Kevin Durant Lauds Jabari Smith’s Small-Ball Expertise
It was a week filled with intrigue for Houston Rockets fans, marked by superstar Kevin Durant’s public embrace of the team’s “small ball” lineup, despite earlier social media controversies involving comments about teammate Jabari Smith Jr. In the wake of Durant’s offensive showcase against the Charlotte Hornets—where he scored 35 points on 14-of-20 shooting—he shed light on the effectiveness of Houston’s small-ball strategy. But, is this praise genuine, pointing to a strong strategy, or merely a way to smooth over tensions?
Deciphering Durant’s Praise for Jabari Smith’s Small Ball
In the Rockets’ 105-101 victory over the Hornets, Durant openly celebrated the success of a small ball approach, emphasizing the role of Jabari Smith Jr. This raised eyebrows, particularly given the apparent friction hinted at by alleged comments from a Durant “burner” account. Was this an olive branch to Smith or a veiled critique of the more traditional post presence in Alperen Sengun?
The small ball strategy that Durant referenced solidifies the crucial frontcourt partnership between him and Smith. Currently, Houston boasts three of the NBA’s top five player duos in terms of minutes played: Smith and Amen Thompson (1,455 minutes), Durant and Thompson (1,419 minutes), and Durant and Smith (1,413 minutes). This tandem leads the team with a staggering +193 plus/minus, pointing to their significant on-court synergy.
Statistical Insights: The Durant-Smith Dynamic
| Lineup | Plus/Minus per 36 Minutes | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|
| Durant & Smith | +4.9 | 1,413 |
| Durant, Smith & Adams | +10.7 | 375 |
| Durant, Smith & Sengun | +4.3 | 913 |
| Durant, Smith & Capela | -0.8 | 143 |
This data reveals that while the duo excels in a small ball context, their effectiveness fluctuates when paired with a traditional center. Notably, the plus/minus drops significantly without the presence of a center, casting doubt on Houston’s ability to thrive consistently in a solely small ball format.
Evaluating Small Ball Performance Against Charlotte
During the pivotal Charlotte game, the most effective small ball lineup still managed a -1 rating overall. The effectiveness of small ball was particularly noted during an impressive turnaround in the second quarter, where the lineup—consisting of Durant, Smith, alongside Dorian Finney-Smith, Jae’Sean Tate, and Tari Eason—turned a deficit into a lead. However, post-game analysis revealed mixed success, complicating the narrative of small ball as a foolproof solution.
The Future of Small Ball in Houston
Despite reservations about its effectiveness, Durant’s enthusiasm suggests a shift in Houston’s tactical approach could be on the horizon. With the Rockets now in a favorable positioning to experiment post-All-Star break, the critical challenge lies in balancing the high-risk high-reward nature of small ball against traditional lineups that have mostly served them well.
Projected Outcomes
- Increased Small Ball Lineups: Expect Houston to deploy small ball strategies more frequently, especially as player chemistry solidifies.
- Potential Trade Discussions: If small ball proves successful, the Rockets may explore trading a center to deepen their small ball rotation.
- Pivotal Games Ahead: The team faces a series of critical matchups that will test the viability of this strategy, shaping their playoff positioning.
In summation, while Durant’s commendations of Jabari Smith Jr. and the small ball lineup may have sparked debate, they also reflect a potential turning point for the Rockets. With various factors at play, only time will reveal how this dynamic unfolds as Houston seeks to redefine its identity in the remainder of the season.
