Plus/Minus +19! 12+3 in 17 minutes, Shepard was named and praised by the Rockets

The Rockets defeated the Celtics 128-101 and won three consecutive games. With a record of 3 wins and 2 losses in the new season, the Rockets returned to the top 7 in the Western Conference. When they lost to the Thunder and Pistons, everyone felt that the sky was falling. Van Jordan was reimbursed for the season and Durant couldn't lead the Rockets. After all, the Rockets' offseason operations are aimed at the championship. However, the Rockets' dominance in the last three games has been full, and they announced their domineering return. Uduka made an adjustment to activate the whole team, abandoning the five dead players at the beginning, and playing Okogie and Amen in the backcourt. This not only relieved Amen's defensive pressure, but also made the Rockets impregnable inside and outside.

Without Okogie, the Rockets let Durant play shooting guard. Amen is the only one among the top five who can find and make up for deficiencies in speed. So in the first game against the Thunder, I was so tired that I cramped up. Okogie started with the same effect as Dillon. Last season, Amen, Dillon and Van Jordan were the three big outside locks. Now at least two of them are back, and then there are Durant and Shen Jing inside to protect the frame. Smith sweeps up the help defense. The Rockets' defensive pressure is back, even stronger. After all, compared to Van Jordan, the overall height of the Rockets has increased. This means that talent cannot be filled by hard work.

The starting lineup was fine, and the substitutes were fine. Sheppard slowly found the feeling, and Ethan also started to kill. Ethan regained his defense and three-pointers, and Shepard did not suffer against substitute-level opponents. We have said before that Sheppard cannot start high-end games yet. Unless Sheppard is drafted, it will be possible for you to go up and gain experience. The Rockets championship team will not be able to give Xiao Xie this opportunity. If you bring a substitute, Sheppard's power will come out.

During the past three consecutive victories, Shepard performed well, scoring a total of 7 of 16 three-pointers and a terrifying 12 of 24 shooting. Today against the Celtics, Sheppard played really well. In 17 minutes, he made 4 of 5 three-pointers, scored 12 points and 3 assists, with a plus-minus of +19 and no mistakes. Rockets reporter Lachard Binkley praised Shepard by name after the game. He said this was Shepard's best performance since the start of the game. On the defensive end, he did not make mistakes and dared to fight. He made decisive shots and then did not stick to the ball. He actively assisted his teammates and made all the three-pointers he was supposed to shoot.

Just like Uduka's analysis, Shepard must maintain confidence and remain aggressive. This is what he has always asked Xiao Xie to do, to shoot resolutely. Durant also said that he has been encouraging Xiaoxie to shoot, and the Rockets also need his firepower on the outside. Shepard's explosion really comes from the trust of the Rockets' coaches and teammates. Shepard also said after the game that he has always told himself that when an opportunity arises, he must act decisively and with confidence. He is also grateful to his teammates for believing in him unconditionally. In fact, it's not easy for Sheppard. As a 24-year-old prospect, he had the worst development resources among the top three when he entered the league.

Both Sal and Risashe were starters. Only Shepard averaged 12 minutes per game, and the time was still very sparse. But he was really strong when he started last season, averaging 20 points and 5 assists per game, shooting 49% from the field and 52% from three-point range. In the first 5 games of this year, Sheppard's average time increased to 21 minutes per game, scoring 10.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1 steal, and 0.4 blocks, shooting 39.1% from the field, 44.4% from three-point range, and averaging 2.4 hits per game. You can say that the Rockets trained Shepard hard, but you cannot deny his talent. As Rockets general manager Stone analyzed, if the No. 3 pick belongs to the Nets, maybe Shepard can average 20 points and 7 assists per game in his first season.

Shepard was almost observed with a magnifying glass by Rockets fans. Everyone had been patient with Jaylen Green for four years, but had no patience with Xiao Xie. In fact, the Rockets don't need to change. They have always said that they could just win White. But this year White has been on a steep decline in the Celtics. In 7 games so far this season, White has averaged 15.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, with an overall shooting percentage of only 30.8% and a three-point shooting percentage of 25.0%. The Rockets can keep the same this season and just wait and see if Amen and Shepard can take on Van Jordan's job. If not, the Rockets can just wait for Van Jordan to come back next season. After all, Durant will be with the Rockets until he is 40 years old, and there are still three years left.