At Monday’s media day to kick off 2023-24 Houston Rockets training camp, forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason began what each hopes is a breakthrough second season as a professional.
Both Smith and Eason earned All-Rookie second-team honors last season, but they’re hopeful of brighter days ahead — especially after a brilliant run at the NBA’s 2023 summer league.
“Show what I’ve added to my game, show what I’ve learned,” Smith said of his goals for the season. “Be more confident and consistent. Confidence wise, swagger wise. Just a whole different player.”
Here’s a roundup of what we heard Houston’s talented sophomores at Monday’s media day from Toyota Center. Training camp begins Tuesday at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
“It’s important to try to make the city of Houston proud, get this city some wins, and get this fan base rocking again,” Eason said after a 2022-23 rookie season in which Houston finished at 22-60, tied for the worst record in the Western Conference.