Averaged 12+2+3 per game! Famous mouthpieces named the Rockets’ 21-year-old sharpshooter: His skills are like Durant’s and he is Hugh City’s X factor

The Rockets' next opponent is the Cleveland Cavaliers. Before this game, the Rockets announced an injury report. Jabari Smith Jr., the main power forward of the Rockets, although he can contribute 14+6 data this season, he may be absent from this game. The knee injury makes Smith's status for this game "doubtful."

Coupled with the fact that two famous strikers, Finney Smith and Ethan, are injured and absent, and veteran point guard VanVleet is out for the season, the Rockets will play in the next game against the Cavaliers, which can be described as a "super disabled team". In this way, if Smith Jr. is unable to play, Coach Udoka will inevitably adjust the starting lineup, because the 22-year-old Smith Jr. is the Rockets' main power forward. Once he is absent, the Rockets forward line will not have a suitable player to take the starting position. Tate and Jeff Green cannot be allowed to directly serve as the starters.

In fact, the Rockets have a good plan, which is to let Shepard serve as point guard and put Amen Thompson in his most familiar power forward position to start. This can also increase the Rockets' chances of winning. After all, the strength of the Cleveland Cavaliers cannot be underestimated. They rank second in the Eastern Conference and are one of the championship contending teams this season.

Is Team Rocket's Shepard really trustworthy? The answer is absolutely yes. In the two games of the preseason, Sheppard served as the Rockets' starting point guard, and his cooperation with Amen Thompson was relatively harmonious. In the last five games, Sheppard averaged 16 points per game and shot over 50% from three-point range. In the 12 games so far this season, Sheppard has played in all, averaging 12.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. It can be said that Shepard can now stably make three-pointers, and his passing ability has also improved a lot than before. His stealing ability is one of the best in the Rockets.

In terms of defense, Sheppard is rarely passed by his opponents in one step now. His speed, reaction ability and confrontation ability have been significantly improved. After all, under the guidance of Rockets defensive coach Uduka, Shepard's defense has indeed improved a lot. Even NBA celebrity Tim Legler specifically named Shepard in a program. He said that Shepard's playing style is very attractive and he can now use his physical advantages to play and use it with ease.

Legler believes that Sheppard's performance was quite good at the beginning of this season. Although he also has some shortcomings, his speed and ball control ability exceed people's expectations. He can easily break through to the basket from half-court or beyond the three-point line to score, and his jump shooting ability is also very good, especially his step-back jump shot, which reminds people of Durant's signature move. The two men do have some similarities in this skill. Shepard is now deeply trusted by his Rockets teammates, which is a huge benefit for the Rockets - now Shepard can be left on the court at critical moments, which was completely impossible last season.

In the second half of the season, Shepard may perform better. He will become the X factor of the Rockets this season and will also bring more help to the team. Therefore, in Tim Legler's view, Sheppard is the unknown variable of the Rockets. He can help the team improve their offensive firepower, enhance their ball-holding and passing abilities, and is also one of the key figures in determining the Rockets' upper limit. If he can perform normally and perform at the level expected of a No. 3 draft pick, then even if veteran point guard VanVleet is injured for the season, the Rockets will still have a chance to compete for the NBA championship this season.