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:
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Reaction to Smith’s summer league start and his mentality, and why the good has clearly outweighed the bad
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Early impressions of fellow rookies Tari Eason and TyTy Washington
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The competition between Washington and Daishen Nix for potential backup point guard minutes in the 2022-23 season
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Optimal usage patterns for Josh Christopher
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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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Takeaways: In defensive battle, Jabari Smith Jr. rallies Rockets past Chet Holmgren, Thunder
