The Houston Rockets may have struggled in the post-James Harden era, but there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon with the emergence of young talent like Jabari Smith Jr. The 2023-24 NBA season showed signs of promise for the Rockets, with a 41-41 record and a near miss at making the playoffs.
Head coach Ime Udoka has been instrumental in developing the team’s young players, and Smith Jr. is a prime example of that. In a recent interview with Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints, Smith Jr. expressed his motivation and dreams of playing in the NBA Finals someday.
“This is where I see myself. This is where I dream to be. This is where I want to be,” Smith said, reflecting on the NBA Finals and envisioning himself on that stage in the future.
With tough competition in the Western Conference from teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Minnesota Timberwolves, the Rockets have their work cut out for them. However, with Smith Jr. as a key piece of their puzzle, the future looks bright for Houston.
As the Rockets continue to build and develop their young core, fans can look forward to seeing Smith Jr. and his teammates grow and potentially make a run at a title in the coming years. The journey won’t be easy, but with the right pieces in place, the Rockets could soon be back in contention in the Western Conference.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Houston Rockets and their quest for success in the NBA.