Tag: Tari Eason

Takeaways: Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr. extend double-double runs as Rockets end summer league

The Rockets wrapped up 2022 summer league play with Saturday’s 92-81 loss to Sacramento. Tari Eason (19/10) and Jabari Smith Jr. (12/12) each had double doubles for Houston.

The Rockets (2-3) wrapped up 2022 NBA summer league play in Las Vegas with Saturday night’s 92-81 loss (box score) to the Sacramento Kings (3-2). Tari Eason, the No. 17 overall pick in the first round out of LSU, led the way for Houston with 19 points and 10 rebounds, including 7-of-14 shooting (50.0%) and 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%).

For Eason, it was his fourth outing in five summer league games to record a double double. Top rookie Jabari Smith Jr. added a double double of his own with 12 points and 12 rebounds, though he shot just 4-of-15 from the field (26.7%) and 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25.0%).

Rockets backcourt mates TyTy Washington (15 points, 4 assists) and Daishen Nix (14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals) had very similar statistics lines, with each shooting 6-of-14 from the field (42.9%). Second-year guard Josh Christopher, who was Houston’s top summer scorer on a per-game basis, remained sidelined by right hip soreness.

The Kings were led by Jeriah Horne, who scored 20 points off the bench on 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%) and 2-of-4 from 3-point range (50.0%).

Here’s a look at Saturday’s highlights and immediate reaction by Rockets players, coaches, media members, and fans.

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Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr. earns first double-double in loss to Portland

Jabari Smith Jr. (19/10) had his best statistical game yet, but the Rockets struggled from 3-point range in Thursday’s summer league loss to Portland, making just 7-of-38 (18.4%).

Prized rookie Jabari Smith Jr. continued his run of strong summer league play with 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Houston Rockets, but it wasn’t enough to offset a cold shooting night for the team in Thursday’s 80-72 (box score) loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in Las Vegas.

The Rockets were short-handed on offense after shutting down leading scorer Josh Christopher (right hip soreness), and it showed with just 47 points over the final three quarters of Thursday’s game, combined. Houston made just 7-of-38 shots from behind the 3-point arc (18.4%).

Smith connected on 7-of-13 shots overall (53.8%), though he was 7-of-8 on two-point shots (87.5%) and 0-of-5 on 3-pointers. Fellow rookie Tari Eason had 17 points and 7 rebounds, though he shot just 7-of-19 (36.8%). With Christopher out, the new starting backcourt of Daishen Nix and TyTy Washington combined to shoot just 6-of-19 (31.6%).

In defeating Houston (2-2), the Trail Blazers (3-1) were led by 23 points from second-year guard Keon Johnson, who shot 8-of-13 from the field (61.5%) and made 4-of-8 from 3-point range (50.0%).

We’ll have more coverage in the days ahead as the Rockets gear up for a final summer league game on Saturday night (schedule) versus the Sacramento Kings. For now, here’s a look at Thursday’s highlights and immediate reaction by players, coaches, media members, and fans.

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Led by Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets rookies showing out in summer league

Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason each showed out on Monday and continued a strong run in Las Vegas with the Rockets.

Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason on Monday each showed out to lead the Houston Rockets to a win over the San Antonio Spurs in the Las Vegas Summer League.

Smith, the third overall pick, produced 19 points, nine rebounds, two steals, one assist and one blocked shot in the 97-84 win. He went 6-of-12 from the field, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range, in 28 minutes while tying a team-high of plus-23 on the court.

Eason finished with a game-high 22 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks for his third-straight double-double in Las Vegas. The No. 17 pick shot 9-of-16 from the field with two 3-pointers for his most efficient game of summer league.

Smith had his best game of the Rockets’ stint in Las Vegas on Monday. He hit the glass hard and displayed his ability to switch and guard smaller players throughout the contest. He has improved in each game as he looks to get more comfortable on the court.

Meanwhile, Eason continued his strong run with yet another double-double effort. He leads all players in that category and in rebounding through three games. He pushed the break on numerous occasions and had success finishing around the basket.

While Smith and Eason each had strong performances, TyTy Washington Jr. added eight points, four assists, three steals and two rebounds in 24 minutes of work. The 29th pick excelled in the open court and had some nice finishes, including a teardrop floater in the third quarter.

Certainly, the Rockets should be pleased with the showing from each of their rookies. With second-year players Josh Christopher (18 points) and Daishen Nix (18 points) also performing well, Houston appears to have some formidable pieces to build around.

The Rockets return to action on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. EDT.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr. breaks out, Tari Eason keeps rolling as Rockets blast Spurs

Rookie prospects Jabari Smith Jr. (19/9) and Tari Eason (22/11) were two-way standouts against the Spurs, leading the summer Rockets to a big victory on Monday night in Las Vegas.

Jabari Smith Jr. had his most efficient NBA summer league game to date and fellow rookie Tari Eason put up a third straight double-double, leading the Rockets to a 97-84 win (box score) over San Antonio. Houston (2-1) trailed by 18 late in Monday’s second quarter before outscoring the Spurs (0-3) by a whopping 31 points over the final two-plus quarters.

Smith scored 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%) and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%) in his 28 minutes, and he also contributed with strong defense, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals. Houston was +23 with the Auburn product on the court in Las Vegas, and -10 in the 12 minutes he sat.

Meanwhile, Eason led the Rockets in scoring and rebounding with 22 points and 11 rebounds, respectively, and he also added 2 steals and 2 blocks. The rookie forward from LSU was efficient for a second straight game, making 9-of-16 shots (56.3%) and 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%).

With Smith and Eason leading the way, the Rockets were dynamic defensively in the second half — as evidenced by San Antonio scoring just 30 points overall and a mere 11 during a decisive third quarter.

Daishen Nix had his second consecutive strong game as a floor general for the Rockets, scoring 18 points while dishing out 6 assists. Josh Christopher scored 18 points, as well, and took over the game late in the fourth quarter as Houston pulled away for the double-digit victory.

We’ll have more coverage in the days ahead as the Rockets gear up for their next summer league game on Thursday night versus Portland (schedule). For now, here’s a look at Monday’s highlights and immediate reaction by players, coaches, media members, and fans.

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Podcast: Key takeaways from Houston’s 2-1 start at NBA summer league

In Monday night’s podcast, Brian Barefield (@BigSargeSportz) shares his summer league impressions from Las Vegas regarding Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and the rest of the young Rockets.

LAS VEGAS — Our Brian Barefield has followed the Houston Rockets (2-1) for the first three games and associated practices at the NBA’s 2022 summer league, so we welcomed him to The Lager Line podcast Monday to share what he’s learned watching Jabari Smith Jr. and company.

Though Smith struggled in his first two games as a shooter, the 19-year-old was very efficient with 19 points in Monday’s win over San Antonio, and he’s regularly delivered a significant impact on the defensive end.

With that in mind, topics discussed on the podcast include:

  • Reaction to Smith’s summer league start and his mentality, and why the good has clearly outweighed the bad
  • Early impressions of fellow rookies Tari Eason and TyTy Washington
  • The competition between Washington and Daishen Nix for potential backup point guard minutes in the 2022-23 season
  • Optimal usage patterns for Josh Christopher
  • Aric Holman as a potential backup big candidate for the 2022-23 Rockets, behind Alperen Sengun

Monday’s complete episode can be listened to below. Each episode of the show is also made available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790, as well as to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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In second Rockets season, Daishen Nix improving his NBA feel

Rockets coach Rick Higgins says of Daishen Nix: “His basketball IQ is very, very high. If you pay attention and watch him, he is putting a lot of guys in position to be successful.”

LAS VEGAS – With just under 13 seconds left in Saturday’s intense fourth quarter, the Houston Rockets held a slim 87-86 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder. As second-year guard Daishen Nix took the ball on the opposite side of the court, he faced tremendous pressure.

Behind him in the seats were regular-season teammates Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Alperen Sengun, and Jae’Sean Tate, waiting to see if Nix would make the right decision to help Houston secure the win. Nix also had pressure staring him in his face with 7-foot-1 rookie Chet Holmgren obstructing his view, making it difficult to inbound the ball.

This situation may have rattled Nix, last season, in one of the 24 games he played with the Rockets. But this is a different Nix, who is trying to show Houston’s coaching staff — and in particular, head coach Stephen Silas — that he is ready to take his game to the next level.

As he surveyed the floor, he realized that Josh Christopher had his defender in front of him and a clear path to the basket. Nix floated the ball over the outstretched Holmgren and led Christopher to the basket, where he finished with a layup to boost Houston’s lead to three points. The Rockets went on to win that summer league game, 90-88.

“Daishen is a lot of things, and number one, he is a very good basketball player,” said Rick Higgins, head coach of Houston’s summer league squad in Las Vegas. “If he believes he’s a very good basketball player, he can show it. There was some frustration and adversity in the first half in the last game (Orlando). That second half and the fourth quarter, I think he showed the player that he is.”

Nix, who went undrafted in 2021, finished the game with 16 points and six assists against the Thunder on efficient 6-of-9 shooting (66.7%), including 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60%). He was all over the court in his 26 minutes of action, clearly becoming more involved in the offense and appearing more relaxed and comfortable as a floor leader.

“I adjusted a lot, especially from game one,” Nix said postgame. “In game two I played more, and I got the feel for it. Game one, I was trying to get the feel for everybody on the team, like Jabari (Smith Jr.) and Tari (Eason). As soon as I got the feel for them and what they do, I put them in the right position, they did what they did, and we got the win.”

Getting a better feel for the NBA game is what the Rockets expect from Nix in the upcoming 2022-23 season. They would like to see the dynamic point guard who helped lead their G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers, to the championship. In 18 games with RGV, he averaged 20.6 points and 7.6 assists per game on 47.9% shooting.

With Kevin Porter Jr. established as Houston’s starting point guard, Nix will compete with rookie TyTy Washington ⁠— who was drafted out of Kentucky at the No. 29 slot in the 2022 first round. The Rockets experimented on Saturday with having both in the game at the same time, which gave Houston an extra ball-handler and decision-maker.

It worked out well for Houston, as each player used the other’s strengths to help keep the Rockets within striking distance of the Thunder. Late in the game, with Houston trailing by one point, it was Nix who waved off Christopher to get the ball in the hands of Washington, who hit a seven-foot floater in the lane to give the Rockets the lead.

“His basketball IQ is very, very high,” Higgins said of Nix. “It’s decisions like those, if you pay attention to it and watch him, he is putting a lot of guys in position to be successful.”

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Takeaways: In defensive battle, Jabari Smith Jr. rallies Rockets past Chet Holmgren, Thunder

Jabari Smith Jr. and Chet Holmgren had similar games Saturday, with each defending well while struggling to finish on offense. But Smith made more key plays late, leading to Houston’s win.

Saturday’s summer league showdown between the Rockets and Thunder featured a clash of two of the top-three rookies in the NBA’s 2022 draft class: Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr. and Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren.

Both prospects struggled to finish on offense, with Smith and Holmgren scoring 12 points apiece on 26.6% and 30.0% shooting, respectively. But each made a clear mark on defense, with Holmgren recording 8 rebounds and 4 blocks while Smith had 9 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 blocks — with the latter two categories leading the summer Rockets.

Most notably, Smith saved his best for last. The Auburn product drilled a 3-pointer and a turnaround jumper in the final five minutes to put the Rockets back in front, and he collected a steal and a crucial late stop as Houston held on for a 90-88 win (box score). The final stop was massive, since Smith defended without fouling and used his length to force talented second-year guard Josh Giddey into a miss as time expired.

Smith wasn’t the only impressive rookie. Tari Eason had an efficient night with 14 points and 11 rebounds on 5-of-10 shooting (50.0%), while TyTy Washington added 9 points in 22 minutes off the bench — including a floater with under 30 seconds left that put Houston ahead to stay.

Second-year guards Josh Christopher and Daishen Nix led the Rockets in scoring with 19 and 16 points, respectively. Christopher added 9 rebounds and 5 assists, while Nix dished out a team-high 6 dimes.

Our Brian Barefield is on the scene in Las Vegas and will have more postgame content on Sunday, which is when the Rockets will practice as they gear up for their next summer league game on Monday versus San Antonio (schedule). For now, here’s a look at Saturday’s highlights and immediate reaction by players, coaches, media members, and fans.

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With Usman Garuba out, Aric Holman ready for opportunity with summer Rockets

With Usman Garuba out injured, Aric Holman wants to take advantage of an opportunity in Las Vegas. “I want to get a contract with somebody, hopefully it’s here in Houston,” @AricHolman says.

LAS VEGAS — One of the goals of summer league is to get rookies and other young players acclimated to playing in the NBA by learning the rules, game speed, and beyond. It is also a time for free agents to showcase their talents with hopes of being invited to a team’s training camp and eventually making a regular-season roster.

That last goal is precisely what 6-foot-9 forward Aric Holman, who played for San Antonio’s G League affiliate last season, wants to achieve when he gets opportunities to play over the next two weeks.

Holman is currently part of the Rockets’ summer league team, where he is playing alongside talents like second-year player Josh Christopher and rookies Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and TyTy Washington.

With forward Usman Garuba out with an ankle injury that is likely to cause him to miss the entire summer league, Holman is using this opportunity to display some of the talents he possesses to show the Rockets and the rest of the NBA that he is ready to compete for a roster spot.

“I want to get a contract with somebody, hopefully it’s here in Houston,” Holman said. “I just take it one day at a time. Just winning the day. Not thinking about game three, four, or five. Just winning that next game.”

Holman, who went undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft out of Mississippi State, was very productive in Thursday’s summer league opener versus Orlando. He checked into the game late in the third quarter and immediately made an impact with two huge blocks in under one minute. Holman finished with 8 points in 14 minutes (box score) and showed potential as a stretch big, making 2-of-4 from 3-point range (50.0%).

That type of energy and production off the bench impressed Rockets summer league head coach Rick Higgins.

“He had one look that went terrible in the first half, but he came out in the second half with nothing but confidence, attention to detail, and energy,” said coach Higgins. “It helped our group immensely.”

When it comes to potentially earning a contract — keep in mind, Houston is reportedly looking for another backup big this offseason — Holman believes he brings intangibles that could help the Rockets be successful as they progress through their rebuild. Among his comments:

I am a very high IQ guy, so I just bring that to the floor. I communicate and make people better around me, and then I just take what is given to me. I don’t reach out for the extras; I just take what is given to me and help my team win.

“This is a great organization — a great coaching staff, great players all around,” Holman concluded. “As everyone starts to buy in, this is going to be a great organization.”

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Young Rockets learning from experience of 2022 NBA summer league opener

“The pace of the game was way faster, and the court was bigger, so there is more spacing,” TyTy Washington says of his NBA summer league debut. Houston returns to action Saturday night.

LAS VEGAS — One day after losing their first Summer League game to the Orlando Magic, the Houston Rockets were back in the gym trying to fix some of the things that led to the 91-77 defeat.

Orlando shot 52% overall and 50% on 3-pointers in the first half, led by 13 points from Paolo Banchero, who was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2022 NBA draft. Houston looked lost in their sets on both sides of the ball, which stood out to summer league head coach Rick Higgins.

“The communication, which is interesting,” Higgins said Friday. “Because watching on film, you can almost — without being able to hear — you could feel the lack of communication.”

Unfamiliarity among a group of new teammates caused a lot of that miscommunication, since it was the first time most of the players on the Rockets had played with one another. Mix that in with a high amount of pregame adrenaline, and you have a team with no continuity.

“Obviously playing with new people you have to adapt,” second-year guard Josh Christopher said. “But that is what summer league is all about. Adapting and building chemistry with your new teammates.”

One of those teammates looking to build that chemistry through redemption is forward Jabari Smith Jr., who finished his highly anticipated matchup against Banchero with 10 points and 7 rebounds.

Smith put in a lot of work during practice on Friday, preparing himself for another big matchup Saturday versus No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren and Oklahoma City (schedule). After getting a feel for playing in an NBA game on Thursday, Higgins expects Smith to rebound nicely.

“He hasn’t played a five-on-five basketball game since college and had his first one on last night (Thursday),” Higgins said regarding Smith’s debut performance. “Getting his feet under him, getting his body underneath him, and getting his game alignment will be huge.”

Saturday’s game will also be another opportunity for rookies Tari Eason and TyTy Washington to get more acclimated to playing NBA minutes. Eason finished Thursday’s game with a double-double, while Washington showed glimpses of being able to run an NBA offense.

“It was real, live NBA action, so I was happy to be out there,” Washington said after practice. “The pace of the game was way faster, and the court was bigger, so there is more spacing. I was just being a better leader vocally and staying aggressive. Taken what the defense was giving me. Whether that was me taking a shot, getting to the rim, or finding a teammate, I stayed aggressive throughout the whole game.”

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Rockets rookie Tari Eason making immediate NBA impact with energy

“He played with so much energy, he had no energy at the end,” Rockets coach Rick Higgins says of Tari Eason’s debut (14 points, 13 rebounds). “He put everything he had into the game.”

LAS VEGAS — Rockets rookie Tari Eason wanted to make a solid first impression in front of his head coach Stephen Silas, who was sitting on the sidelines to watch Houston take on Orlando in the first game of the 2022 NBA summer league. Before teammates Jalen Green, Jae’Sean Tate, KJ Martin, Alperen Sengun, and more could get settled in their seats, Eason made them stand right back to their feet.

Twelve seconds into the game, Daishen Nix found Eason coming off a screen he had set for Jabari Smith Jr. Eason took one dribble and exploded towards the rim for a thunderous dunk over Emanuel Terry, giving Houston its first two points and bringing the crowd to its feet.

“Me and Jabari had talked before the game, and he asked me if I was going to dunk on someone, and I said, ‘Yeah, bro,’” Eason said postgame. “It just happened to be the first play of the game and my first real NBA bucket. That was special.”

The Rockets selected Eason at No. 17 overall in this year’s draft after he made First Team All-SEC and won SEC Sixth Man of the Year at LSU. His on-court tenacity is one of the things that stood out when the Rockets were scouting him prior to the June 23 draft, and it showed during Houston’s 91-77 loss (box score) to the summer Magic.

“He played with so much energy, he had no energy at the end,” said Rick Higgins, Houston’s summer league head coach in Las Vegas.

“He put so much into the early, that when we got late into the game it was tougher for him to maintain that same level,” Higgins surmised. “But that wasn’t from a lack of desire or want. He was putting everything he had into the game, and his coach didn’t take him out enough.”

Eason finished with a double-double (14 points, 13 rebounds), but he shot just 35.3% from the field and 22.2% on 3-pointers, which he wants to improve by Saturday’s game versus Oklahoma City (schedule).

“I have to knock down the corner three-ball when I am open and pick my spots wisely,” said Eason, who has already been working with Rockets assistant John Lucas on improving his shooting mechanics. ’

Playing the Magic was a bit of a reunion for Eason, who squared off with the No. 1 overall pick in Orlando’s Paolo Banchero. The two faced each other in 2020 in Washington’s high school state championship game.

“It’s great to play against Paolo,” Eason said. He is a special talent. I’ve known him for a very long time now. We were chirping back and forth during the game. It’s all love, though. I’m really proud of him.”

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