Confidence is a great thing. No one should be blamed for believing in themselves. However, Jabari Smith Jr. continues to just openly taunt the Los Angeles Lakers when speaking to the media, begging LeBron James and company to do something about it.
The Houston Rockets forward has openly stated the belief of his team being the better one while trailing big in the series. Fair play. If Smith did not have that stance, this series against the Rockets could have been over in four or five games. LeBron certainly did not have an issue with that one.
The latest statement from Smith carries the same type of confidence. However, this one is starting to walk the fine line of confidence and cockiness a whole lot closer.
Smith said: "We're not thinking about Game 7. We'll think about it tonight when we gotta pack our bags, but we're not thinking about it right now. We're worried about Game 6, worried about the task at hand. We're worried about tonight, we're not thinking about Game 7 yet."
Lakers need to snuff out the Rockets' plans for Game 7
Did you catch it? Among Smith's statement was a very clear message: the Rockets will be packing their stuff up for a trip back to Los Angeles for Game 7. That is, at least, what the young forward had to say on the matter.
For Houston, there should really be no issue with any of this. At one point, the Rockets were staring down a 3-0 deficit. When you land in the type of circumstances that no one has come back from, someone has to be the spark that gives you hope. Smith is doing that for his team.
For Los Angeles, at some point, you have to take it a little personally.
Smith can say the focus is on Game 6 all he wants. However, his not-so subtle message about a looming Game 7 is writing off the Lakers' chances in that Game 6. Teams have been fired up more for much less than what the former top-five pick is giving to Los Angeles.
JJ Redick asked his team to not play with their food ahead of Game 5. In the hopes of finally having that message be heard, Smith's words can be used as the focal point of why the Lakers need a focused effort in Game 6.
Those type of comments are only going to grow more unapologetic if the Rockets get the Game 7 they are looking for. Game 6 needs to be the Lakers' moment to make the Toyota Center so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
Add us as a preferred source on Google