16 points to 0 points! The Rockets starting lineup is adjusted again? The 21-year-old rookie completely defeated the minimum salary gate, and the perfect match was born.

Rockets head coach Uduka has emphasized many times that the team's current starting lineup is not fixed and will be adjusted according to different opponents in the game and different situations on the field. The Rockets have used multiple starting lineups this season. In fact, they have made every effort. The Rockets have only played 9 regular season games and have a record of 6 wins and 3 losses.

The Rockets' starting lineup has five top starters, as well as the current traditional starting model, and Ethan has also entered the starting lineup. So will the Rockets adjust their starting lineup in the future? The answer is yes, adjusting the starting lineup is a high probability event, and the Rockets cannot keep the starting lineup unchanged. They will constantly try new lineups, adjust the starting model, and let more players enter the starting lineup based on the needs of the team and tactical adjustments.

In fact, during the preseason, the Rockets' 21-year-old rookie Reed Shepard became the Rockets' starting shooting guard several times, but his performance was relatively average. But now after 9 games of training, Sheppard's performance in the second team is getting better and better. For example, in the last two games, the Rockets played against the Spurs and Bucks. Shepard scored 16 points in each of the two games, scoring a total of 32 points. He also made achievements in steals and assists. In the two games, he also made eight three-pointers with a high shooting rate.

Take today's Rockets victory over the Bucks as an example. Although Shepard was a substitute guard in this game, his performance and playing time were much better than the Rockets' starting shooting guard Okogie. Let’s look at the data first. As the starting shooting guard in this game, Okogie only got 17 minutes of playing time. He made 0 of 3 shots in the game, 0 of 2 three-pointers, no points, only one assist, one rebound, and one foul.

In contrast, Rockets substitute guard Shepard got 29 minutes of playing time, which is almost equivalent to a starter. In 29 minutes, he made 6 of 10 shots, 4 of 6 three-pointers, scored 16 points and 2 assists, as well as a block and 4 steals. His performance was much better than the Rockets' starting guard, the basic salary defensive gatekeeper Josh Okogie.

In this game, Udoka also trusted Shepard very much and gave him more playing time. The nearly 30 minutes of playing time made Shepard's tactical position in the team equivalent to an invisible starter. Shepard is now getting more and more playing time, and Uduka is paying more and more attention to him. Shepard's 48% three-point shooting rate is the trump card of the Rockets' second team. The Rockets' second unit is able to score high points in every game, and Shepard's contribution is indispensable.

However, it seems that the Rockets' Amen Thompson still failed to practice a three-pointer, and Okogie failed to make a three-pointer. Now it's really time to let Sheppard replace Okogie as the starting shooting guard to work with Amen Thompson. After all, Sheppard's three-point shooting percentage is top-notch, and Amen Thompson is not very good at shooting three-pointers. In this way, Sheppard can open up more space for Amen Thompson and create more opportunities for him to break through and score under the basket. Okogie does not have such ability, and with Sheppard around, he can pass more good balls to Smith, Durant and Shen Jing.

If Shepard is allowed to start, I believe he will perform better. After all, Sheppard's defense has improved now, and his offensive touch is even hotter. If he is included in the starting lineup, the Rockets should win more games.