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
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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/
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