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BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 01: Tari Eason #13 of the LSU Tigers reacts after scoirng during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on February 01, 2022 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 01: Tari Eason #13 of the LSU Tigers reacts after scoirng during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on February 01, 2022 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
The Houston Rockets, now, have a solid young core due to their draft acquisitions. Other than drafting Jabari Smith Jr., they also got Tari Eason. Eason was picked 17th overall by the Rockets and has a lot to prove. He has played for the Cincinnati Bearcats and the LSU Tigers.
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His defensive skills are much needed in an attack-heavy Houston team. Eason’s 7’2″ wingspan will likely help him in blocking shots and scoring dunks.
Speaking of dunks, Eason was asked about who he would want to dunk on first. His answer was no surprise: LeBron James. Everybody wants to come for the “King”, including Eason too. According to the rookie, there was no other name that came to his mind. LeBron James is considered to be one of the greatest basketball players ever, hence dunking him would be a moment to remember for the young player.
Eason will not hesitate to challenge the elder statesmen of the NBA, by the looks of it. He will likely turn out to have a good career if he can keep this attitude toward the game.
Tari Eason: A prospect to look out for
Last season, the 6’8″ Eason averaged 16.9 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 56.4% from the floor and 35.9% from the three-point range.
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However, his defense is the real clincher for the Houston Rockets. He has an over seven-foot wingspan and was one of the top defensive prospects in the draft. Eason was projected to go in the Top 10 in some mock drafts.
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BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – MARCH 05: Tari Eason #13 of the LSU Tigers and James Rojas #33 of the Alabama Crimson Tide go for a loose ball during overtime at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on March 05, 2022 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Houston’s defence was the worst in the league last season. They had a DRTG of 116.4, which put them dead last in the league. Hence, the additions of two of the longest, most versatile, athletic, and skillful defenders in the draft should have a positive effect on the team’s defense.
Eason and Smith can each guard numerous spots, giving the Rockets, that previously struggled with size and defence, the chance to turn those weaknesses into strengths.
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It will be interesting to see how they team up with the likes of Jalen Green, Kevin Porter and others. Houston has potentially built a championship-winning core for years to come.