Top rookie Jabari Smith Jr. hasn’t shot well early in summer league, shooting 31.0% through two games in Las Vegas. But he’s clearly made an impact for the Houston Rockets with defense, rebounding, and floor spacing, and that played a key role in Saturday’s win over Oklahoma City.
As general manager Rafael Stone sees things, that’s perfectly fine. After all, Smith has a long track record of shooting success, and his efficiency numbers on jump shots should come around as the sample size grows.
But it’s also a useful case study in keeping focused on the bigger picture. In a mid-game interview with ESPN on Saturday, Stone explained:
