The Houston Rockets drafted Jabari Smith Jr. with the third overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. After a solid rookie season, Smith will now be looking to prove his worth during his sophomore year in 2023-24.
His offseason training seems to be going oddly, though, with Smith seen taking a public yoga class. It’s not something young NBA stars are seen doing often, and a fan poked fun at him for it on Twitter.
Jabari Smith ole big athletic ass doing yoga with regular white people is killing me dawg 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/hRJ6nLiOoF
— De’Vion Hinton (@LordDexHinton) May 26, 2023
There is some humor to the situation, Jabari Smith Jr. is far bigger than anyone else taking the class with him. Flexibility is important for basketball players, and while yoga as an exercise will certainly prove helpful, Smith sticks out like a sore thumb in a video like this. Some other fans also got in on the trolling.
He gotta be a whole foot taller than everyone else in there
— Jeremy (@mrjaysizzle) May 26, 2023
NBA players used to have shorter careers, but modern medicine and new techniques have changed all that. And one fan said this shows Smith’s commitment to playing for a long time, albeit in a tongue-in-cheek manner.
Jabari planning on playing til 40. Taking care of that body.
— Ben Warner (@TheBenWarner) May 26, 2023
NBA players often take the offseason to improve all aspects of their physical and basketball abilities. When they are younger, this often means hitting the gym or working on their game. Smith doing yoga is certainly a bit off the beaten track, and one fan hilariously referred to it as a side quest.
nahh bros on a side quest rn
— NBALakersReport (@NBALakersReport) May 26, 2023
While there were a lot of jokes about Jabari doing this, there could very likely be injury benefits to improving his flexibility. And one fan very seriously suggested that more players need to be doing similar things.
If every athlete did yoga injuries would be down 90% https://t.co/M00d3VlHVf
— Robert Randolph (@robertrandolph) May 27, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr. Dealt With Some Struggles In His Rookie Year
Jabari Smith started 79 games for the Houston Rockets, averaging 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in his rookie year. This earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. But he had his issues over the year, especially when he was openly criticized by ex-Head Coach Stephen Silas.
“He is young and trying to find his way. Jabari has grit and toughness and tries defensively. And he’s not given much at all … I don’t run any plays for Jabari.”
He will be going into his second year with a new Head Coach and potentially James Harden as a teammate. Things promise to be different in Houston, and he will be hoping to take advantage and take the next step as an individual star.
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