Rockets Duo Expresses Post-Season Aspirations During 2023 NBA Finals

Kevin Porter Jr. and Jabari Smith Jr. have been inspired to end the Houston Rockets post-season drought while watching the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

HOUSTON — Sunday marks Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets, and Houston Rockets' second-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. will be one of millions watching.

Smith has watched every post-season game since the Rockets' season ended on April 9. But instead of watching as a fan, Smith has used the playoffs as study sessions to help with his off-season preparations. 

He has spent the first half of the off-season training with his father in Atlanta by using boxing, on-court practicing and yoga.

"I’ve been working on my body a lot," Smith said. "I’ve been in the weight room, trying to get stronger, improve my body, gain weight, and be ready to take the bumps next year. I think when I get stronger, everything will come with it. Working on my ballhandling and consistent jump shot."

Each post-season game has been motivating to Smith. And Kevin Porter Jr. shares the same sentiment. Porter, who has been with the team since the start of Houston's rebuilding project, wants to turn the franchise into a winner during the 2023-24 season.

He has spent the first two months of the off-season working on his finishing touches around the rim. 

But Porter said he has also picked up the intensity when working on his durability. His goal is to have his body ready to sustain the wear and tear of an 82-game season while having the ability to play through April and May. 

"I’ve been watching the Finals, the whole playoffs," Porter said. "We want to be there next year. It's a dream. We are going to conquer it one day."

The Rockets' Company-Wide Day of Service At Freedmen's Town Friday morning marked the first time Porter and Smith spent time together this summer. The community event also marked the first time Smith met coach Ime Udoka since his hiring in late-April.

Smith is excited to have a chance to get to know and work alongside Udoka during the team's off-season workout programs. But Smith and Porter have faith in Udoka's ability to help turn the Rockets into a playoff-caliber team in 2024.

"Guys have been off for over a month now," Udoka said. "It’s a chance for our young guys to get back in the gym and use the past as motivation going forward."

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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