Jabari · Jr.'s performance in pre-season has attracted a lot of attention, especially as the new season is about to begin. Despite his mood swings on the pitch and lack of attacking opportunities, there is reason to believe he can turn things around.
A scene from Smith Jr. in the preseason sparked discussion: after one of his layups was blocked, he looked rather frustrated and threw his hand angrily on the sidelines. That sentiment is a reflection of his struggles on the offensive end. As a starter, his offensive opportunities were occupied by other teammates, especially the performances of Green and Shin Kyung, which made his space compressed. Smith Jr. was the fifth point of attack in the starting lineup last season, averaging 35 minutes per game but not having enough offensive opportunities, which undoubtedly frustrated him.
At the moment, the situation for the Rockets is not promising. Some players on the team are facing early contract extensions, such as Shin Kyung and Green, who have tried their best in the preseason to get a better place in the regular season. This competitive environment has further reduced Smith's opportunities on the offensive end, causing his performance on the court to suffer.
In the preseason, the Rockets' main players typically only play two and a half quarters, which makes it more difficult for Smith Jr. to show what he's capable of. Still, as the regular season approaches, there is a chance that the team's tactics and role positioning will change to provide him with more opportunities.
The core issue the Rockets are facing right now is overall shooting efficiency. In each of the three preseason games, the team didn't shoot more than 35 percent from three-point range and shot ridiculously low from the free-throw line. This not only affected Smith Jr.'s performance, but also called into question the offensive system of the entire team. He shot 33.3 percent from three-point range against the Jazz, 31 percent from three-point range against the Thunder and 32.4 percent from three-point range against the Pelicans. He also shot only 51.9 percent from the free-throw line, which was clearly unacceptable.
Udoka, as the new head coach, must find a solution to the problem of inefficient shooting. It is imperative to adjust the tactics so that the players can better play to their strengths. Smith Jr. could revert to a simple defensive and shooting role in the regular season and gradually adapt to the team's system. If he doesn't perform as well as expected on the pitch, the coaching staff can also consider bringing other players on the pitch such as Ethan to increase competition and flexibility.
As long as Smith Jr. can stick with and adapt to the Rockets' fast system, his playing time and role will hopefully increase as the game progresses. The Rockets need his contribution on the defensive end, as well as staying calm on offense and finding the right shots. Despite the current challenges, the Rockets still have a chance to show better form in the new season as long as the tactics are adjusted properly.
Smith Jr.'s situation is not unsolvable, and the Rockets only need to make tactical adjustments to improve their overall shooting efficiency to lay a good foundation for the new season. With a more rational tactical arrangement and a clear role positioning, the team has the opportunity to break through in the regular season and move towards the goal of the playoffs. In the end, the success of the Rockets depends not only on the performance of Smith Jr., but also on the joint efforts of the whole team.