whether he ever becomes a star will depend on how his ball skills progress in his career.
If Smith Jr. progresses like the Rockets hope he does, it will give them an invaluable asset on their team. Reliable 2-way players at the wing position come at a premium in the NBA.
Rockets lose 8th straight despite Jabari Smith Jr. dunk, Sengun triple-double
Alperen Sengun dropped a triple-double vs the Sacramento Kings with a 10-point, 10-assist, 10-rebound stat line. This was in a losing effort just like Jabari Smith Jr.’s vicious dunk. The Kings blew out the Houston Rockets 135-115 in a comfortable win. This was the 8th straight loss for Houston
The Rockets’ continuous loss for the last few seasons brings into question again, the debate on tanking. On one hand, the Rockets have managed to attain talented young players such as Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Kenyon Martin Jr. On the other hand, in the name of development and attaining talent, constant losing sets a pattern and culture of unaccountability and low standards. The Rockets are an exciting young team, however, they need to start winning games sooner rather than later.
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Rakibul John Rodgers
(1258 Articles Published)