Jabari Smith Jr. shows up in defense against his role model Giannis Antetokounmpo

“We could feel the energy that there was in the whole room from the start of the match. We were neck and neck with them. We didn’t let them get too far ahead of us. And Giannis’ last drive didn’t beat us. Jabari has improved enormously in defense.

Hero of the evening with his 30 points and his heroic end to the game to allow Houston to win, Jalen Green took pleasure in sharing the bill with Jabari Smith Jr, rather discreet in attack (6 points at 1/9 in shooting), but valuable in defense (10 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block) against his role model, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The rebound and throws of the win

This is the second time that the rookie inside faced the “Greek Freak” and it was precisely during a final duel between the two men that the meeting tipped in favor of the Texans.

While the score was 95-92 in favor of the locals, Giannis Antetokounmpo was well contained by the Jabari Smith Jr – Bruno Fernando tandem in his drive, leading him to take a complicated left-handed lay-up. On receiving his failed attempt, Jabari Smith Jr. had to tear himself away to take the rebound and cause his idol to foul, to finally register the two shots of the victory.

What to also attract the congratulations of John Lucas, promoted coach of an evening in the absence of Stephen Silas, following the death of his father.

“I always tease Jabari. I always ask him, ‘Did you go get Giannis’ shoes and autograph after the first game?’ Before the meeting, I said to him: ‘Let’s see how far you have progressed’. And he rose to the challenge. did he rejoicespecifying that it was the defense that made it possible to win this match.

The stature of the “Greek Freak” impresses

Third choice of the last Draft, the interior has targeted muscle mass gain as one of its main areas of progress in its adaptation to the NBA, and is therefore inspired by the evolution of the Greek.

“I saw the pictures when he was younger and after playing against him now the difference is huge”, noted Jabari Smith Jr who engages in regular sessions to gain muscle. “I go to the weight room every day with the intention of getting better, of getting stronger, of believing in what I’m doing, namely that I have to get bigger. I’m not trying to rush out and lift a thousand weights. I’m going slowly, I trust my staff and my work.

Like the Rockets, Jabari Smith Jr is progressing slowly but surely. In attack too, except yesterday, his stats have improved significantly for ten games. Everything is gradually falling into place and the series of six home games to come will perhaps confirm this. Even if the club is still last in the West (8 wins – 18 losses).