Tag: John Lucas II

Ime Udoka pleased by Rockets’ offseason progress, assistant coaching search

“I had to wait and be patient on some things,” Ime Udoka says of Houston’s assistant coaching search. “I talked to a lot of high-level candidates. We have some commitments.” #Rockets

With the 2023 NBA draft less than three weeks away, the Houston Rockets will soon have some decisions to make.

Will they keep the No. 4 selection in the first round, or will they trade it? If they keep it, who will they pick?

Those questions will soon require answers from general manager Rafael Stone, but head coach Ime Udoka will have some input. On Thursday, Udoka took time at Minute Maid Park to give an early assessment of what he has seen from players currently on the roster.

“They’re more impressive than I already knew,” Udoka said of his young core before throwing out a ceremonial first pitch at the Astros’ game. “Obviously, with the interview process, I got to dig in a little bit as far as that, and the guys are really an impressive group.”

Houston hired Udoka on April 26 after former head coach Stephen Silas’ contract was not extended at the end of Houston’s 2022-23 regular season. He met with starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. after his introductory press conference and has had an opportunity to meet with other players during the pre-draft preparation period.

“It’s been great,” Udoka said when asked about the offseason work his players are doing. “I was down in Los Angeles with a lot of those guys, so we had some lunches. I went to the gym and saw Jalen’s (Green) workout. So, it is great that they want to get after it so soon. Obviously, we have been done for over a month now, so for these young guys, it is time to get back in the gym.”

Between preparing for the draft and evaluating players, Udoka has also been busy putting together a coaching staff for the upcoming season. Several names are reportedly joining the Rockets, including at least three from Udoka’s former staff with the Celtics, but none has been confirmed.

“It is going good,” Udoka said. “I had to wait and be patient on some things. I talked to a lot of high-level candidates. We have some commitments, and then, obviously, with some of the guys I brought to Boston, with them finishing up now, I can move along in the process and hopefully bring some of them here, as well.”

Udoka was also asked if lead assistant John Lucas would remain with the staff, but he declined to answer. Lucas is conducting pre-draft workouts for Houston.

“We’re considering everything,” Udoka said. “I’m looking at the guys that were already here as well as trying to bring some other guys, so we’ll figure that out as time goes.”

Udoka has yet to have much time to get acclimated to being in Houston. But he said he plans to, once the draft is complete.

“For the most part, I have been taking my time,” Udoka said about seeing what the city offers. “I plan to get out and about in the next few weeks.”

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Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. is his toughest critic during shooting slump

“I’m a shooter, and they’re not going in right now,” #Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. says of his shooting slump. “It’s hard, because I’m my toughest critic.”

HOUSTON — Being a top-five overall selection in the annual NBA draft comes with a lot of pressure. Most times, those players are selected by a team in a rebuilding phase coming off a terrible season that landed them in the lottery.

Fans of the team hope adding a player of top-five quality and magnitude will immediately make their team ready to compete against the teams that made deep runs in the playoffs the previous season.

Unfortunately, it often doesn’t work that way. It takes time for a player to adapt to the playing style of the NBA. You cannot rush the process. If a player tries to do that, he will add stress onto himself, which will also hinder his developmental process.

That is what 19-year-old Houston Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. is going through right now, as he tries to figure out his role on a team with four starters under age 23.

Houston selected him with the third pick in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft after witnessing his stellar one-year performance at Auburn University. His offensive skills included a lethal jump shot for a player of his height (6-foot-11), while his ability to guard any position on the defensive end stood out to many.

Yet, like his teammate Jalen Green, whom the Rockets selected with the second pick in the 2021 NBA draft, Smith has struggled to find where he belongs through the first 50 games of his professional career.

“You are not going to make every shot,” Rockets assistant coach John Lucas said of his advice to Smith. “He is shooting every shot like he’s got the weight of the world on him.”

Smith is averaging 11.9 points and 7 rebounds per game, which are fair numbers for a rookie still getting acclimated to the NBA, but they are different from where he wants or expects to be.

One thing that has constantly been on his mind is his inability to consistently make shots from 3-point range. That was one of his strengths in one season at Auburn, where Smith shot 42% from deep.

In 12 games played in January, Smith is shooting 17% (9-for-53) from beyond the arc and is 1-for-16 over his last five starts.

“I would say (I’m feeling) just pressure, knowing that I’m a shooter and they’re not going in right now,” Smith said after taking extra shots with Rockets assistant coach Rick Higgins. “It’s kind of frustrating, but you know, trying to keep that pressure off. It’s hard, because I’m my toughest critic. So, it’s just hard sometimes.”

One lesson the Rockets coaching staff has been teaching Smith is to use his other abilities as he works on getting his shooting touch back. On Saturday, Smith’s hustle and lockdown ability on defense helped Houston secure a victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Smith finished with 12 rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals. His defensive stop on Pistons guard Alec Burks caused a jump ball with 20.6 seconds left in the game and the Rockets leading by one point. That play prompted his teammates to erupt off the bench.

“The shot wasn’t falling, but just trying to cover for my teammates,” said Smith. “Do the little things like defense, rebound and defend. “Just trying to help to impact the game in other ways.”

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Rockets’ effort, energy from Detroit win carries over into Monday’s practice

“We competed today, so whenever we have competitive practices, it gets to be ugly,” said John Lucas II, acting head coach for the #Rockets in the absence of Stephen Silas.

HOUSTON — As the Rockets were wrapping up practice on Monday at Toyota Center, you could hear the competitive back-and-forth of players going at each other. Although the precise words were inaudible from where the media was waiting for practice to conclude, you could feel the energy radiate to the area.

Once reporters were allowed in, it seemed as if the players had just finished playing someone other than their teammates. It was a passionate, competitive carryover from the way the Rockets finished Saturday’s fourth quarter in their 117-114 victory at Detroit.

“We competed today, so whenever we have competitive practices, it gets to be ugly,” said acting head coach John Lucas II. “But it is all love. That is the only way we can get better because we don’t have veteran players to help teach us. So, how do you win? Effort and energy. If we learn to play at that effort and energy all of the time, it helps us. We go to play hard. Playing hard makes up for lack of knowledge.”

The Rockets were without their three leading scorers, Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, and Alperen Sengun, when they faced the Pistons. They were also missing their head coach, Stephen Silas, who was attending a memorial service for his father, Paul Silas.

After falling behind double digits on multiple occasions, Houston used the efforts of unsung heroes to get itself back into the game before eventually securing its 12th win on the season.

“People,” Lucas said when asked how the Rockets (12-38) can duplicate their hustle and effort from Saturday. “We have to continue to have people play hard. It was a good win for us, and I think it will help the guys who have not been featured a lot this year.”

“KJ (Martin), Tari (Eason), (Daishen), Nix, you know they have been beaten up on, rather than praised. So hopefully, this gives them extra confidence. And Uz (Usman Garuba). What about Uz? Two threes (3-pointers) out of the corner, I went, ‘Oh no, oh no. Great shot, Uz.’ He hit two of those that kept us going.”

Silas is expected to be back on the bench for the Rockets when they host Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Houston is also expected to have Sengun (non-COVID-19 illness) back, as well.

Coach Lucas could not confirm if Porter or Green would play, but he said their rehabilitation process is going very well.

“Alperen practiced today, he looks good, and he’s ready to go,” Lucas said at Monday’s practice. “Jalen is progressing nicely. We don’t know the time frame, but he’s doing well.”

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Moving forward: Short-handed Rockets defeat Pistons behind KJ Martin, Tari Eason

“All I needed was time and opportunity to showcase what I could do,” Tari Eason said. “Tonight showed that a lot of guys in here are going to keep fighting.” #Rockets

The Houston Rockets faced a mountain of adversity as they stepped inside the Little Caesars Arena to play the Detroit Pistons.

They knew for a while they would be without head coach Stephen Silas due to his attendance at a memorial service for his father, Paul Silas, who passed away approximately six weeks ago. It was also clear the Rockets would be without starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr., who suffered a foot injury earlier this month.

They were not, however, expecting to take the court without their two leading scorers, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, however. Both were ruled out before the game, with Green suffering from a right calf contusion and Sengun sidelined by a non-COVID illness.

Down three starters and a coach would make even the NBA’s best teams wonder if they could win under those circumstances. Yet, the young Rockets, led by Eric Gordon’s season-high 24 points, rallied late in the fourth quarter to defeat Detroit, 117-114 (box score).

“Ninety-five percent of it was about effort and hustle,” said John Lucas II, who filled the head coach’s role in Silas’ absence.

Lucas could have been talking about the ferocity that Gordon played with, or the tenacity shown by Jabari Smith Jr., Jae’Sean Tate, Josh Christopher and Usman Garuba throughout the game. In the back of his mind, though, all he could see was the consistent play displayed by young forwards KJ Martin and Tari Eason.

Eason’s strong early play helped the Rockets overcome some rough spots on Saturday. His 10 first-half points and 7 rebounds helped Houston take a 59-57 lead into halftime after trailing most of the way.

Eason finished with the third double-double of his career, collecting 16 points and 10 rebounds in Detroit. Eason has now scored 10-plus points in four of the last five games he has played.

“I know basketball is a game of runs,” Eason said postgame after defeating the Pistons. “All I needed was time and opportunity just to showcase what I could do. You can go one of two ways. You can give up or you can keep fighting. Tonight showed that a lot of guys in here, including myself, are going to keep fighting.”

“Keep fighting” also appeared to be the mantra that teammate Martin had stuck in his mind against the Pistons.

Starting his ninth straight game, Martin’s late-game heroics — along with 15 points and 13 rebounds — helped Houston (12-36) secure its second win in four games after a brutal 13-game losing streak.

For Martin, it was his second double-double in Houston’s last three games. During those nine starts, he is averaging 13.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 70.2% from the field.

With Houston trailing Detroit, 112-109, with 38.5 seconds left to play, Lucas seemingly called the perfect play for Martin. Knowing most of the focus would be on Gordon with the ball in his hands, Martin faked a screen and slipped to the basket, where Gordon hit him in stride. He was fouled at the rim as the shot fell.

Martin missed the free throw, but Tate retrieved the missed shot. After his shot attempt failed, Martin followed the ball for an easy putback, giving the Rockets a 113-112 lead.

“I felt like once we got stops and our offense got going, the game opened up,” Martin said in his on-court interview postgame.

Houston will now have three days off before taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night at Toyota Center.

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Stephen Silas hands over coaching duties versus Pistons to attend late father’s memorial

“It’s gonna be emotional,” Stephen Silas says of his father’s memorial, which will cause him to miss Saturday’s #Rockets game. “There’s not a playbook for grieving.”

One month ago, Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas received news that no child ever wants to hear. His father and best friend, NBA player and coach Paul Silas, 79, had passed away from cardiac arrest at his home in North Carolina.

Coach Silas stepped away briefly to help his family process the loss and returned after missing one game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

On Saturday, he will be absent from the bench against the Detroit Pistons to attend his father’s memorial service. Assistant coach John Lucas II will coach the team in Silas’ absence.

“It’s going to be emotional,” Silas told reporters earlier in the week in Houston. “I’ve been in this whirlwind that we’ve had, as far as the season is concerned, and I haven’t had to kind of deal with it recently. It is going to be great to see a bunch of people I haven’t seen in a long time. A bunch of people who played for my dad, or my dad played with.

“There’s not a playbook for grieving. So, you just do the best you can and take the moments that you need. And this is a job for me, and I spend a lot of time doing my best at this job, whether it’s preparing, practicing or games, but there are times outside of this game that I think about it a lot. I miss him.”

The elder Silas was selected in the second round of the 1964 NBA draft by the St. Louis Hawks. Ten years later, he won his first of three NBA championships as a member of the Boston Celtics and Seattle Supersonics. During his 16-year career, he made the All-Defensive team five times.

After he retired from the NBA in 1980, Paul began his coaching career with the San Diego Clippers, serving as head coach until 1983. He took a five-year hiatus before coming back to coaching as an assistant and ultimately working his way back into a head coaching position in 2013 to finish his career.

Stephen Silas began his journey in the NBA as an advance scout before working his way up to being an assistant coach in 2000 under his father, who was head coach of the Charlotte Hornets at the time.

“This (coaching) is something that he really wanted to do, and I wanted him to do it,” Paul Silas had said regarding his son during an interview in Charlotte during the 2000-01 season. “He understands that I am still dad, but in a working relationship, I am coach.”

In 2021, the Houston Rockets produced the documentary “Ready to Lead,” which was based on the journey Stephen took to becoming a head coach in the NBA. Silas recalled his first job with the Hornets, which involved working for his father.

“My dad, obviously, he was my No. 1 mentor, someone whom I could lean on, ask questions, and he asked questions of me,” Silas said. “He really valued my opinion, which was kind of weird to me, me being so young and not having much experience, but he would lean on me.”

Silas will be back in time for his team to prepare for its next game versus Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Toyota Center.

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Rockets coach John Lucas loves clutch scoring, impeccable defense by Jalen Green

“I think Jalen had one of his finest games,” John Lucas says of Jalen Green. “He made his free throws. He attacked. What is even funnier was that his defense was impeccable.” #Rockets

HOUSTON — Rockets guard Jalen Green was unhappy after Thursday’s 118-109 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, a team that had lost 11 consecutive games and was not playing good basketball in recent weeks.

Green and his teammates came into that game after a dramatic double-overtime win over the Philadelphia 76ers, and there may have been something of an emotional letdown.

Green took that loss to the Spurs to heart because he was not nearly as effective as he needed to be, scoring just 14 points on 5-of-17 shooting (29.4%) from the field.

“I know we could have played a lot better, including myself,” a dejected Green said in the visiting locker room in San Antonio.

Three nights later, Green bounced back with one of his best performances of the 2022-23 season, scoring 12 of his game-high 30 points in the fourth quarter as Houston defeated Milwaukee, 97-92. It was his sixth 30-point game this season and third in nine games.

“I just know that my team depends on me in situations like that,” Green said of Sunday’s fourth-quarter outburst, which included three free throws in the game’s final minute to break open what had been a tie score. “All that hard work I put in is paying off.”

The win was an emotional one for the Rockets, who played without head coach Stephen Silas following the death of his father, Paul Silas, a former NBA player and head coach. Assistant coach John Lucas is filling in as acting head coach and liked the overall effort by his team on Sunday night, and particularly Green’s play.

“I think Jalen had one of his finest games,” Lucas said postgame of Green, who also tied his season-high with 7 rebounds on Sunday night versus the Bucks. “He made his free throws. He attacked. What is even funnier was that his defense was impeccable.”

In this season’s eight wins for the Rockets (8-18), Green is averaging 27.6 points on 50.7% shooting, and he has been instrumental in Houston’s current four-game winning streak at Toyota Center.

“There is nothing like being at home,” a smiling Green said postgame. “I just feel comfortable being at home.”

In Game 2 of a season-long homestand of seven games, Green and the Rockets hope to build on that momentum when Phoenix visits Toyota Center on Tuesday. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.

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Bruno Fernando feeling great, excited to finally rejoin Rockets

“I feel great,” says #Rockets center Bruno Fernando, who returned to Houston’s starting lineup on Friday. “It has been a long time coming, but I feel good.”

HOUSTON — Things were going great for Rockets center Bruno Fernando to begin the NBA’s 2022-23 NBA regular season. He was considered the odd man out heading into training camp with second-year players Alperen Sengun and Usman Garuba set to take over the minutes available with the departure of former center Christian Wood who was traded to Dallas in the offseason.

Yet, he overcame those odds and did what he does best, proving that he belongs on an NBA roster. So, when training camp began, Fernando did everything he needed to show Rockets head coach Stephen Silas that he deserved to be on the court and proved to management that he was worthy of being signed to a contract.

Both things happened to Fernando. Houston signed him to a four-year, $10.9 million contract before the season started, and when the Rockets took the floor against the Atlanta Hawks for their first regular-season game, he heard his name called as the starting center.

Things were going well for Fernando as he finished with 7 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He brought the energy and defense the team needed, even though they lost to the Hawks that night.

His first game was something Houston could build off of and have a one-two punch at center with Fernando and Sengun, but in his second game of action against the Memphis Grizzlies, Fernando went down in the first half with a left knee injury. He missed the next 15 games, but after going through an extensive rehabilitation regimen with assistant coach John Lucas, Fernando is ready to get back on the court.

“I feel great,” Fernando said on Wednesday after practice. “It has been a long time coming but I feel good.”

Even though he has not been given a definite answer on when he will return to the lineup, Fernando is optimistic that it could be very soon.

“Hopefully soon,” Fernando said when asked about his return. “I feel like it has kind of already happened, since I am practicing. I have no idea. I guess that is something that they are going to talk to me about today or tomorrow.”

Suppose Fernando does return on Friday against the Atlanta Hawks. In that case, he won’t be returning to his starting position, as he will be on a minutes restriction and considering the play of Sengun, who is averaging 14.8 points and 8.5 rebounds as the starter.

The backup minutes are also being dominated by Garuba, who has brought the same defense and energy that Fernando does.

One way that Silas could utilize the skill sets of all three of his big men is to have two on the court together in spurts during the game, which Fernando welcomes.

“We will be able to work with each other,” Fernando said regarding the possibility of playing with another center on the court. “Al-P (Sengun) does a good job of setting screens and popping and for me to be another big out there that set the screen and rolls to the rim and brings the different scene, that is going to open a lot more space for our shooters on the court. Usman has been shooting the ball really well. It would open up the court for our guards and shooters.”

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‘I missed them’: Stephen Silas rejoins Rockets after extended absence

“I told the guys the hardest part was not seeing them and not being around them,” #Rockets coach Stephen Silas said upon rejoining the team and exiting health and safety protocols.

HOUSTON — The Rockets welcomed back a familiar person at Wednesday’s practice, and it was a voice they had missed hearing. Head coach Stephen Silas conducted practice for the first time in more than a week after testing positive for COVID-19 and entering the NBA’s health and safety protocol.

“COVID is no joke,” said Silas to the media. “It wasn’t the greatest experience going through it, but I feel good now.”

During his absence, assistant coach John Lucas II took over lead duties and led the team to a 1-1 record in the two preseason games versus Toronto and Miami. Even though Silas was not physically around the team, he kept in constant contact with Lucas and other assistants to let them know he was OK and recovering well.

“Lucas has been here, (he’s) done that more than me,” Silas said of Lucas, who was previously a head coach with three other NBA teams. “The way he is with the guys, the communication that he has, the responsibility that he has on a daily basis, even when I’m here … I’m completely comfortable with him taking over the reins.”

During his conversations with Lucas, some practice and game planning took place, but his main objective was to make sure the coaching staff ⁠— along with the team ⁠— knew Silas was battling through the adversity.

Even though he always has an upbeat demeanor, Silas confessed to the media that his mood was not the greatest during his 10 days of isolation. Despite a (joking) suggestion from Lucas, Silas said he did not map out game plans for the Rockets through December.

“I was stressed out about my numbers,” Silas said about not meeting testing requirements to get out of the NBA’s COVID-19 protocol early. “I couldn’t pass the test, and I was mad that I couldn’t pass the test, which was completely out of my control.”

“The first few days, I was just angry,” Silas elaborated. “Afterward, I can’t control what the tests are going to say, I can’t watch every ounce of film every single day. I can watch something on Netflix, take it easy, relax a little bit. I didn’t do what Lucas said about planning every single day, but for a couple of days, I did.”

With a team full of players young enough to be his kids, Silas has developed a special bond with them, both on and off the court. The players speak highly of him, knowing he has their best interests at heart. That is why going through COVID-19 in the preseason was so difficult: He knew he was missing developmental time.

“I told the guys that the hardest part was not seeing them and not being around them,” a smiling Silas told reporters. “The practices, it is what it is, the drills and the games and stuff. But just being around these guys, they’re such a fun group. I missed them.”

Houston will have one more practice at Toyota Center before they head to Indiana for Friday’s final preseason game.

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John Lucas on Rockets rookie Tari Eason: ‘Better Dennis Rodman’

John Lucas on #Rockets rookie Tari Eason: “He is a prime example of a better Dennis Rodman. You don’t have to run plays for him.” Jalen Green adds: “He’s a dog.”

HOUSTON — It’s hard to describe how this has happened with just two exhibition games played. Still, Rockets rookie forward Tari Eason is making media members, as well as his fellow players and coaches, run out of adjectives for how well he has played. And Houston still has two more preseason and 82 regular-season games left.

Eason, 21, led all scorers with 24 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 25 minutes of work in the Rockets’ 116-100 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night at Toyota Center. His performance was duly noted by Houston assistant coach John Lucas II, who has taken over the head coaching duties while Stephen Silas is in the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocol.

“Second night, not one play, not many plays (called for Eason), another 24 and nine,” Lucas said. “He missed the 3 and got the ball right back and laid it back up. Big momentum for us. I was on him early because he looks like he gets in a daze, but he’s really focused.”

The praises for the former 2021 Southeastern Conference Sixth Man of the Year did not stop there. In the same week he compared rookie Jabari Smith Jr. to San Antonio legend David Robinson, Lucas tossed out another one-time Spurs comparison for Eason.

“He is a prime example of a better Dennis Rodman,” said Lucas, whose first NBA head coaching job was with the Spurs in the early 1990s. “That is a good fit for him. I have been trying to see who he plays like. You don’t have to run plays for him, but you can pencil in 16 to 18 points for him, and he is getting better. He is crashing the offensive glass. He is running the floor and getting steals.”

For those who have had the opportunity to be around Eason, you can tell that he is a basketball savant who studies the league, both past and present. So, it was no surprise he knew everything Rodman brought to the court every night during his 15 years in the NBA.

“That’s a super, super big honor to be compared to a legend, a Hall of Famer, someone like Dennis Rodman,” said Eason, who is averaging 22.5 points and 9 rebounds per game in the preseason. “Obviously, we both have a knack for finding the ball, playing defense, and bringing high energy. Any time you’re in talks with someone like that, it’s super, super special.”

One player who clearly recognizes that energy while feeding off it on the court is Eason’s teammate and 2021-22 NBA All-Rookie first-team selection, Jalen Green.

“We were just talking about that on the bench,” Green said in referencing a conversation (about Eason) with backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr. “He’s a dog. He is giving us multiple efforts offensively and defensively. He just brings energy. That’s going to be super big for our team going into the season.”

Houston (2-0) is holding an open practice with fans on Saturday at Toyota Center before heading to Miami to play the Heat (2-1) in Monday’s third preseason game. Tipoff is at 6:30 p.m. Central.

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Rockets see Jabari Smith Jr. as ‘just scratching the surface’ of his potential

#Rockets assistant coach John Lucas on Jabari Smith Jr.: “He is just scratching the surface. I think he has a chance to really be good. Jabari knows how to play.”

HOUSTON — The  Rockets resumed practice on Tuesday, preparing for their second preseason game on Friday versus Toronto. Assistant coach John Lucas II was called upon to lead practice after head coach Stephen Silas entered the NBA’s health and safety protocol following Sunday’s emphatic 134-96 victory over San Antonio.

Even though Silas’ voice wasn’t heard, the game plan he had been implementing since training camp began was followed by Lucas and the rest of the coaching staff.

“Obviously we miss him because he’s our leader for what we do,” Lucas told reporters. “We just got through practice today, followed his game plan. Going to talk to him about what he wants us to do tomorrow. And we just keep building. We have a system in place, we have a good staff, and we just build with what we have.”

One of those building blocks is rookie Jabari Smith Jr., who the Rockets selected with the No. 3 pick in the 2022 NBA draft.

“He is just scratching the surface,” Lucas said about Smith’s first preseason game performance. “He has a chance to really be good, because one of the things he can do already is shoot and that helps our spacing on the floor, and he is an elite defender.”

Smith finished Sunday’s game with a game-high 21 points, but his 5-of-8 shooting (62.5%) from 3-point range particularly impressed the Rockets’ coaching staff.

“My teammates made it easy for me by finding me when I was open,” Smith told reporters after the game. “Coming into the game, I was looser than in summer league. I didn’t have all the jitters, and my teammates helped me with that.”

Smith’s work ethic has been noticed by his teammates and Lucas, who raved about how much time the rookie puts into honing his craft. It was a trait that former coaches from Smith’s past raved about when talking about the 6-foot-11 forward out of Auburn University.

“In doing research on him before the draft and talking to his coaches, including his AAU coach, they all said the same thing, and that is he likes to work,” Lucas said.

If anyone knew just how much Smith takes pride in becoming one of the best players in the NBA, it would be Lucas, who has consistently worked with Smith on making his shot better since the summer.

“Jabari has really improved his shooting,” said Lucas, who would put Smith through drills at 6 a.m. during the summer. “He has gotten his feet under him and managed to do better. I watched him in summer league and thought that his shot was too slow, and he has really picked it up. But more importantly, Jabari knows how to play.”

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