The Houston Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. knows what it’s like for Charlotte Hornets’ Brandon Miller in his first NBA season.

Smith joined the Rockets from Auburn as the third pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Houston reached the NBA All-Star Game break last season with a 13-45 record.

Miller joined the Hornets from Alabama as the second pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Charlotte reached the NBA All-Star Game break this season with a 13-41 record.

During the NBA All-Star Weekend, Smith and Miller were teammates during the Panini Rising Stars event for the league’s top first- and second-year players.

“He’s doing great,” Smith said of Miller. “I just admire how he stays with it. It could be tough losing. I went through it last year – still trying to win more games this year. It’s just losing a lot of games like that can be tough because it could weigh on somebody. He’s just still having fun with it, still playing, so I admire him for that.

“He’s just playing great. He’s having a good stretch right now, and, hopefully, he keeps it up. I’m a big fan of his even though he went to Bama. But I just love his game, his versatility, just how he carries himself.”

As a rookie, Smith reached the all-star break averaging 12.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. After the break, Smith averaged 14.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game as Houston went 9-15 for the remainder of the season.

Miller comes out of his first all-star break with averages of 16.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

“Just the love of the game,” Smith said about playing through the losing. “I’m pretty sure he has teammates around that he likes playing with, and they can keep it fun. I’m sure they’re not trying to lose, of course. It can still be fun, still work for different things, still just enjoy the game. Compete and try to win every game.

“When you’re in between the lines, your record goes out the window. All of that goes out the window. I think it’s just the fun of the game, love of the game. I feel like if you love it, it’s easy to get through that.”

The Rockets lost their final seven games entering the all-star break last season. But the Hornets will come out of the break on Thursday carrying a three-game winning streak. Charlotte plays the Utah Jazz at 8 p.m. CST Thursday at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

This season, Houston has a 24-30 record at the all-star break, with Smith averaging 13.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

The Rockets return to the court against the New Orleans Pelicans at 6 p.m. CST Thursday at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.