"He's not beating me right now, no. I'm gonna beat him," Smith said. "Happy birthday, MJ. I'm beating you in one-on-one right now. For sure. A thousand percent." Smith admitted he may potentially cede a bucket or two to the Hall of Famer, though he didn't exactly seem scared of the challenge.
Smith met with the media in Salt Lake City Friday before he participated in the annual Rising Stars event alongside fellow Rockets rookie Tari Eason and second-year center Alperen u015eengün. It will be an active weekend for Smith, who will also participate in the NBA Skills Challenge Saturday night.