Is it too hot of a take to say that Tari Eason projects out better than Jabari?

[jasonxxx102]

Good conversation!

I just posted this because I've been super impressed by Tari so far. I hadn't really focused too much on Jabari's defense to be completely honest.

It's on my list of things to look at more closely once summer league is done. It's hard to focus on more than 1 thing during a live game.

[Clyde Frazier]

Definitely, but I love Eason. Highly likely he fell too far.

[Nuntius]

They aren't exactly 24 months apart, just like they are 3 years apart for a few days. Both are accurate, at times, but neither is exact. So they are several years apart, just like they are 24 months apart, not sharing the same birthday....

Tari Eason was born on May 10th, 2001. Jabari Smith was born on May 13th, 2003. If we want to be 100% precise, they are exactly 733 days apart. And 733 is 24 months plus 3 days. It is not 3 years apart for a few days. 3 years is 1095 days apart. So, you were off by quite a bit there.

But is it 24 months apart? Wait, you aren't the person that made the statement. Nevermind...

If we want to be pedantic about it, it is 24 months and 3 days apart which, yes, isn't exactly 24 months apart. But it still is a hell of a lot closer than 3 years so the poster who you were arguing with was in the right.

[SelfishPlayer]

Tari Eason was born on May 10th, 2001. Jabari Smith was born on May 13th, 2003. If we want to be 100% precise, they are exactly 733 days apart. And 733 is 24 months plus 3 days. It is not 3 years apart for a few days. 3 years is 1095 days apart. So, you were off by quite a bit there.

But is it 24 months apart? Wait, you aren't the person that made the statement. Nevermind...

If we want to be pedantic about it, it is 24 months and 3 days apart which, yes, isn't exactly 24 months apart. But it still is a hell of a lot closer than 3 years so the poster who you were arguing with was in the right.

LOL at them being 24 months apart in age but they can't be 3 years apart in age. They both aren't precise.

[GreatWhiteStiff]

SelfishPlayer be trollin'. Or he's boxxy you see.

[PlayerUp]

Not a hot take at all. I think Eason will project better than Jabari. Jabari Parker that is.

[Village Idiot]

Here's my hot take. Jabari Walker has been just as good as Jabari Smith this summer league

[John Murdoch]

He has completely cucked him...sad he had promise

[shi-woo]

Not even remotely close as prospects. Jabari is low key one of the more under rated guys in the league, he's just in a horrible position. Tati as a rookie was the age Smith is now, so we also have to keep that in mind.

Just like what we are seeing with Vik and the Spurs this year, when you play on a team that has ZERO perimeter shooting, it really effects guys in a negative way. Jabari doesn't excel at putting the ball on the floor, and the Rockets provide no spacing at this point, so he looks a lot worse than what he really is. Once he has a team that has solid vets shooting high volume from 3 at 40%+ people will realize his value. Right now Brooks is their most consistent shooter, and that's depressing even if he is having a great year from behind the arc.

He's an awesome rebounder, solid shooter who projects to be an above average 3pnt shooter, and has all the makings of an elite defender. He is the ultimate glue guy, and I think he gets there.

As he matures he is going to be playing more and more 5, and already plays the small ball 5 for HOU at times. His role on defense will be similar to Giannis', and I expect him to have similar defensive impact as someone like Tatum who can do everything you want defensively 3-5. We saw how valuable that was in the playoffs this year, and under Ime he can reach that level imo. I think having a guy that can defend like that is more valuable than what Tari brings, even if individually he is probably the better defender right now.

Offense they are similar, but again, I think Smith will be better once the team is ready to compete. Tari does a lot of energy things offensively like crashing the glass, and cutting to the basket, but ultimately I like Smiths shooting more going forward.

I view Tari as a Lou Dort level of player when it's all said and done, and think that's his ceiling. His impact will be similar to guys like Josh Hart and Aaron Gordon.

Smith can reach the level of current Mobley as a player, but realistically think he settles around the Brook Lopez, Miles Turner level of player.

Very similar, team dependent, but Jabari has more potential given his size/length/shooting. Honestly, great draft by HOU

[cupcakesnake]

Not even remotely close as prospects. Jabari is low key one of the more under rated guys in the league, he's just in a horrible position. Tati as a rookie was the age Smith is now, so we also have to keep that in mind.

Just like what we are seeing with Vik and the Spurs this year, when you play on a team that has ZERO perimeter shooting, it really effects guys in a negative way. Jabari doesn't excel at putting the ball on the floor, and the Rockets provide no spacing at this point, so he looks a lot worse than what he really is. Once he has a team that has solid vets shooting high volume from 3 at 40%+ people will realize his value. Right now Brooks is their most consistent shooter, and that's depressing even if he is having a great year from behind the arc.

He's an awesome rebounder, solid shooter who projects to be an above average 3pnt shooter, and has all the makings of an elite defender. He is the ultimate glue guy, and I think he gets there.

As he matures he is going to be playing more and more 5, and already plays the small ball 5 for HOU at times. His role on defense will be similar to Giannis', and I expect him to have similar defensive impact as someone like Tatum who can do everything you want defensively 3-5. We saw how valuable that was in the playoffs this year, and under Ime he can reach that level imo. I think having a guy that can defend like that is more valuable than what Tari brings, even if individually he is probably the better defender right now.

Offense they are similar, but again, I think Smith will be better once the team is ready to compete. Tari does a lot of energy things offensively like crashing the glass, and cutting to the basket, but ultimately I like Smiths shooting more going forward.

I view Tari as a Lou Dort level of player when it's all said and done, and think that's his ceiling. His impact will be similar to guys like Josh Hart and Aaron Gordon.

Smith can reach the level of current Mobley as a player, but realistically think he settles around the Brook Lopez, Miles Turner level of player.

Very similar, team dependent, but Jabari has more potential given his size/length/shooting. Honestly, great draft by HOU

I'm not sure I understand pointing out team circumstance when comparing these two players, because they play on the same team. Furthermore, Jabari's main offensive skill is his pull up shooting, where Tari is a rim pressure guy. Tari should be the one more dependant on spacing than Jabari.

I really like Jabari's defense, but I don't share the offensive optimism you have. The guy really lacks handles and passing skills, so I don't see him ever looking like Mobley. You compare him to Brook Lopez and Myles Turner, but those two have wingspans 3-4 inches longer and outweigh him by 30-50lbs. I think you're more correct with the Tatum comp, or that should be the defensive goal for Jabari. Big defensive forward who can guard everyone and protect the rim some. Jabari doesn't have center size, despite being pretty tall. Eason actually has slightly longer arms than him.

It's not that I'm high on Eason's offensive potential either, but I think his offensive rebounding and steals leading to transition buckets will always bring some value. Jabari has way more potential as a shooter and iso scorer, but I don't see him becoming amazing at these things.

[LarsV8]

Both are awesome, so happy with these guys.

[MrBigShot]

I remember in the summer league right before his 2nd year, Jabari damn near looked like TMac he was on another level than any other player in SL. I thought he was primed for a breakout year.

I'm doubtful that Jabari can really fulfill his potential without a change of scenery.

[azcatz11]

The narrative last year was he wasn't getting enough shots...now he's getting even less and there's an issue. Maybe there is but he's still one of the best college freshman ever the past 20 years or so and he's 22 years old. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he got a fresh start and exploded somewhere else

[jbk1234]

Big men take longer to develop, but some of the attributes posters are ascribing to Smith, I just haven't seen. I was shocked to seem him listed at 6'11" because he plays smaller than that to my eye.

[Infinite Llamas]

It would be wild if two years in a row, the guy the Rockets drafted with their 2nd pick turned into better player than the 1st one.

Not saying that Eason is better than Jabari but it could happen. Sengun is obviously better than Ja. Green at this point.

[NO-KG-AI]

Big men take longer to develop, but some of the attributes posters are ascribing to Smith, I just haven't seen. I was shocked to seem him listed at 6'11" because he plays smaller than that to my eye.

NBA fans have this weird thing of calling guys that are 6’9ish with perimeter skills 6’11-7’, but 6’9 guys that are defenders/rebounders are called 6’7 lol.

[LarsV8]

On offense,

Ime has really upped the pace, possibly because we have little half court creation, and can't generate good looks. So we have everyone sprinting up the court for a quick bucket, or putback. The results have been...odd....a middle of the pack offense, driven by historic offensive rebounding, and not turning the ball over, all the while not getting to the line basically at all, and having terrible efficiency. Alot of our player's individual efficiency has plummeted this year, notably Jabari and Sengun, all the while producing a better team offense. It really is strange. Its nice to be competitive, but has little chance in the playoffs, as it is a bit of a gimmick.

I think Jabari would benefit greatly from a half court centric offense, with more spot up shooting opportunities. I really expected him to be a 40%+ 3pt shooter, but nobody on the team is really getting good shots. Heck, even Reed, a historic shooter in college, can't seen to navigate the chaos. The current system is much more suited to Amen / Tari's style, which too no surprise is probably why they are thriving. Jabari is robotic and clunky with the ball, you really don't want him dribbling any more than three steps, to re-establish position on a shot. Anything else is going to result in a turnover half the time.

On defense,

Jabari is terrific, great length and switch ability. Smart player too. Tari is outstanding too, but he, again, is more chaotic, while Jabri is a more systematic defender.

Bottom line is, both have been awesome, but we still need to balance the roster a bit and get an offensive difference maker, preferably one who can quarterback an offense and manufacture free throws. I am excited to see this team in its final form, because we have so so so many good pieces. If I were GM, I would be looking to find an offensive engine, and a traditional athletic defensive center, who can also hit threes. Without that, I think we are capped as a second round team, with the current roster. I think we have the assets to get it done, we just need the opportunity.

[Kiss of Death]

In the last few games, both of them have been unlocked by moving down in position because of injuries.

This lineup looks like it should not work at all but it does:

C - Steven Adams
PF - Alperen Sengun
SF - Jabari Smith Jr
SG - Tari Eason
PG - Jalen Green

Ime Udoka found something here. Tari and Jalen had some minutes last night as the backcourt as well (without the double big lineup). And Tari had 30 points.

[Onlytimewilltel]

The narrative last year was he wasn't getting enough shots...now he's getting even less and there's an issue. Maybe there is but he's still one of the best college freshman ever the past 20 years or so and he's 22 years old. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he got a fresh start and exploded somewhere else

Agreed… severely underutilized in Houston

[dballislife]

jabari and keegan have both been disappointments.....i mean they both came in with good size and a nice stroke thats why they went so high but have not added to their games