Rockets Season REVIEWS: Jabari Smith Jr. SOLID Year, But Can He EVER Become An ELITE 3-And-D Player?

Rockets Season REVIEWS: Jabari Smith Jr. SOLID Year, But Can He EVER Become An ELITE 3-And-D Player? Houston Rockets face pivotal questions about Jabari Smith Jr.'s future after a season of steady growth but lingering uncertainty. Can Smith evolve from a solid role player into an elite NBA asset, or is his ceiling already set? Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost SportsRadio 610’s Brandon Scott (@brandonkscott) break down Smith’s role as a stretch big, his three-point shooting struggles, and the critical importance of his defense and leadership as Houston reshapes its core. Key topics include Jabari Smith Jr.’s inconsistent outside shooting, the team’s reliance on him and Reed Sheppard for perimeter scoring, and how Smith compares to potential trade targets like Trey Murphy. The conversation spotlights Smith’s fit with key players like Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, as well as coach Ime Udoka’s switch-heavy defensive schemes. Will Smith unlock the next level of his game, or should the Rockets consider moving him for a better fit? #Rockets #NBA #JabariSmithJr Follow Brandon and The B-Block Podcast: https://x.com/brandonkscott & https://www.youtube.com/@b_block_podcast 📺 Subscribe On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LockedOnRockets 📲 Twitter: https://twitter.com/JTGatlin & https://twitter.com/LockedOnRockets 📲 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jtgatlin.bsky.social 🎧 Follow/Subscribe/Listen: Locked On Rockets Anywhere: https://linktr.ee/LockedOnRockets Locked On NBA Anywhere: https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA For your next listen, check out the Locked On NBA podcast, where the season never ends providing national expertise with a local perspective. Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day. Everydayer Club – If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGY – Ignite your taste buds with the flavor of the summer. Get a Firework Freeze 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot today. For more information, visit https://FiveHourEnergy.com.  Betterhelp – This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA. KALSHI – For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.   DoorDash – From tipoff to overtime, stay in your bag and order on DoorDash.  Get snacks, drinks, gear — whatever gets you through the season — delivered right to your door.  DoorDash. In your bag all season long. Quo – Make this the year where no opportunity - and no cutsomer - slips away. Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/lockedonnba. Indeed – Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Gametime – Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel – Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ