14 minutes, 7 minutes and 3 mistakes! The Rockets new point guard is difficult to stay? Stone may restart the trade and replace the main controller to compete for the championship

After the Rockets defeated the Hawks in the previous preseason game, their head coach Uduka directly stated that although the Rockets' offense looked okay, the performance of the Rockets' two starting point guards, Shepard and Amen Thompson, was relatively average. Because under the organization of the two of them, the Rockets' offense seemed very stagnant and not smooth.

Although VanVleet had some shortcomings last season, he is indeed the Rockets' best point guard - he organizes the offense in an orderly manner, can defend and shoot, and he is also a coach on the court. Without VanVleet, the Rockets only relied on Shepard and Amen Thompson to hold the ball and promote the offense. It was obviously very difficult. Even Amen Thompson and Shepard couldn't even do the minimum ball-holding well.

Although Durant will return in the next game against the Jazz, the performance of Shepard and Amen Thompson at the 1st position is indeed unconvincing. Amen Thompson is a versatile player. Even if his passing performance is not good, he can still contribute on the front line and even inside, and he is an extremely good defensive forward; but Shepard is not like this. As an off-ball shooter, his three-point shooting rate is less than 35%; if he is a point guard, except for Amen Thompson, Shepard also makes too many mistakes.

Just like the previous game when the Rockets defeated the Hawks, Sheppard played as a point guard. He only scored 7 points and made 3 turnovers in 14 minutes. In that game, Sheppard made 2 of 6 shots and 1 of 4 three-pointers, with a shooting percentage of only 25%. He scored 7 points, 1 assist and 3 rebounds, but he also had 3 fouls and 3 turnovers. His assist-to-turnover ratio was quite poor. This is not data that a qualified point guard can produce. Without VanVleet, it is indeed difficult for the Rockets to achieve great things relying on Shepard.

So, the Rockets also have an alternative plan B, which is to replace Shepard's position with other point guards. According to NBA reporter Legler, if the Rockets feel that Shepard is not playing ideally, they will take action to strengthen the No. 1 position. Although there is no mention of a trade, it is obvious that it is difficult for Shepard to stay in the team, of course, provided that Shepard's performance in the regular season is not satisfactory.

The Rockets may wait for those contracts to be unfrozen after December 15 before conducting transactions, and Shepard will naturally bear the brunt of the bargaining chip. Shepard's first-round pick, along with other additions, should be able to get the Rockets a starting-level point guard. After all, the Rockets' goal is to compete for the championship, not to enter the playoffs or break through the first round of the playoffs - after all, the 37-year-old Durant is too old, and his career peak may only be two or three years left. If Durant's peak period is wasted at this time, it would be the greatest disrespect for him.

Therefore, if Shepard can play well, there will be no problem staying on the team, and Udoka is even willing to give him a starting position; in other words, if he does not play well, the Rockets have given him so many opportunities, then no wonder the Rockets are "ruthless". The Rockets are very likely to trade Shepard away, and Manager Stone will restart the transaction, strengthen the No. 1 position, and then find a starting-level point guard for the Rockets.

Even if VanVleet returns next season, there will be no conflict between the two point guards at the No. 1 position. Amen Thompson can move to the small forward or power forward position. From this point of view, whether Shepard can be successful in the Rockets depends on his personal strength and personal performance. However, judging from the first game between the Rockets and the Hawks, Shepard is still unsatisfactory.