Jabari Smith Jr. on Kevin Durant Joining the Houston Rockets and Fixing NBA All-Star Weekend

Jabari Smith Jr. on Kevin Durant Joining the Houston Rockets and Fixing NBA All-Star Weekend

Like I wasn’t athletic growing up. Like when I was I didn’t dunk till I was in ninth grade. I was 6’5. But I was I’m I’m I’m 6’4. I’m 6’4, 6’3 in eighth grade. Like you were athletic. I ain’t talking about senior year. You talking about ninth grade? I mean, how does not I was 6’5 though. Like I’m tall. You know what I’m saying? Like people in my grade is dunking. Like it’s easy. You know what I’m saying? Bro, you was 14. You didn’t dunk till senior year? Yes. Did you say that when you did all the dunk contest [ __ ] Did you say that in the I didn’t tell them that. But like if they asked me that, yeah, I didn’t dunk since I was a senior high school. Man, I don’t believe that. First of all, what you want? I’m not going to lie about I can look it up. [Music] So, here today, young man in the three. It’s been a while since we’ve been in these chairs. Had the microphone. Feels nice. Um, Tommy, how you feeling today? I’m great. Who we Who we sitting with, man? We’re sitting with Auburn, one and done. Number three pick to the Houston Rockets out of We’re going to say Georgia. I’m not going to say Atlanta, Georgia because uh, you know, I’ll go for that. Yeah, we’re going to say Georgia. Jabari Smith, how you doing today, man? Good, bro. Chilling. Thanks for having me on, man. Fresh off fresh off a little bag. Hold up. Not the step. I’m not a, you know, I would say I’m a professional pocket watcher. So, you know, five for 122. That’s pretty, that’s pretty nice right there. I can’t lie to you. So, let’s get to what everybody wants to know. What you What is going to be your first purchase? My first purchase? I don’t know. I’m actually about to buy a watch. Okay. I How you say it? Paddock. PC. How you say? I mean, you learn to say you’re buy you say how you want to say. Yeah. I’m about to buy one of those. That’s probably going to be my first purchase. I ain’t really got into the the the car thing and stuff yet. So, I’m going to buy that and I’m going to move into a new house. So, that’s probably my first two for sure. Those are good, reasonable purchases right there. Yeah, exactly. Smart purchases, right? Absolutely. Whole value. Exactly. Whole value. Exactly. I feel like this has been um a very exciting If you’re a Houston Rockets fan, the last three weeks have been very fun for you. Yeah. Yeah, it it has. It’s been sad a little bit. You know what I’m saying? Losing my losing my bros uh uh JG and DB. I’m going to miss them. But, um I mean, it’s been it’s been a crazy crazy some crazy weeks. Like I remember when my phone was blowing up when the trade happened and you know the extensions and all of that. So it’s just it’s it’s been a lot. You know what I’m saying? You could tell where the organization wants to go and it’s kind of kind of exciting honestly. I wanted to ask I mean both you guys but Jay you first about about Kevin in particular. You know you’ve worked out with him. You’ve um you know just sort of worked out in the summers and things like that. He’s a guy that a lot of younger players look at, you know, as somebody that they just want to take elements of his game and sort of emulate. What is your sort of uh basketball like when you were growing up? What was your relationship like to him just as a player? Uh I mean he honestly he was my favorite player. Um honestly uh until he went to go to state obviously that was that kind of threw everybody off. You know what I’m saying? But you know that was that that was my favorite player growing up. Like I wanted to be him. I wanted to emulate him. Do what he do on the court. you know what I’m saying? And um that’s just kind of what it was. I think everybody who was tall and could shoot kind of wanted to be KD, you know what I mean? So like that’s just kind of what it was growing up. Like I I used to look up to him a lot and then get into the NBA and like being able to work out with him, it was all like all crazy, honestly. What do you think makes him so special? The biggest thing is like when you watch him work out, he looks like how he plays. Yeah. Like every move that he does in a workout is the same ex he does in the game. And also he’s 7 feet tall. He shoots above his head. So you’re not there’s no contest for him. So like when he did the whole like too small thing to Evan Forier is like he really good at every single person in the league. So it’s just depend on like if he misses or not. So I think he’s just one of the guys that people look up to because of how skilled he is and just respect the the ethic work ethic that you have to put in for that. For sure. I mean I just piggy back off of that. I mean it’s like working out with him. It’s like it looks not a lot of misses. It’s not a lot of wasted movements. Everything is game speed. like the attention to detail he has is kind of kind of crazy. It kind of makes you work out with him and kind of like do the same. Like you you you’re going to be more dialed in and you’re going to be more focused on it. And when he plays it’s like it looks like that. Like it’s nothing really you can honestly do. You can try to force him one way and try to slow him down, but it’s like he’s going to get to whatever shots you want to get to honestly. So it’s just kind of pray really try to make it hard on them. That’s what it feels like. It feels like there’s a few people, you know, we’ve talked about this before, but there’s a few guys in the league who there’s there to your point, there’s nothing you can do and it just feels easy. Like you’re in the NBA, everyone is the best in the world at what they do, but it just feels like it feels like he’s moving in slow motion. Yeah, it looks easy like trying to emulate it. Like people watch it and be like, I want to be KD. I want to I want to do that. You know what I’m saying? It’s just like it’s not it’s it’s not that easy. Like it’s just how fluid he is and how how precise he is with his movements. It’s like you can’t it’s hard to replicate honestly. Speaking about like the Rockets and like the culture change, you were kind of a part of the you know like the short rebuild of the Rockets and uh what do you think it was that changed in you know you guys were 11th in the West I want to say was that 2023 2023 season and then last year you were second like what was the biggest difference? Um I think it was just the belief like I think that’s the biggest thing going into a season like you got to know like you got to know that you belong. You got to know what it takes to win games. You got to know that it’s going to be a grind. Like after my first year and the coaching change, we really didn’t we didn’t know how to win. We won 22 games. Like we didn’t know how to win. And then going into the next season and looking at our record like wow, we won 41 games. Like and we really wasn’t playing, you know, how we could play. So like going into next year, we’re like, damn, like we could really do something. We can win games. And that’s kind of how we went into it. So it was kind of just like a belief type of thing. Like the roster didn’t change much after after the my second to third year. It was just like we kind of growed together and just just learned each other a little bit and kind of kind of believed a little bit more and just started playing act like we belong. Yeah. So, speaking of coaching change, like know hearing the news about Eay coming in, like what are your what were your initial thoughts? Um, I was excited just obviously off of him uh uh being in the finals um recently and um it was just kind of like a like a second chance for him honestly and it was kind of a you see how he coaches, you see where he’s been. and he’s play a for former player uh coach under Greg Papovic. Like it’s just it’s just like a kind of coach you like like a coach like a player’s dream honestly like somebody who’s been in the NBA somebody you can relate to somebody you could talk to about what you’re going through you know what I mean so it’s just this a match made in heaven for everybody in our team cuz everybody crazy and yeah it match Did you feel the toughness right away with him? Yeah for sure. Oh, I mean that’s just that’s just his personality. Like even he competing in everything he do. Like the coaches be playing um after practice sometimes and like if you sit there and watch him like you’ll see it. Like all the coaches are competitive. They they they practice what they preach and it’s just it’s just a it’s just a sight to see how how competitive you have to be like in this league. You know what I’m saying? So it’s it’s it’s something I’m growing into and something that I’m taking from them for sure. I’m curious your I mean you have a you know yourself not to speak about yourself but know you have a lot of teammates who are like this as well. When you talk about instilling toughness if you’ve got a teammate it’s like this is just like a tough [ __ ] Yeah. What about their approach? If you were to if you were going to give advice to somebody, do you feel like it is that they that they all share no matter sort of who they are? Um I mean I feel like it’s like it’s not going to waver. Like it’s never going to be a game where Dylan Brooks isn’t playing hard. There’s never going to be a game where Dylan Brooks isn’t taking his match up personal or or just just just dialed in. Like it’s just the 82 game season is so long. It’s like it’s rare that you see see people competing and playing hard every single night. You know what I’m saying? And it’s just those players take take heed to that. You know what I mean? And that’s what we kind of pride oursel in. So, I mean, it’s it’s it’s hard to do, but the main thing is just when you watch anytime you turn your TV, he’s going to be playing hard. You know what I’m saying? It’s not going to be no time where he’s just coasting. You know what I’m saying? That’s just who he is, who those people are. And some of that, I mean, you mentioned Dylan and and I wanted to sort of get your perspective on some of the other things you’ve learned from him, but then also Fred, of course. And Fred is like, and Fred, we’ve done a bunch of episodes with Fred. Like, he talks about his chip. He talks about his background, where he’s from. Yeah. And you can see that in him. Like, he’s just that is a dude that is like, I’m not losing. I mean, that’s just that’s just who he is. He’s so he’s so competitive and and like if you if you hear his story and hear where he came from and hear the the undrafted and then you winning a championship, you playing big minutes, it’s like you kind of got to respect it and just just hear him out and kind of kind of take heed to what he got going on cuz cuz that’s not easy. You know what I’m saying? Um so I mean the chip on the chip on his shoulder he plays with just kind of comes from him being kind of short, kind of overlooked. You know what I’m saying? It’s just it’s it’s never went anywhere. Like I’m not going to lie. Like I mean he’s small, you know what I’m saying? But playing against him, obviously he’s played against him. If you he don’t he not small. Like posting him up is not going to be easy. Like he not he not going for none. So it’s just like you take pride to that and you kind of feed off of that when you’re playing with people who who are like that. Yeah. I remember we did we did an app J and I did an app with him before he signed his new deal when he was still in Toronto and his bet on yourself was the whole thing with him and it was like and some of it was also just from Rockford where he was like he was just was a guy that was not recruited every step of the way he was like you’re not going to be a good college player you’re not going to be a good pro even when you get the first contract you’re not going to last you’re not going to play in the playoffs and the finals and just building that up I’m actually curious from your perspective as somebody who’s like been great for so long, you know, you’ve been someone who’s been a since whatever age, and I’m curious actually what age this started for you, but you’ve been somebody that everyone has known how gifted you’ve been. How do you create how do you put that chip on your shoulder still? Um, I mean, when when you kind of get you kind of get in those situations where you’re kind of humbled and you kind of kind of see that it’s still work to be done and you see how good other people are, your peers. Honestly, getting to the NBA is the only reality check you need. Honestly, like getting here and seeing how how great and how far away you are from being like on the great level, like it’s just it kind of puts a chip on your shoulder. You want to be there, you want to get there. So, you kind of just have to have that, you know what I mean? So, playing in college is is is kind of like that, too. Obviously, it’s good players in college, but it’s the it’s catered to you. Like, I’m getting the ball every time. I’m getting the ball whenever I want. You know what I’m saying? I’m doing whatever I want. But when you get to the league, it’s kind of different. So, it’s just you kind of want to get to that point. So, the chip on your shoulder obviously is going to come back when you get to a point where you’re playing against people who may be better than you or or or far or farther along than you. You know what I’m saying? Speaking of getting to the league, um we’re here in Vegas at summer league. So, how was your first summer league experience? Like, what were your expectations going into it? I mean, especially being top three pick, like you probably expecting a lot of summer league. What would you say like your expectations was, how it went, and then like your overall Yeah. like mindset about it? Um, my expectations were like it’s kind of everything I expected. Like the our first game was Rockets versus Orlando. So, it was third pick versus the first pick. You know what I’m saying? It was the the highlighted game of the day. They usually always do that. The highlighted game of the day. Like it was packed. You know what I mean? Um, and it’s like, it’s funny cuz I’m watching the summer league games and I’m watching um the draft picks now playing. I’m just thinking like, dang, they nervous as [ __ ] You know what I’m saying? like the the butterflies is there like automatically just off of the fact that this is your first first odd. This first time putting on an NBA jersey, first time just even in the environment. Whole time they don’t know it really don’t mean anything. But it’s just like just the thought of it. It’s like it’s me going into it. I was nervous. Honestly, I was anxious for it cuz obviously pre-draft they tell you not to play against anybody. Don’t get hurt. So I wasn’t playing against anybody. But right when I got drafted, we started practicing playing and then it was game time. You playing with refs. I ain’t played with refs and whistles since [ __ ] college. I lost in the tournament. So, it was like it was exciting, bro. But I was I was I was nervous. I ain’t going to lie. I was nervous. Was the buzzer beater Gabe won? No, no, no. That was my second year playing. I played I played my first year and then I played my second year. My first year was um a little little shaky. I wasn’t great or nothing like that. I wasn’t doing nothing special. I had some good games, but um second year was like I wanted to show that I’m I’m done with summer league. What did you feel like the biggest uh college to pro transition was physically? I feel like the I feel like it’s more so the attention to detail and like how how physic how physical like grown men are like how like the change like you think college players are strong and like obviously they’re older than you but it’s different when you playing against somebody 31 playing against somebody 29 28 like it’s just it’s a it’s a shift and like the attention to detail in the NBA is way different than college. In college, I feel like it’s more um more dialed down. Um but in the NBA, it’s like a whole different like they expect you to know it. Like you’re not doing a lot of teaching. Like you’re not doing a lot of a lot of grasping concepts and like that. Like it’s like a you got to catch on quick. You know what I’m saying? So like that’s kind of the difference to me honestly. What’ you see? Yeah. I mean first of all some Okay, let me also say like I went to Virginia so we played a very slow game in general and so when I got to summer league I was like oh this is fun. like we were running up and down. It wasn’t really much stopping. Like you there’s a lot more like running in summer league. There’s not many plays. So, it’s more like open gym. And I mean, my first summer league I I played pretty well. And I was first team all summer league. But obviously, it didn’t matter cuz I didn’t have a good game until February of the next year. So, like like I said, like he didn’t play great his first summer league, but he had a better rookie year. But I played great summer league and it didn’t play good for another like 50 games. So, it doesn’t matter. Like, it doesn’t mean anything. So, um I feel like a lot of people try to jump to conclusions and make uh assessments on kids in summer league and it’s just too early. Like there’s no there’s no way too early. Yeah. It’s like your first your first taste of the NBA. You know what I’m saying? Like it’s like it’s a whole different game. You know what I mean? It’s like you kind of watch summer league and try to label somebody as he’s going to be this, he’s going to be that. It’s just it’s so far. You’re not even playing with your team. What’s your what’s your advice um to the rookies in terms of we’ve talked a bunch about just the the slog of the season understanding the pacing even the difference in college there in terms of 82 games if you’re on a playoff team obviously more than that and just making sure that you’re like knowing there’s going to be peaks and valleys there’s going to be the you know rookie wall so to speak and managing that mentally um it’s kind of like a up and down thing you kind of got to just kind of stay even kill like you just can’t can’t dwell on bad games. You can’t be too high on the good games. You just got to just approach every game the same and just try to try to play hard every night and let the chips fall where they may, which is which is hard cuz obviously when you get to that Allstar break period, your body is is you cook. You know what I’m saying? Now it comes into the point where you’re trying to gear and prep for the playoffs. Now that I’ve got to that point, now that I see how that is, like it’s a whole different battle. Like it’s like I’m watching the thing, I’m thinking like, damn, they still playing. Like you got to get ready for that. You got to get your body ready for that. So I would just say just try to stay even kill like try to find routines, find things that work to keep your body fresh and just just play, bro. Everybody going through it. You know what I’m saying? So then we’ll get into another questions. What was your welcome to the NBA moment? Oh my gosh, I remember this like it was yesterday. Um, so our second game, my second game in NBA, we played the Bucks and we doing going over film, Jabari Smith dash Zakoupo. Yep. He had like 36. He was like 14 for 16. Like he like, you know what I’m saying? Like um we we we in film. We pre we prepping like we obviously saying build a wall. It was no wall the whole game. Like I don’t I feel like I was on an island. I’m coming to the bench mad. I’m like where everybody at? Like he coming full speed, Euro step, dunk. Like it was just I just never felt to a point it was just nothing I could do. Like you know what I’m saying? Like he was posting up. I’m trying to front. It was just it was just nothing I could do honestly. So, it was just that was a very very welcome to the NBA moment. And and John Lucas was our assistant coach. He’d be he [ __ ] with me all the time about it. Was there was there something else about him in particular outside of the obvious physicality that he possesses that you were surprised about? He plays hard as [ __ ] Yeah. Like he plays hard as hell. Like it doesn’t anytime I’ve played him, he plays the same. Like he’s crashing the glass. He’s he’s not like he’s he playing hard. like he just you don’t you don’t see that from like top five players in the league and like just the the the energy you’re exerting like he playing hard like as hell. First of all, I mean you mentioned the name as well. We got to give a shout to John Lucas. One of the funniest people in the world, John Lucas. Uh he’s actually from where I’m from and he was the number one tennis player and basketball player. Really? Yeah. Yeah. He makes it known. I’ve heard. Yeah. Yeah. He he makes you know. He tells me all the time he was the one he was the first pick. I was the third. So he let me know probably every day. So yeah. Know any good John Lucas stories you got that you can tell on camera obviously. Any John Lucas stories? Um I can just say like my first few workouts like he was just like he just [ __ ] with you. Like he just get under your skin like he going to say stuff to make you mad. He going to test you. He going to push your buttons. Like that’s just who he is. But at the end of the day he love you. Like he going to pull you to the side, talk to you, have real conversations with you. And he always going to keep it real with you. like he not going to sugarcoat nothing and he just everything he told me how it was going to happen like after my first year it’s happened that way so he’s I mean I still talk to him to this day so like I don’t have no crazy wild story that I can think of off top of my head it’s I’m sure it’s a thousand yeah for sure with I just you got one I just can’t think of them off top of my head uh I’m really trying to think a lot of a lot of phone calls it’s like I’ll be on like one of my best friends name is Quincy Oliver he was working out with him and uh he go He called uh Quincy called me and then John Lucas is driving. He snatched a phone from Quincy like on the FaceTime and started talking to me like, “Yo, bro, could you be paying attention to the road?” But that’s just Luke though, he’s he’s always going to say what he got to say. But at the end of day, he going to show love. That’s that’s the biggest things about about him. He always shows love. For sure. Always. What do you think um from a skill standpoint individually, even from like from year one to two in terms of like you’re like I want my summer to be this knowing what you learned summer league knowing what you learned in your rookie year? Um what does that progression look like? Have there been have there been is it footwork and have there been specific things that you’ve just sort of like locked in on? Um, it kind of comes it kind of comes down to like you kind of try to touch everything during the summer. Like even things you probably won’t necessarily do when the season starts, you know? You kind of try to just just fine-tune everything. You try to work on everything. Try to play, try to make yourself uncomfortable. Like that’s what I’m kind of starting to understand. Like during the summer, you got to put yourself in uncomfortable situations so the season can be easier. And just train so hard during the offseason toward the point the season is where it can flow. You know what I’m saying? Where you’re comfortable. But as far as just pinpointing on like one specific thing, like I mean you can do that, but it’s it’s just not how I kind of like to approach it, honestly. I just like like to touch on everything. Even the things I’m good at, I’m still fine-tuning. I’m still touching that every day. Like it’s just just kind of different ways to go about it. Obviously, you have weaknesses that you need to focus on more. But I think it’s just when you get to a point in the league, you obviously know what you’re going to be doing. So, you need to just fine-tune those and stay good at those cuz it’s a you got to be good at what you at. That’s what they paying you. They’re paying you to do a certain certain job and you need to perfect that skill. So that’s how I be think about it. Do you feel like you had an offseason breakthrough like a thing just in the workouts that you were like when I when I developed this this helped me make the jump? Are you saying this summer or you saying I’m saying in general? I’m saying in I’m saying in your trajectory. Do you feel like there was a because like you know sometimes in life you just have these and it’s not like it’s like one specific moment but it’s like oh you lock in on something and then all of a sudden you’re like you see the results down the road and you understand. I mean I just work really hard dog. Like that’s that’s all really I just work hard as [ __ ] And uh it’s kind of funny too cuz like towards like the end of the season there’s stuff that I’ll be like doing in the game. I’m like all right I already know like this summer I’m about to work on this [ __ ] So, it’s like I get excited to, you know, get to the summer and be able to work on that so I can come back next year and be better. Because to me, I feel like if you’re going to be in the NBA, that’s your job. Your job is to get better like each summer. If you’re not coming back a better player next year, then what are you doing? Like you don’t really care about what you want to do. Obviously, like people have their roles and you’re supposed to perfect your role, but you still want to get better as a player, whether that is mentally, physically, or you know, any other way. So you got to find a way to get better each each summer. Where did the where did your the the jab in terms of you just your sort of mastery of it? Where did that come from? I mean that’s just kind of like a fun like my dad taught me the fundamentals early in like when I was growing up like he never taught me to dribble dribble dribble dribble. Like he was I was doing one dribble pull-ups. Like he was teaching me the fundamentals like early like that was the thing that I learned first. So that’s just kind of just how I was like as I got taller, older, my body started filling out. But I obviously grew. Um, and it’s just like kind of just what I did. Like I wasn’t athletic growing up. Like when I was I didn’t dunk till I was in ninth grade. I was 6’5. But I was I’m I’m 6’4. I’m 6’4, 6’3 in eighth grade. Like you were athletes dunking. Like it’s easy. You know what I’m saying? Well, you was 14. 15. 15. But I just it just you would think somebody 6’5 can dunk the basketball. For sure. Right or wrong? I guess so. You didn’t dunk till senior year? Yes. Did you say that when you did all the dunk contest [ __ ] Did you say that in the I didn’t tell them that, but like if they asked me that. Yeah. I didn’t dunk till I was a senior in high school. Man, I don’t believe that. First of all, what you I’m not going to lie, I can look it up. I don’t believe that. I was at the dunk contest. Yeah. No. Yeah. Yeah. I don’t believe that. Now, when I started ducking, I hit the ground running. I will say that I did hit the ground running. I got a little bounce now. Can’t lie to you. But I will say I was a late bloomer. That’s all it was. What do you think? Not to change subject to the dunk contest, but what do you think the fix is for the dunk contest? That’s a great question. I’m not helping anything dunk contest related at all. You need an answer. Your commissioner, you’re Adam’s over for today. I do not want to sit in his seat. So, what do you think it is, man? I’m not going to lie. I just think ever since the Aaron Gordon, Zack Lavine thing, like people are looking for that. Like even even the dunk contest now like I’m watching the dunks like it’s it’s it’s good dunks. Like it’s not it’s just like people are looking for that. Like you’re looking for that like I don’t I don’t know how to explain it but it’s like well they’re looking for the back and forth. I think they’re looking for that. They’re looking for the people who keep doing the dunk contest and they’re known for that. You know what I mean? Well my question and this is said with the utmost respect but but Mac is so good. He’s such a like professional dunker, but then that you only see him, you know, during the dunk contest. You don’t see him any other time of year. So, it the thing that made the the uh Zack Aaron one great was it was like you see those guys all year and then all of a sudden they come in and start busting this stuff out versus like there’s a little bit of like the word I would use with all respect is like mercenary. Yeah. Where like he comes in and he the dunks are incredible. like he deserves everything that he gets for it. But there is also just like he goes and he does it and then he goes away and so everybody else feels like they’re playing catch-up with him all the time. Yeah, that’s true. I’m literally right here, bro. I’m just like I’m waiting for right here. I’m waiting for I’m waiting for your solution. He gave one. All right, so look, I think last year they missed opportunity with Steph Castle because one of the dunks that he did he missed like the first two and he made on the last one. It was a 50 without a doubt. I feel like they punched him. That’s what I’m saying. Like when I watched it. I watched dunk contest. The dunks were like it was some good dunks. Like it wasn’t And so if they would have had it so he had a 50 then it could have gone to a dunk off but then when Mac won he had a 50 dunk on his last dunk and so then it’s like all right M wins. It’s like it almost feels like you wanted more from the dunk contest and they didn’t do they missed out on opportunity there. And I mean with also the dunk contest too is hard bro cuz you do one dunking you’re not dunking again for another like 10 minutes. So you got to find a way to stay warm. is it’s difficult all commercial like being at the dunk contest I really saw like like they just they’re like the they’re prepping it they’re they’re like it’s slow roll like they give you time to get loose but like you’re not loose like you’re not loose to go do this dunk like you waiting like it’s just the the process is so long they just sitting over there iced looking I’m like man no way they going to go try to dunk right now like it’s tough it also feels it also feels like when you’re in the middle of the season even if you commit to doing it or whatever it’s like the creativity it’s kind of hard It’s It’s like the time it takes to think about what to do is also can be taxing too. You got to get fresh legs for for the dunk contest and you’ve been playing Yeah. 6% of the season. So like And they don’t let you warm up. Like you can’t even like break no sweat before you go try to do double between the legs 360. Like what about what about allar? I mean Allstar I mean like what do y do y’all want them to do? Like what I like so when I so when I see people talking about it it’s like play harder and it’s just like why like what are they going out there and like I think it’s a fair question like what are they going out there and like playing like it’s the game I think it’s a fair question because other sport like the pro bowl doesn’t even exist anymore really that’s what I’m saying baseball it’s not like like flag football now isn’t it isn’t like no pads after the Shawn Taylor won they had to just lit up the funner it’s like for why it’s just like I think the allar game needs to be for what it is. Like it’s all stars. They get they get known and they they go play the game. Like this is And correct me if I’m wrong. Were they playing hard back in the day in the All-Star games? Like they were Yeah. Yeah. Like Jordan like those they were playing the 90s. They were bro Kobe Kobe’s nose got broken. Kobe. So they were playing hard like that. People say that co that that when Kobe left that’s when this started basically because Kobe would force everybody to play hard. I mean, you got to get somebody out there to make them play hard, but I just feel like like people tired, bro. Like, let me throw Let me throw because you could be in this situation to hypothetical to people have suggested this. If you did uh winner gets homecourt advantage, East West. East West. Yeah. Yeah. They’re going to be playing hard playing like you guys like you’re going to be playing. You’re be like, we’re going to finals. That’ll make them play for sure. My other thing though, which I think we’ve talked about this before and this would be I don’t even think this is controversial. It’s more just the reality of the situation is like the issue with Allstar, it’s a little bit like where we are now in summer league. It’s like there’s so much [ __ ] going on like your day is packed. You got and then you and then people are out and they’re going out which they should cuz they want to have fun cuz like this is their break. So like you can’t have all that and then be like playing the game. You got to be like this game matters. Yeah. Everybody let them do their own. You know what I’m saying? Yeah, act like a normal game. It’s not a bad idea, Commission. I don’t I don’t I don’t know though. I mean, I think it’s some some changes they can make. I I think definitely like stipulations like like prizes to it would definitely like up it a little bit. You know what I’m saying? But I don’t know. I just don’t see them just playing hard for no reason again. I mean, the competitive the competitiveness back in the day was obviously something that would probably Kobe, you can’t mama mentality, all of that. Like it’s just I don’t see nobody just making everybody play hard. I don’t see nobody making Luka play hard in Austin. It’s just I don’t know. But it was a good one like two years ago. No, with the target score. Yeah. I mean target scores are good. This year they had way too many breaks. Like I was there at the game and I’m like there was way too many breaks. Like there was more break time than there was game. Bro, they did a break to talk about the NBA on TNT guys to like to talk about them for like Yeah, bro. Like I’m like what is going on like right now? Like it’s more of a show. They’re making it more of a show. But the thing is while they’re doing that, they’re trying to make it like they’re trying to make it more entertaining, which I get it. But it’s like less is more, man. We come for basketball. I’m not here to see Mr. Beast. They got to play to him. I mean, I hear it, but we got to play. Like they got to we got to go out there and try to You’re not wrong. No, for sure. I think the younger guys now like they’re probably going to start, you know, trying to play because they don’t feel like hearing it from, you know, the outside media. I wanted to uh I wanted to ask you about a couple of your other teammates. Yeah. Um Tari, Alpie, Thompson, like the guys that the young crew with you. Yeah. What do you think makes everybody so special individually? I mean, I feel like everybody’s just unique in their own ways. Like obviously a man is just like the most athletic person on the planet. So it’s like you can’t really Everybody is unique in their own way. Obviously Tar East is like a mad man. He plays hard every game. Like you you talk about those people who like are tough like he’s gonna play hard every time he step on the floor no matter if he’s sick, if he banged up, like he gonna play hard regardless. And Alfie is just like just so skilled. Like everybody’s just you unique in their own way. I feel like that’s what that’s what makes it so intriguing cuz it’s like every player is so different, you know what I mean? So like I think that’s what that’s what like makes it makes it go cuz like everybody is is so different. Is it is it objectively agreed upon that a man’s the most athletic player in the league? It feels like everybody seems to think that now. I mean is either one A or one B. I mean it’s like if you put if you put athleticism as in a whole like speed like strength like just jumping like if you put all of it in there like n I don’t think anybody is is as fast as him and jumped as high as him. I mean there’s one person that might be who? His twin. Yeah. Yeah. That’s I mean Yeah. That’s one A and one B. Yeah, for sure. I mean, [ __ ] Yeah, probably. 1 A and one B. Even though No, I saw it. You know what? I’m not going to bring it up. Bring it up. He did hurt my He did hurt my shoulder, but he ain’t mean to. So, I’m going to let him slide today. But I do remember it though. I definitely do remember it. He’s still sad. Yeah, but it hurt. I dislocated my shoulder. Bro, that hurt. Like, there’s only like probably two people in the world that can kick a shoulder and dislocate it from like a grown man. And is that a sign of athleticism? Yes. I his leg hit my should hit my arm and I dislocated my shoulder. Like has he does he do does he do stuff in practice? Cuz like oh my gosh, bro. I don’t even get me started. Like you know obviously you’re going against the coaches and [ __ ] like they got the arms and like you’re you’re going like the things that I’ve seen him do in practice. It’s like if it was cameras on it, people wouldn’t even like it’s just it’s it’s it’s ridiculous. Like it’s like the random jumping. Like being able to jump and not like load up. Just being able to just like just jump and you’re like your head is at the rim. Like that’s just a skill that you just can’t you can’t you can’t even train that. Like how do you how do you get better at that? You don’t le just something that like you can’t really teach. Like he gets offensive rebound and just jumps right back up. Like doesn’t bend down or anything. Like it’s just something I’ve never seen before honestly. And it it get me pissed off talking about it because it’s like why can’t I do that? Well, this is you not being you’re like I’m not a good I wasn’t a good athlete. You know what I’m saying? Like why could I like But he cannot go on the dunk contest. Why not? No, he doesn’t. I don’t I don’t I don’t I don’t see him like he doesn’t have any like tricks or anything like being in a dunk contest, you got to be like you got to have some tricks, bro. Honestly, I feel like you had a good dunk contest, bro. Honestly, thank you, bro. I think I should have won, but you know, it is what it is. I feel like you had a really good dunk contest. Honestly, I I was honestly surprised. That’s okay with you. I didn’t expect what you I I didn’t know what you were gonna do. Obviously, I knew you was athletic, but it’s like, damn, bro. He’s like 6’9. Like, what is he gonna do? Would you do three-point? Either you do three-point. Yeah. Yeah, I would for sure. Yeah, I’ll do it. Three-point, I think, has the same A couple people said that this year. It’s the same thing about being cold, though. Like, if you shoot first or second. Yeah, but you’re warm after the first rack. After the first shooting basketball, bro. After the first rack, you should be cool. It ain’t like they just bend it down and like no I think they after the first rack you should be like all right bet. What do you what do you think um with Albby? He’s so good at so much. But what do you think has allowed him to basically be sort of as as in control of the game as he is at like his age? I think it’s how much better he he’s gotten. Like I’ve seen him since his second year and I’ve seen him now to his fourth. It’s like he’s gotten more athletic. He’s gotten stronger. like like the his his physical like the the um what he imposes like to other people is like it wasn’t like that like two years ago. Like he wasn’t just burying people and like you know like if you hit a switch you’re dead. You got to double like some teams like don’t let him play one-on-one in the post and you know what I’m saying? It’s just you can’t. So it’s like so it’s like he’s he’s just gotten so much better at reading the game. He’s going to get better and better and better at just like reading the game and and making a simple play. like he’s he people judge him so so strongly and forget like he’s like 22 years old like the the weight he has on his shoulder as being like one of our best players it’s just just not easy you know what I’m saying he’s he’s he’s special for real 22 yeah he’s 22 crazy oh my god that’s what I’m saying like 22 maybe 23 I don’t know what do you cuz you’re both in a version of this you’re both in a version of this right now where like you’re you can remember your summer league like it was yesterday like you still are the young stars of the league but you also are becoming more like vets like you got like like he’s talking about his mentee over here but I’m like he has a mentee like he has someone that has like who’s your mentee Carter Bryant Carter Bryant yeah kid we’re going to fact check with him that what is that what is mentee what is that like I try you know he’s mentor try to like give him some knowledge how did that come about he came to you or like what n it was um it was Nike Skills academy. I was like one of the NBA players that came back and played and I had seen him earlier because his trainer Olan the guard whisperer he uh he used to work him out and I knew him because of the kill and so I would see clips and I was like all right this kid has a chance like he’s going to be pretty good cuz I mean he already had the size and then he had skill with it. So, um, I was talking to him in Nike Skills and then we just stayed in contact and I throughout the year at Arizona, he would ask for advice and stuff like that and I would just, you know, just try to help him through stuff, just talk, you know, talk to him because I know for me, like coming up, like I would always love when older people would, you know, spit knowledge and, you know, give me give me game because, you know, it’s just it’s free like it’s free knowledge and then you get a step ahead of everybody else. And so, you know, I’m not going to say like I’m his like he’s my mentee, like I’m his mentor, but like I just try to give him try to give him advice. That’s it. For sure. Did you have anyone like that for you? Nah, not really. I wouldn’t I wouldn’t say say like that that I’m just so in in invested into, but like it hit for me when I was coaching at the NBA top 100 camp and now they in the league and they like got drafted and I’m I’m looking like whoa. Like I feel kind of like old a little bit like almost they they saying big bro like you know what I’m saying? When I came in league, I was one of the youngest players in the league. Like, and that was that was a thing for for a while. Like, I’m just one of the youngest players. People coming in like at 19 now. I’m like like wait till he gets the UNK. It kind of hits you a little bit. But yeah, know that’s why I get all my jokes out now cuz I know I’m coming close. I’m closer to 30 than I am 18. So, yeah. It’s just it’s it’s crazy to think about. Like I was just coaching like these high schoolers and at the camp and now they’re getting drafted about to get drafted. Like it’s just it’s crazy like you’re going to be playing against them now. You know what I’m saying? So it’s crazy to think about really. Overall, what do you how do you feel about your personal growth as well as you know what you’re looking forward to this season with the Rockets? Um yeah. Uh just just honestly just me being more physical, more decisive, like stronger with the ball. Like obviously ball handling is going to be better, but like just just being stronger, like being more physical. Like it’s I’m in the weight room, I’m lifting weights, I’m getting bigger. Like it’s no reason that I shouldn’t be trying to run through people, trying to attack, you know what I’m saying? Like it’s just it’s just something I want to get better at. And that’s just something I’ve been working on. Like obviously getting stronger, but just just being more consistent. That’s the biggest thing. Like like as you get older and and and keep getting years in the league, you figure out ways to be better, be sharper for longer, try to like cuz your body’s tired, bro. Like it’s no way to to There’s going to be some days where you don’t feel like playing. There’s going to be some days where you’re exhausted and it’s just when I get better at that, fighting through that, I feel like the the the the work will show. You know what I’m saying? So, that’s just what I’m trying to get better at, being more consistent really, and just being more physical, stronger, more decisive, and just more aggressive. Well said. All right, cool. We’ll see you during the season. Yeah, for sure. Young man in the three closing out with big money bag. Money bag. [Music]

This week we welcome Jabari Smith Jr. of the Houston Rockets and Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans to the show! Jabari discusses his new contract extension and the Rockets’ busy offseason, which of course included trading for Kevin Durant. He also shares what went into the Rockets rebuilding the past few years and his thoughts on herd coach Ime Udoka, and what makes his teammates Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun such special talents. Jabari and Trey also reminisce on their summer league experiences and their first few years in the NBA before pitching ideas to fix NBA All-Star weekend. Let’s go!

0:00 Intro
0:52 Jabari’s contract extension
2:31 Thoughts on Kevin Durant joining the Rockets
5:06 Being a part of the Rockets’ rebuild
10:54 Looking back at Jabari and Trey’s summer league experiences
15:35 Jabari’s first experience guarding Giannis
18:35 Jabari and Trey’s career progression
22:36 Fixing all-star weekend
29:00 The Rockets young team, what makes everyone special
33:57 Getting older in the NBA

Subscribe to The Young Man and The Three podcast aka YM3 YouTube channel today for more NBA analysis, player interviews and highlights.

Previously The Old Man and the Three w/ JJ Redick (ESPN / First Take) and Tommy Alter