Former exec flames Jabari Smith Jr. for problem Rockets fans know all too well

The Houston Rockets are hoping for a breakout for Jabari Smith Jr. Former NBA executive John Hollinger says his inability to handle the ball could be an issue.

"Smith Jr. can't dribble at all."

- John Hollinger, The Zach Lowe Show

That's harsh. Unfortunately, it's hard to argue.

Smith Jr.'s combination of height and shooting ability gives him undeniable upside. It's a tantalizing package. It's surely part of what saw him selected third overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.

It might not amount to much without a handle.

Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. is missing a key skill

At 6'11", Smith Jr. is a tall wing. That alone does not make him unguardable. Many opponents will have one player with the requisite wingspan and foot speed to consistently contest his shots.

When a player can't get a clean shot, they typically put the ball on the floor. That's where Smith Jr. falls short. His handle is tremendously shaky, so that's not an option for him.

As long as that holds, he's unlikely to reach stardom. The Rockets won't run sets to get Smith Jr. a midrange jumper off the ball. Smith Jr. is a three-level scorer, but if he can't get from one level to the next on his own, that's not good enough.

What will the Rockets do if he never gets there?

Rockets have no shortage of star potential

Well, that's the good news:

The Rockets will be perfectly fine.

Alperen Sengun is already a star. He can improve - the Rockets would love to see an All-NBA selection in 2025-26 - but he's already there.

Amen Thompson isn't far off. Granted, his poor jump shot is a limitation in its own right. It's less limiting than Smith Jr.'s (lack of) a handle. Thompson can get himself to the rim at a star level, so the upside is at least there.

In 2025-26, the Rockets will have Kevin Durant as a primary shot maker. He's much older than the other players mentioned, so he's not a permanent obstacle on Smith Jr.'s path to stardom. Still, it's worth noting that while Houston may want Smith Jr. to sharpen his handle, they don't need him to for a while.

What they do need is Smith Jr. to guard multiple positions. They'd also love him to improve his three-point accuracy. A career high in that area, along with continued defensive improvement, would qualify as a successful season for Smith Jr.

If his handle did develop, that would just be icing on the cake.