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

[Rainwater]

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.

It was summer league; second year guys tend to look good. Keegan Murray and Jett Howard looked good in summer league as well.

[MoreyWins]

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.

The frontcourt reminds me of the big lineups that OKC would put out with Durant, Kanter, and Adams.

EDIT:
HOU's trio (2025 RS): +57.8 net rating in 33 minutes/6 games
OKC's trio (2016 RS): -1.1 net rating in 41 minutes/16 games
OKC's trio (2016 PO): +15 net rating in 91 minutes/12 games

[Astaluego]

Udoka is the best coach in the NBA right now.

[jordanwilliams6]

Jabari will clearly be moved on this offseason IMO and give Eason the starting role full time.

I think the Rockets will move both Fred & Smith Jr. I don't think they need either and will find better uses for $60 million.

[dn0774]

Jabari will clearly be moved on this offseason IMO and give Eason the starting role full time.

I think the Rockets will move both Fred & Smith Jr. I don't think they need either and will find better uses for $60 million.

I recall reading that Tari has some leg issue that is ongoing/recurring, saw some Rockets fans even compare the situation to what Kawhi deals with. Is it serious enough to impact extension negotiations? He missed a bunch of games in December & January without a specific injury taking place iirc. I wonder if it would impact the Rockets willingness to move on from Jabari.

If anyone knows more i'd be interested to hear it.

[Infinite Llamas]

Udoka is the best coach in the NBA right now.

I wish Boston still had him.

[MoreyWins]

Jabari will clearly be moved on this offseason IMO and give Eason the starting role full time.

I think the Rockets will move both Fred & Smith Jr. I don't think they need either and will find better uses for $60 million.

I recall reading that Tari has some leg issue that is ongoing/recurring, saw some Rockets fans even compare the situation to what Kawhi deals with. Is it serious enough to impact extension negotiations? He missed a bunch of games in December & January without a specific injury taking place iirc. I wonder if it would impact the Rockets willingness to move on from Jabari.

If anyone knows more i'd be interested to hear it.

Tari Eason has had lingering soreness in his leg that keeps him from playing full back to backs. Last season he had a benign growth in his shin that he got surgery on. The Rockets have been careful to not overextend Tari Eason's workload before the playoffs.

As for Jabari, he provides a skillset that the team cannot replicate. It was proven in January how important his rebounding and defense is with his absence. If it were my decision, I'd keep Jabari on the roster with the intention of trying to get him to sign an extension and if we can't come to terms then I'd let the market dictate his value. There's a stopping point where he becomes way too expensive, but teams might be hesitant to offer the max for Jabari. He's still an unknown on offense.

[Kiss of Death]

People have been predicting that the Rockets would be ‘giving up and moving on’ from the young core players for years.

Yet, here they are.
Second in the west with the season almost over.

Rockets are fine with both Smith and Eason.

[Godymas]

imo giving up on Smith is foolish. If you just forget about his draft pick, the floor is very much a playable stretch 3 and D PF which is a very useable archetype in the NBA.

[ShootersShoot]

We have seen it with boston, okc, and now the rockets that defensive versatility is one of the most important things in the nba. Eason is a big part of that.

[Onlytimewilltel]

We have seen it with boston, okc, and now the rockets that defensive versatility is one of the most important things in the nba. Eason is a big part of that.

Yup. So is Jabari actually. Super switchable defender.

[RollingWave]

Tari Eason clearly is a better play maker, in fact people might really underestimate how much so, he's got a nearly 20 PER for a guy with a mainly off ball wing role, for perspective, other big time play making defensive guys like say Dyson Daniels or Jaden McDaniels have around 15 PER.

However, the lineup plus minus with Jabari is actually super impressive, if you look at Ime Udoka's usage pattern, before his hand injury he was playing Jabari an insane number of minutes because he just makes most lineup works, he's really versatile on defense and a pretty solid connective piece.

It really depends on what these guys thing of themselves, neither Tari or Jabari have played in roles that would be max extension guys, if Houston gets them on good deal it's not a given that they can't keep their guys together a lot longer than you'd think.

Tari is pretty amusing player if you watch him often, he makes some really bone headed plays on offense sometimes, but then comes up with a ton of amazing plays too, but it seems like he is one of those super energy guys that sometime if the effort isn't all the way there he can be pretty ineffective, though he also been shooting it better than you'd suspect (albeit not on good volume.)

Jabari I feel like if his shots just go in more people would view him very differently, though he is one of those rare NBA guys that doesn't always look very confident in himself, but there have been quite a few games over the last few years where he just randomly look like a budget airline version of KD on offense, but they're just too rare and also the team doesn't do a great job finding him.

If you look at the Rocket's main 5 main lineups the funny thing is almost all the high minutes very positive lineup has Jabari, and the worst one is oddly just replacing Jabari with Amen, this surprise almost everyone given the eye test, but it's a pretty big sample

[RollingWave]

Watch on YouTube

There are games like these from Jabari too, I do wish he was a more consistent rebounder, there are games where he just look like he's trying much harder on the board then others. And those games when he's aggressive just look really good, especially with him also being a really useful flexible piece that give Houston the option to play smaller. (or play huge when he plays with both Adams and Sengun.0

[Chuck Everett]

Watch on YouTube

There are games like these from Jabari too, I do wish he was a more consistent rebounder, there are games where he just look like he's trying much harder on the board then others. And those games when he's aggressive just look really good, especially with him also being a really useful flexible piece that give Houston the option to play smaller. (or play huge when he plays with both Adams and Sengun.0

There's only one ball. I'd say it bodes well for his future that he is a team player that doesn't seem to grouse about touches. I still believe his time will come, but the offensive pecking order in Houston is still being figured out. Playoffs will show a lot for everyone, I believe.

[zeebneeb]

Jabari would be amazing on the Pistons. Seeing as how the team can now trade picks...

Don't miss the phone call when it comes.

[zimpy27]

I think Jabari is the sort of player that would be very valuable in certain situations. He is probably not a good fit with Sengun and would be better suited next to a defensive C

[reamily]

I like eason but among the rockets core, jabari might be the most complete player doesnt have the flaws jalen, anen and alpi have.. but doesnt have the production yet compare to the rockets big 3..if he somehow breakout then houston might become a contender by next year with or without van. Vleet

[John Murdoch]

I think Jabari is the sort of player that would be very valuable in certain situations. He is probably not a good fit with Sengun and would be better suited next to a defensive C

Honestly gives me Pj Washington vibez...just needs to get outta there to contribute elsewhere

[Got em Coach]

I like eason but among the rockets core, jabari might be the most complete player doesnt have the flaws jalen, anen and alpi have.. but doesnt have the production yet compare to the rockets big 3..if he somehow breakout then houston might become a contender by next year with or without van. Vleet

nah. he has major flaws. he cant dribble to save his life. not particularly athletic and is extremely awkward with no fluidity in his movements.

[liquidswords]

Udoka is the best coach in the NBA right now.

I wish Boston still had him.

You guys literally won a championship.