Jabari Smith Jr.

A step or two ahead in his responsibility of tagging the Minnesota Timberwolves’ pick-and-roll from the weak side, Jabari Smith Jr. made certain to bring some strength and muscle along with him. Monitoring the whereabouts of Minnesota’s All-Star pairing and their two-man game from the right block, Smith rotates over, giving Rudy Gobert a taste of his own medicine by sending his dunk attempt in the opposite path. Subtle in the frown-and-flex that followed his eye-opening defensive play, Smith left even the Target Center’s road crowd in a somewhat-celebratory awe, as he helped the Houston Rockets maintain grip on an early-quarter double-digit advantage. Following his example, the Houston Rockets collected 21 “stocks,” — steals plus blocks — to help slingshot them in victory’s path on November 26, 2024. Heroic in helping the red-and-white clinch the NBA Cup’s West Group A, Smith turned in one of his young career’s premier two-way showings, pouring in 19 points (on eight-of-nine shooting), seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and three 3-pointers.