Dawg Talk

The Truth About the NBA Draft, NIL, and Pressure as a Pro w/ Jabari Smith Jr.


Listen Later

In this unfiltered and high-energy episode of the Dawg Talk Podcast, J Mac, Kenny Gaines, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP) are joined by none other than Jabari Smith Jr.—NBA rising star, Georgia native, and No. 3 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

From his early days training with his dad and brother, to dominating during COVID, and his unforgettable Auburn run, Jabari keeps it real about the grind behind the glam. He breaks down:

  • His AAU battles and high school legacy
  • Navigating pressure as the son of a pro
  • What really went down in the 2022 draft process
  • His NBA rookie season struggles with Houston
  • The culture shift under Coach Ime Udoka
  • His first playoff experience and more

Plus, the crew debates the Top 5 Georgia Hoopers of the past 15 years and swap hilarious stories from their journeys in the league.

If you're a hoops head, Georgia native, or just love real-talk basketball convos, this episode is can't-miss.

TIME STAMPS (YouTube-Optimized):

  • 00:00 - Intro + Jabari Smith Jr. joins the table
  • 04:40 - Georgia Hoopers got that grit
  • 07:35 - COVID AAU memories: Jabari was in the lab
  • 11:18 - The infamous Elite 8 loss + respect for the comp
  • 15:01 - Jabari’s dad’s overseas journey + China memories
  • 18:55 - Growing up with pressure + car ride coaching sessions
  • 22:48 - Fundamentals over flash: early training philosophy
  • 27:32 - Jabari’s son + parenting with an NBA profile
  • 30:50 - Legacy pressure + building your own name
  • 33:20 - AAU now vs back then: shoe deals, too many teams
  • 39:04 - Jabari’s recruitment process + why Auburn
  • 44:00 - Auburn’s culture shift + SEC dominance
  • 48:36 - NIL, the transfer portal, and college ball in 2025
  • 54:13 - Draft night + only 2 workouts before going top 3
  • 58:47 - Rookie season struggles + Houston’s rebuild\
  • 1:02:12 - Eric Gordon, Jeff Green & veteran wisdom
  • 1:07:06 - Jabari’s NBA playoff debut vs the Warriors
  • 1:11:15 - The shift from Silas to Ime Udoka
  • 1:14:00 - What Detroit is building + bad boy mentality
  • 1:17:15 - Jokic, LeBron, and shots that aren’t luck
  • 1:21:10 - Top 5 Georgia Hoopers in the last 15 years
  • 1:26:55 - Closing out with laughs + show outro

------------------------------------------------

Connect with Jabari Smith Jr. at: 

Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/jabarismithjr/?hl=en

Follow Us: Dawg Talk Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedawgtalkpod/ 

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: https://www.instagram.com/caldwellpope/ 

Jordan McGruder (J Mac): https://www.instagram.com/wordsfrommac/

 

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Dawg TalkBy Dawg Talk Podcast

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

4 ratings


More shows like Dawg Talk

View all
DNVR Denver Nuggets Podcast by ALLCITY Network, DNVR Sports

DNVR Denver Nuggets Podcast

669 Listeners

Locked On Nuggets - Daily Podcast On The Denver Nuggets by Locked On Podcast Network, Matt Moore, Adam Mares

Locked On Nuggets - Daily Podcast On The Denver Nuggets

709 Listeners

Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets by Locked On Podcast Network, Jackson Gatlin

Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

403 Listeners

Club 520 Podcast by iHeartPodcasts, The Volume, and Shay Shay Media

Club 520 Podcast

1,230 Listeners

The Sixth Man Show - Orlando Magic Podcast by Blue Wire

The Sixth Man Show - Orlando Magic Podcast

233 Listeners

The Young Man and the Three by ThreeFourTwo Productions | Wondery

The Young Man and the Three

2,976 Listeners

Pickaxe and Roll by Mile High Sports, Bleav

Pickaxe and Roll

237 Listeners

The Lager Line by Ben DuBose

The Lager Line

23 Listeners

Run Your Race by Tidal League

Run Your Race

140 Listeners

The IkoSystem with Kelly Iko by Kelly Iko

The IkoSystem with Kelly Iko

11 Listeners

Podcast P with Paul George by Wave Originals

Podcast P with Paul George

979 Listeners

The ALL NBA Podcast by ALLCITY Network

The ALL NBA Podcast

233 Listeners

7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony by Wave Originals

7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony

555 Listeners

The OGs by Playmaker HQ, Udonis Haslem, Mike Miller

The OGs

237 Listeners

What's in a Game? by Will and Grace

What's in a Game?

6 Listeners