Houston Rockets assistant coach John Lucas worked with eventual Hall of Fame center David Robinson in San Antonio, and he sees similarities in the approach of Jabari Smith Jr., even as a rookie.
Lucas met with media members at Tuesday’s practice since head coach Stephen Silas was absent due to the league’s health and safety protocol. As part of his interview, Lucas was asked about Smith after his excellent preseason debut on Sunday, and his answer did not disappoint.
Courtesy of Jackson Gatlin, Lucas told reporters:
He’s scratching the surface. I think he has a chance to be really good, because one of the things he can do already is shoot, and that helps our spacing on the floor. He is an elite defender, already.
He reminds me of a guy I coached before, David Robinson. He has that kind of demeanor and leadership about him.
Lucas was head coach of the Spurs from 1992 to 1994, which is when Robinson was in regular All-Star and MVP contending form. His full post-practice interview from Tuesday can be viewed below.
Smith and the Rockets will resume their exhibition slate when Toronto visits Toyota Center on Friday. The tip is at 7 p.m. Central.
“He’s a perfect complement to our team,” Lucas said of Smith. “He’s done a lot of good, positive things. The one thing in doing research on him and talking with his coaches, he likes to work. And he’s got a nasty streak in him that comes across.”
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