Inside The Rockets

Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. Ready for Breakout

Jabari Smith Jr. could have his best season yet for the Houston Rockets.

Jeremy Brener

Oct 9, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Oct 9, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images / Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
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Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. could be due for a massive payday next summer, so playing well in his third NBA season is important.

Smith, 21, has put in a ton of work into his craft over the offseason, which caught the attention of NBA TV analyst Dennis Scott.

“Jabari, I’ve seen you all summer, I know you’ve put in the work," Scott said. "I know you love this game. This is the year that he has to break out. And get in that conversation. We’ve seen Paolo break out for Orlando, guys like that. This is the year, Jabari. You’ve been there and done that and been a part of All-Star weekend- the social part of it. Now it’s time for you to take your game to the next level, earn that big bag that’s sitting there waiting for you, and then be that cornerstone for the future for the Rockets."

Smith averaged 13.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game for the Rockets last season despite having a lower usage rate than his rookie season. His efficiency improved tremendously, which is a sign that he is getting better.

If Smith can kick it into another gear for the Rockets this season, he may get that extension and solidify himself as a key part of the team's core for years to come.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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