Why Jabari Smith is the biggest beneficiary of the Rockets’ addition of Kevin Durant

In The Wedding Singer, when Adam Sandler’s character melts, it is Jon Lovitz who reaps all the benefits. For Houston Rocketswhen Kevin Durant is added to the mixit is Jabari Smith Jr. who can do the same.

Durant’s arrival in Houston didn’t just change it Missile offense (currently ranked No. 1 in offensive rating), Smith is also unlocked. In Wednesday’s win over Toronto, the fourth-year forward turned in the most complete performance of his young career, driven in large part by the attention Durant commands.

The 25-5-5 performance was the first of Smith’s career, as he scored 25 points on 8-of-16 shooting and also knocked down 4-of-9 3-pointers.

“I play with KD, I play with Alpi. You have to pick your poison. It’s going to be like that all year,” Smith said after the game.

Durant’s usage rate is the lowest of his career, and his 17 shots per game would be the second-lowest of his career, behind only his (comparable) first season in Golden State. Yet his presence and magnetic appeal continue to create open looks for others, most notably Smith.

A good portion of Smith’s baskets came on three-pointers, as the Raptors were content to focus on Durant and Sengun, allowing the less popular Smith to try to beat them. Something that could be a regular occurrence this year.

“Teams are doubling them, and we’re being unselfish about making the right play,” Smith explained after the game.

Durant could even be credited with a few “hockey assists,” as Smith had five of his own in Wednesday’s win, four of which went to Sengun on passes. The effect of KD’s influence.

Durant’s addition makes life easier for everyone on the floor. But his presence will have the biggest impact on Smith’s development. The two have coached together the last three offseasons, even before they were teammates.

“It’s always good to get in the gym with the younger guys,” Durant said 2024 about his time with Smith, via si.com. “They see the game from a different perspective. I ask the same things, I’m still a student of the game, even though I’ve seen it all. We were just bouncing ideas off each other. I’m glad to see them play better … and take the next step.”

Smith, who has a similar build to Durant (6’11” and 220 pounds with an outside shot), wanted Durant’s help getting to his shots and how to make plays. Lessons that, funnily enough, are now being applied in real time.

“He had a huge impact (on me),” Smith said Space City Home Network’s Vanessa Richardson on the field after Wednesday’s big win. “Just watching how he approaches the game, how he lets the game come to him, how unselfish he is … he’s a great teammate, a great guy to look up to and I’m glad to play with him, I’m glad to learn from him.”

You can see the confidence building for Smith, who is currently averaging a career-high 16 points per game in his first year playing with his mentor.