The second-year forward of the Houston Rockets can now and then be spotted in the headlines of various tabloids. Jabari Smith Jr. pruned his skills back at Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone and was a very impressive draft prospect in the 2022–23 season. The heavily perimeter-oriented, lean power forward with a 7’2 wingspan seems to be a potential player to add lineups in the absence of a true center.

Regarding his playmaking, the power forward derives inspiration from a number of basketball biggies. Ranging from Kevin Durant to LeBron James, the player seems to learn a lot from his idols. As he steps into defensive greatness, can his inspiration guide him forward?

Jabari Smith Jr. praised LeBron James

The sports media house, Sportskeeda, did an exclusive with the Houston Rockets power forward. Lining up a spectrum of questions, somehow the interviewer got to the point where he asked about his takeaways from how LeBron plays. What made the question even more interesting was that the question was associated with a timeframe when Smith Jr. was growing up.

Answering the question, ‘Locksmith’ said, “What can’t you take away? It’s his commitment to the game, even when everybody doubts him, and he deals with a lot of naysayers.” Adding to the narrative, the one-on-one became even more interesting when ‘Locksmith’ said that his father had played against James.

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When asked about whether he told King James or not, the player seemed quite willing to tell the story. Smith Jr. said, “That was pretty cool. I was telling him that he played against my dad, and I’m playing against him now, and just that it’s all full circle.” Though, amidst the respect Smith Jr. indicated toward the sports icon, all eyes remain on whether the star himself has grown over his time on the court.

Has Jabari Smith Jr. improved as a player?

Jabari Smith Jr. is a chip off the old block, and there’s no denying the fact since his game is just a modernized version of what his father portrayed on the hardwood. The player has a leaner body type; that’s a story under development since the player has even gained nearly 20 pounds since he arrived at Auburn.

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Although the player still stands offbeat when compared to Chet Holmgren, who missed the last season, his defending aspirations might open up some arenas for him. While it’s his second year in the league, with an average of 12.3 points per game and seven rebounds, the power forward is still throwing last year’s scores. The 20-year-old seems to be a rare player who is quick to admit that his defensive abilities still need some work.

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What are your views on the ex-Auburn Tigers? Let us know in the comment section.