Jalen Green #4 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball at the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 14, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Andy Lyons / Getty Images / AFP
MANILA, Philippines — Houston Rockets star Jalen Green is gearing up for the new NBA season and shares the stage with critically acclaimed draft pick Jabari Smith Jr.
Smith was picked by the Rockets for the third time after Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic and Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2022 draft four months ago.
The 6-foot-11 forward is expected to be a key part of the young Rockets alongside Green and Kevin Porter Jr., who have just signed a four-year contract extension.
“I am very excited to play with him (Smith). Young men will become super good. He’s super talented. He made an impact on our team from day one when he joined,” Green said during an online roundtable with Philippine media on Tuesday (Manila time).
“It will be interesting to just see how their process goes and we will be there for them too. We want to win games, they will impact the game a lot and he will help us a lot,” said Fil-American Green, who recently traveled to the Philippines for a promotional event in September. 8 years ago.
Jabari Smith Jr. Houston Rockets’ #1 holds the ball while San Antonio Spurs’ Tre Jones #33 defends during a game at Toyota Center on October 2, 2022 in Houston, Texas. Alex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images / AFP
The 19-year-old Smith performed well on his pre-season debut against the Rockets in a win over the San Antonio Spurs on October 2, picking up 21 points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes. He shot 5/8 from long range in the win.
Smith, however, missed the rest of the season before injuring his ankle in practice.
He was a star at Auburn, where he averaged 16.9 points shooting 42% from the 3-point area. He also hit 7.4 rebounds and one block per game in his only season with the Tigers.
The addition of Smith fills the Rockets with potential.
But as part of one of the youngest teams in the league, Green is softening his expectations as he enters the season, which ends on Wednesday. The Rockets, who finished the worst in the league last season with a score of 20-62, opened the new season in Atlanta on Thursday.
“Everybody knows we are a super young team. We are not expected to win many games. I think we have a lot of young talent and a lot of boys who want to win on my team right now. We were all bought in, which is different this year. “
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