Tag: Tari Eason

10 bold preseason predictions revisited from the 2022 NBA draft

Rookie Wire offered 10 bold predictions for the 2022-23 season in October and vowed to come back to see how we did.

Back in October, Rookie Wire offered 10 bold predictions for the 2022-23 season based on the available information and vowed to come back and see how we did.

Well, the time has come to look back and review the results.

We started this exercise prior to the 2019-20 season, which was our inaugural class on Rookie Wire, and we have kept up with it each year since then. Our annual revisit of these bold predictions can serve as a fun way to provide some sort of accountability around here.

This year proved no different.

We once again hit on some of our predictions but fell well short of the mark on others. In our defense, to be fair, we were very close on several of these. We just ask that you go easy on us and don’t alert the authorities at Freezing Cold Takes about the ones we missed badly on.

Here is how we fared last season.

Updated 2023-2024 Houston Rockets roster, salaries after free agency

After an extremely busy 2023 free agency, here’s an updated look at the #Rockets roster and salaries entering the 2023-24 NBA season.

When we last saw the Houston Rockets play a regular-season game in April, they were one of the NBA’s youngest teams and directed by a relatively unproven head coach in Stephen Silas.

The situation has changed significantly in the months since. Ime Udoka replaced Silas as head coach and brought in his own staff of assistants, while general manager Rafael Stone spent more than $60 million in 2023 free agency to sign veteran players Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Jeff Green and Jock Landale.

Those veterans will surround Houston’s young core of Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Kevin Porter Jr., Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason and newly drafted 2023 rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore.

As of early August, here’s an updated look at where things stand with the Rockets’ coaching staff and roster of players entering the 2023-24 NBA season. Many of the team’s newcomers will not have their jersey numbers revealed until closer to training camp, which is scheduled to start in early October.

Height and weight information is from NBA.com, while salary details are from HoopsHype figures. Ages are as of Aug. 1, 2023.

Rockets shut down Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason for rest of 2023 summer league

Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason are being shut down by the #Rockets for the remainder of summer league play, @KellyIko reports. The second-year forwards excelled in Houston’s 2-0 start.

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Second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason are being shut down by the Rockets for the remainder of the NBA’s 2023 summer league in Las Vegas, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

Houston’s duo of 2022 first-round draft prospects excelled on both offense and defense. In a 2-0 start, Smith averaged 35.5 points (48.8% FG, 33.3% on 3-pointers), 7 rebounds and 4 assists in 32.2 minutes, while Eason tallied 23 points (48.7% FG, 36.4% on 3-pointers), 9.5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks in 31.3 minutes.

That type of production, however, could also indicate they have little left to prove or gain from playing in summer-league exhibitions. The Rockets, in particular, could be sensitive to any injury risk after losing prized rookie point guard Amen Thompson to a Grade 2 left ankle sprain in Friday’s summer-league opener.

If Smith and Eason sit out, along with Thompson, expect rookie Cam Whitmore and young forward Darius Days (on a two-way contract with the Rockets) to take on larger roles in Houston’s game plans moving forward. The summer Rockets return to action with Tuesday’s matchup versus Oklahoma City, with tipoff set for 5:30 p.m. Central in a game televised nationally on NBA TV.

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Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr. brilliant again as summer Rockets blast Pistons

With an efficient 38 points and 6 assists, Jabari Smith Jr. was brilliant again as the summer #Rockets (2-0) blasted Detroit. Tari Eason and Cam Whitmore also had strong showings.

With top Houston Rockets rookie Amen Thompson sidelined by a left ankle sprain, second-year prospect Jabari Smith Jr. picked up the slack and then some in Sunday’s 113-101 rout (box score) of the Detroit Pistons in the NBA’s 2023 summer league.

After scoring a game-high 33 points in Friday’s win, punctuated by an epic buzzer-beater, the No. 3 draft pick from the 2022 first round was even better against the Pistons with 38 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists on 13-of-25 shooting (52%). Smith hit 3-of-10 from 3-point range (30%) and 9-of-10 on free throws (90%).

Smith had plenty of help, most notably from two prospects Houston (2-0) also envisions having major NBA roles in the coming years. Fellow second-year forward Tari Eason had another strong game with 26 points and 9 rebounds on 12-of-25 shooting (48%), while rookie Cam Whitmore scored an efficient 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting (56.3%) and 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%).

The Pistons (1-1) were led in defeat by second-year guard Jaden Ivey, who had 22 points and 10 assists on 9-of-15 shooting (60%). Detroit’s frontcourt featured two players with significant NBA experience: James Wiseman and Jalen Duren, which made the performances opposite them by Smith and Eason all the more impressive.

Similarly, Whitmore (No. 20 pick in 2023) held his own against Amen Thompson’s twin brother, Ausar Thompson, who was drafted by the Pistons at No. 5 last month. Thompson finished with 12 points (46.2% FG), 8 rebounds and 6 assists.

Read on for highlights, postgame interviews with players and coaches, and reaction by fans and media members to Sunday’s game. Houston returns to action Tuesday versus Oklahoma City, with tipoff at 5:30 p.m. Central and television coverage on NBA TV. All five summer-league games are being played in Las Vegas.

Dillon Brooks excited to work with young Rockets forward Tari Eason

“I can’t wait to work with Tari (Eason),” Dillon Brooks tells @KellyIko. “I feel like he can be a great player in this NBA — especially a great defender — and grow his game.” #Rockets

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In a wide-ranging interview with Kelly Iko of The Athletic, newly signed forward Dillon Brooks spoke several times about the defensive culture he wants to bring to the Houston Rockets.

But Brooks went out of his way, completely unprompted, to single out one specific member of Houston’s young core that he’s excited to work with in the 2023-24 season and beyond.

Here’s how the exchange went:

Iko: This is a Rockets team with a ton of young talent but really struggled defensively over these last two, three seasons. Now, you’ve entered the picture fresh off a season where you earned All-Defense honors. What do you bring to the table?

Brooks: Just a lot of grit. A lot of heart, a lot of knowledge, good defensive game as well. And I’m here to teach, you know what I’m saying? I can’t wait to work with Tari (Eason). I feel like he can be a great player in this NBA — especially a great defender — and grow his game, his athleticism and everything. But I can’t wait to work with him. And yeah, pretty much. And just, you know, that just that veteran savvy.

Eason averaged 9.3 points (44.8% FG, 34.3% on 3-pointers), 6 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 21.5 minutes as a rookie last season. He earned All-Rookie second-team honors and graded out by many advanced models as among the league’s most impactful rookies.

Now 22 years old, the 6-foot-8 forward who was drafted at No. 17 overall in the 2022 first round wants to make a significant leap in his sophomore campaign. Fortunately for Eason and the Rockets, he’ll now have one of the league’s top defenders available for guidance.

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Podcast: Amen Thompson debuts as summer Rockets make big impression

Jabari Smith Jr. had more late heroics in Houston’s summer-league opener and Amen Thompson dazzled before leaving early with an injury. Today’s @TheLagerLine explores key #Rockets takeaways.

Rookie point guard Amen Thompson was extremely impressive in his Houston debut, and second-year Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. scored 29 second-half points and drilled a buzzer-beating 3-pointer for a feel-good victory to open 2023 summer league play.

That’s the good news from Friday night, which also included a strong performance by Tari Eason. The bad news was Thompson sprained his ankle late in the game and will not play for the Rockets again until 2023-24 preseason games in October.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Rockets finally made official all of their complicated acquisitions and departures from the opening days of 2023 free agency while also learning their five group opponents in the NBA’s new in-season tournament, which debuts this fall.

Rockets podcasters Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break down the positives and negatives from a busy weekend as part of their latest episode. Sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing, Sunday’s full show can be listened to below. Each episode is also made available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790 and all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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Takeaways: Amen Thompson, Scoot Henderson dazzle as summer Rockets edge Blazers

Amen Thompson (16 points, 5 assists, 4 blocks, 3 steals) showed flashes of point-guard brilliance in his #Rockets debut, but he also left early with an ankle injury in Houston’s buzzer-beating win.

Friday’s summer-league matchup between the Rockets and Trail Blazers was billed as a showdown between two rookie point guards drafted in the top-five picks: Portland’s Scoot Henderson (No. 3 in the 2023 first round) and Houston’s Amen Thompson (No. 4 overall).

It did not disappoint. Jabari Smith Jr. and the summer Rockets beat the Blazers at the buzzer in Las Vegas, 100-99 (box score), and arguably the biggest winners were the fans watching.

In a star-studded matchup, Thompson showed flashes of brilliance and stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3 steals, shooting 6-of-13 from the field (46.2%) while making his only 3-point attempt in 28 minutes.

For Portland, Henderson had an impressive 15 points and 6 assists on 5-of-13 shooting (38.5%), though he left the game after 21 minutes with a right shoulder injury and did not return. Thompson also hobbled off in the game’s final minute with an apparent left ankle sprain.

Beyond Thompson, key statistics for the Rockets (1-0) included:

  • Cam Whitmore: 14 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals; 5-of-18 shooting (27.8%), 2-of-7 on 3-pointers (28.6%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 33 points, 7 rebounds; 8-of-18 shooting (44.4%), 3-of-8 on 3-pointers (37.5%), 14-of-17 on free throws (82.4%)
  • Tari Eason: 20 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, 4 assists; 7-of-14 shooting (50.0%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%)

Read on for highlights, postgame interviews with players and coaches, and reaction by fans and media members to Friday’s game. The Rockets return to action with Sunday’s matchup versus Detroit, with tipoff at 6:00 p.m. Central and television coverage on ESPN2. All five summer-league games are being played in Las Vegas.

5 former LSU basketball players on NBA Summer League rosters

Five former Tigers look to prove themselves in Las Vegas this week as the main Summer League action begins.

Early play in the NBA Summer League began earlier this week in Salt Lake City, but the main event is set to begin in Las Vegas on Friday and will run through July 17.

When this year’s Summer League action gets started, it will feature a total of five former LSU players looking to impress their clubs and ultimately earn roster spots: [autotag]KJ Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Javonte Smart[/autotag], [autotag]Tari Eason[/autotag], [autotag]Darius Days[/autotag] and [autotag]Duop Reath[/autotag].

Williams and Smart have already seen some action in the Salt Lake City early games.

Here’s a rundown on each of the former Tigers, how their careers have gone and what they stand to gain this week.

Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason to play with Rockets at NBA’s 2023 summer league

Second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason are expected to play for the #Rockets during some of next month’s NBA summer league games in Las Vegas, @KellyIko reports.

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Assuming they are healthy, newly drafted first-round rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore will be the main attractions of the NBA’s 2023 summer league for Rockets fans. It will be the first time both wear their new Houston jerseys on a basketball court.

But for those making the trek to Las Vegas, there could be additional attractions for at least part of the five-game exhibition slate.

Per Kelly Iko of The Athletic, second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason will likely participate in some of Houston’s summer games. While both had solid rookie seasons in 2022-23 and made the league’s All-Rookie second team, there’s still plenty of development to go, and perhaps their shooting and cutting abilities could fit well as Thompson directs Houston’s offense for the first time.

While there’s theoretically some injury risk by allowing a player such as Smith or Eason to play in summer league, the same is true in any pickup games or exhibition showcases that NBA players compete in over the offseason. Thus, the Rockets might prefer for younger players to do it within the team’s controlled environment.

Houston’s summer slate begins Friday, July 7.

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Hyper-athletic: Rockets enter rebuild’s next phase by doubling down on team philosophy

“We already were athletic, and we doubled down,” Rafael Stone said after the 2023 NBA draft. “It is never a bad thing to be a hyper-athletic team, and I think we will be just that.” #Rockets

It has been at least three years since the Houston Rockets were looked at as winners on and off the court.

To regain its relevance, the organization has a three-phase plan in place. After Thursday night’s 2023 NBA draft, the Rockets already appear to be winning the second phase.

In late 2020, Phase 1 of their rebuild began with the departure of veteran superstars James Harden and Russell Westbrook. It also included the exit of general manager Daryl Morey, who was the architect of the extended playoff runs in the 2010s.

As the organization sees it, that phase ended in April 2023 when it did not renew the contract of former head coach Stephen Silas. At that time, the Rockets were coming off a third straight year with one of the NBA’s two worst records, which resulted in high draft picks to bolster Houston’s stockpile of young talent and draft assets.

Phase 2 started in late April when Houston hired former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka, who led the Celtics to an NBA Finals appearance in his only season.

Udoka’s presence will be felt on the sidelines and in the locker room. The former NBA player and coach under San Antonio Spurs legend Gregg Popovich was heavily pursued by many teams for their head coaching vacancy during the 2023 playoffs..

The shift in dynamics, particularly when it came to hiring a coach that could help Houston’s young roster take that next step, could be considered a win for the franchise. If that is the case, general manager Rafael Stone should be preparing to take another victory lap.

According to most analysts, Houston was a big winner in Thursday’s draft after adding Amen Thompson from the Overtime Elite at No. 4 and Cam Whitmore out of Villanova at No. 20.

“Houston has a lot of players that have great potential, and I think (we) have a scary future,” Thompson said.

Adding those pieces to a roster that consists of Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün and Tari Eason makes Houston one of the most exciting young teams in the NBA.

“We are athletic,” Stone said with a smile during his post-draft press conference. “I think we can jump. So, I think we already were (athletic), and we doubled down. It is never a bad thing to be a hyper-athletic team, and I think we will be just that.”

The responsibility of making everything come together on the court to translate to wins will be left to Udoka and his staff. Stone has provided many key pieces to make the Rockets competitive next season, but he needs to find veteran additions in free agency.

For owner Tilman Fertitta, Phase 3 consists of playoff runs that will ultimately produce NBA titles. As of now, it remains far too early for the Rockets to make a push at hanging another championship banner in Toyota Center.

But if the team develops as projected, it may need to think about an optimal parade route through the city in a few years.

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