ESPN sees growing bond between Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant

It’s been well established in the past that Jabari Smith Jr. looks up to Kevin Durant, now his teammate with the Houston Rockets.

The two have worked out together in previous offseasons, and both have similar body types as lanky, 6-foot-10 or 6-foot-11 forwards with perimeter shooting ability and considerable defensive versatility.

Granted, Smith’s production in three professional seasons to date is nowhere near that of the 37-year-old Durant, a 15-time NBA All-Star and eventually a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

But, at 22 years old, there is still plenty of time for Smith to get better. And at a bare minimum, there should be something to be gained from having a daily working relationship featuring Durant as a mentor figure.

To that end, after attending Monday’s media day in Houston to kick off training camp, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (on The Hoop Collective podcast) had this to say about the clear synergies between Durant and Smith:

I think they had a previous relationship, but there has definitely been a bonding between Jabari Smith Jr. and Kevin Durant. They’re definitely spending time working together. Durant was very complimentary of Jabari and his work in the offseason.

There has definitely been a connection there, and frankly, they’re looking forward to playing together.

With Fred VanVleet sidelined due to his knee injury, the podcast panel then explored the possibility of Houston starting a massive lineup featuring Amen Thompson at point guard, Smith and Durant on the wings, Alperen Sengun at center, and perhaps Tari Eason, Steven Adams, or Dorian Finney-Smith (injured for the time being) as the fifth piece.

Thompson, at 6-foot-7 and with elite athleticism and leaping ability, would be the smallest player in that group!

The combination of those heights and sizes probably wouldn’t work with the players available to most teams, but the unique blend of length and skill from Durant and Smith makes it at least plausible for the Rockets and head coach Ime Udoka.

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