ATLANTA — A star-studded crowd, including actor Michael B. Jordan, were at State Farm Arena to watch the Hawks and Houston Rockets open their 2022-23 NBA seasons on Wednesday night.
Known best for his roles in “Creed” and “Black Panther,” Jordan received a loud ovation when they put his image on the arena’s big screen. One rookie player, however, received a similar ovation when he was introduced with the rest of the visiting Rockets.
Georgia native Jabari Smith Jr., a rookie forward, had a cheering section that rivaled most of the hometown Hawks. Smith was selected by Houston with the No. 3 pick in the 2022 NBA draft after completing his freshman year at nearby Auburn University.
When asked how many family members and friends he had in attendance for his rookie debut after the game, Smith smiled and said, “I can’t even tell you, but it was a lot.”
He was also surprised when he found out Atlanta would be where he started his NBA career.
“I was kind of surprised and made a call to find out if that was really the schedule,” Smith said. “I had to really make sure it was real and then I just took a moment and thanked God because a lot of people don’t get to open up in their hometown. It was a blessing.”
The former SEC Freshman of the Year finished with 17 points and 7 rebounds, but believed he could have done more in Houston’s 117-107 loss to the Hawks.
“Oh my God, I got so many looks; I just didn’t knock them down,” said Smith, who played 33 minutes. “But I know that’s going to come. With me being a shooter, that’s not my first time missing shots. I’m not tripping about it at all. I saw the open shots and saw where they were coming from. It makes the game a little easier when I’ve got guards that make that pass, who believe in me.”
Former NBA player Jabari Smith Sr., got a chance to watch his son @jabarismithjr who was the third overall selection by the Rockets in the 2022 NBA Draft make his NBA debut in his home state of Georgia.
“I am proud of him,” Smith Sr. said. #LightTheFuse #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/hXqMNiho5r— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) October 20, 2022
One of Smith’s biggest fans by stature and status was former NBA player Jabari Smith Sr., who was on hand to support his son’s debut and also watch the game he loved playing when he was Jabari’s age.
“I thought he played well,” said Smith Sr. “It is a lot of great players who got drafted in the first round and lottery picks who have done better or worse. You can’t judge a kid by their first game. If you have watched Jabari from high school up to now (NBA), you understand he got better every game. So, I am proud of him. I am a dad tonight.”
Houston will be back in action Friday for its home opener at Toyota Center versus Memphis. The game is scheduled to tip at 7 p.m. Central.