The 4-year-old Rockets 22-year-old star may become the first choice for trading? It s not a loss to change to superstars

On May 22, in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers narrowly defeated the New York Knicks in overtime and won the first game. It can be said that the Pacers have already taken the lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. Although the Pacers' performance in the regular season is relatively average, in the playoffs, it can be said that the Pacers defeated many strong teams in a row and unexpectedly advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. In the Eastern Conference Finals, it is somewhat surprising that it is currently leading the powerful New York Knicks 1:0.

It can be said that the Pacers were born for the playoffs. They performed quite well in the playoffs in the previous two seasons, and this season they are more likely to reach the Finals or even win the NBA championship. Of course, this is a later story.

Just like some players, some players perform mediocrely in the regular season, and in the playoffs they can become ace players. For example, the Warriors' forward Iguodala, and even the Rockets veteran Adams this season: he was just an ordinary substitute in the regular season, but in the playoffs, his role and tactical status in the team are no less than that of a main player.

However, there are also some players in the Rockets who have performed better than the playoffs in the regular season. In other words, these players are far inferior to the regular season when they perform in the playoffs. For example, the most typical one is Rockets defender Jaylen Green. In addition, Rockets' Jabbarry Smith Jr. has not had too many opportunities in the playoffs this season.

Although 22-year-old Jabbarry Smith made his debut in all seven playoff games with the Warriors, he averaged only 20 minutes of playing time, and all of them were substitutes in seven games. In the regular season, Smith Jr. is the starting power forward of the Rockets most of the time, but in the playoffs, his starting position has long been lost, and his playing time is about 10 minutes less than the regular season. In 7 playoffs, Smith Jr. averaged 10.4 minutes per game, contributing 7.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 0.7 blocks. But in the regular season, Smith Jr.'s data is more beautiful: 57 games in the regular season, Smith Jr. averaged 30.1 minutes per game, contributing 12.2 points, 7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 blocks, and 0.4 steals.

In general, we can see that Smith Jr.'s four key data have declined in the playoffs, namely playing time, average score, rebounds and assists. Although Smith Jr.'s shooting percentage is generally better than the regular season, it is obvious that Uduka does not trust Smith Jr. in the playoffs. He prefers to let the Rockets' double Tashinkyung play with Adams for more time.

Smith Jr.'s tactical status and playing time in the team are not as good as Adams, so the decline in four playoff data also proves that Smith Jr. was not reused by Uduka at critical moments in the playoffs, which can more indirectly reflect that Smith Jr.'s real ability may be like this.

Considering that the Rockets have the hope of catching Antetokounmpo or a superstar among Durant this summer, Smith Jr. is likely to become the Rockets' first bargaining chip for the Rockets, after all, it is hard to count on him in the playoffs. In the regular season, the Rockets have players like Amen Thompson, Ethan, and Tate at the No. 4 position. If Smith Jr. can become a bargaining chip for superstars, the Rockets should take him as soon as possible. If Smith Jr. can be exchanged for a superstar, I believe the Rockets will not suffer any losses.