Houston Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. Focuses on Learning Amid Diminished Minutes

Despite a diminished role, Houston Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. is using his lack of fourth quarter minutes to learn behind a championship veteran.

HOUSTON — When the Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to six Sunday against the Denver Nuggets, Jabari Smith Jr. spent all but 14 seconds on the bench during the fourth quarter. Coach Ime Udoka decided to use Jeff Green during the final 12 minutes, as he scored 13 of the Rockets' 33 fourth-quarter points.

Smith did not take the benching personally. He left the Toyota Center pleased, given that the Rockets won. But instead of getting down on himself, Smith used the extra time on the sideline to study the 17-year veteran from afar.

"It's not like he [Udoka] isn't playing me because he doesn't like me," Smith said. "He [Green] is closing games in different scenarios where he should be out there. I am not looking at it as, 'Oh, I should be out there.' Right now, I'm just learning from Jeff and looking at it as a positive."

Not closing in late-game situations isn't ideal for any player. But Smith believes his second season is off to a "great" start. His averages are similar to his rookie year. But Smith isn't measuring the success of the 2023-24 season based on individual accolades; it has always been about wins.

The Rockets are 6-3 nine games into their first year under Udoka. Smith did not experience his sixth win of the season until Dec. 2 of his rookie year, which was on the heels of a 1-9 start.

Smith said his top objective was to have an impact on helping the Rockets win games. And there have been moments at the start of Smith's second season where his on-court production played a significant part in the team's victories.

Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) scores against Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) in the second quarter at Toyota Center / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

He helped the Rockets win their first four games of the winning streak by averaging 15.8 points on 61.0 percent shooting from the field and 6.8 rebounds. Smith averaged 28.0 minutes during the first four games, given that the Rockets won by an average margin of 21.5 points.

During Houston's 107-89 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 4, Smith had his best game of the streak. He scored 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field and pulled down 11 rebounds. His defense played a role in helping the Rockets contain All-Star Domantas Sabonis, who scored 11 points in the loss.

"From a winning standpoint, this is how I pictured it," Smith said. "I just wanted to come in here this season and impact winning, and I feel that's what I am doing. I feel like I am at a great point when it comes to individually and the team."

Smith believes he will get better throughout the season but understands that taking a step aside is one of the main components of improving.

The game against the Nuggets marked the second consecutive night Smith spent the closing minutes on the bench. Udoka benched Smith in the fourth quarter in favor of Green during Friday's comeback win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Green's contributions were significant in the Rockets' abilities to contain Zion Williamson down the stretch, who scored 18 of his 24 points in the first half. Whether against the Nuggets or Pelicans, Smith has used the final periods as a chance to study a championship veteran in actual time.

"His attention to detail, how to guard people by using different tricks," Smith said. "He just knows the game so well. He doesn't exert much energy. How technical he is. He knows how to make the game easier. I've been learning all of that."