When Houston Rockets power forward Jabari Smith Jr., the No. 3 pick in the 2022 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA Draft, stepped into the league, his initial introduction involved a daunting test against Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Smith recently described this intense first encounter as his true Giannis Antetokounmpo NBA welcome moment, a vivid initiation into the demands of professional basketball.
Selected immediately after Orlando Magic’s All-Star Paolo Banchero and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren, Smith was thrust into a challenging matchup almost immediately.
Inside the Matchup: Preparation and Reality Collide
On a recent episode of the podcast The Young Man & The Three, Smith shared details about the night he first faced Antetokounmpo. Upon entering the Houston Rockets’ team locker room, Smith noticed his assignment clearly marked on the whiteboard: defend the nine-time All-NBA forward.
Smith recalled preparing alongside his teammates with a defensive strategy that ultimately fell apart during the game.
“Like, we in film. We prepping. Like, we obviously saying, ‘Build a wall,’”
he said.
“It was no wall the whole game. Like, I feel like I was on an island. I’m coming to the bench mad. I’m like, ‘Where everybody at?’”
Giannis’ Dominance in the First Showdown
Antetokounmpo left no doubt about his impact, delivering a commanding performance with 44 points and 12 rebounds that led the Bucks to a 125-105 victory over the Rockets. Smith described the relentless nature of the star’s playstyle.
“Like, he coming full speed. Euro step. Dunk,”
Smith said.
“Like, it was just nothing I could do. Like, you know what I’m saying? Like, he was posting up. I’m trying to front. It was just nothing I could do, honestly. So, it was just — that was a very, very ‘Welcome to the NBA’ moment.”
Smith emphasized Giannis’ intensity during every game, including their brief encounters. “He plays hard as s—,” he added.
“Like, anytime I’ve played him, he plays the same. Like, he’s crashing the glass. Like, you don’t see that from, like, top five players in the league. And, like, just the — the energy you’re exerting — like, he playing hard, like, as hell.”
The Significance of This Early Challenge
Smith’s recollection of facing Giannis highlights the challenges rookies often encounter when competing against established superstars. His story illustrates how quickly the NBA’s intensity and skill level can overwhelm new players, emphasizing the steep learning curve Entering the league demands.
For Giannis Antetokounmpo, moments like this underscore the sustained competitive edge that defines his career and intimidates even the most promising newcomers. Smith’s experience not only marks a memorable Giannis Antetokounmpo NBA welcome moment but also sets a benchmark for all rising talents facing the league’s elite.