Averaged 16+3+2 per game! Another Curry, everyone said he was a parallel import, but the Rockets proved to be worth the money.

The NBA Cup group stage continues in full swing, with the Rockets facing the Trail Blazers at home. In the end, the Rockets easily defeated their opponents 140-116 at the end of the game, ushering in a hearty victory. This victory not only gave the Rockets a valuable three-game winning streak, but also allowed them to complete a gorgeous turn in just one game after their previous five-game winning streak was ended by the Spurs and continue to advance in the Western Conference. Currently, the Rockets' record is updated to 8 wins and 3 losses, ranking third in the Western Conference because the Warriors defeated the Spurs. For a team that suffered the reimbursement of core defender Van Jordan (VanVleet) at the beginning of the season, it is not easy for the Rockets to have such a brilliant start without their "engine" in the traditional sense.

The rise of the young Rockets team is inseparable from the combined efforts of several key factors, and the sudden awakening of one of the new stars has become the absolute X factor for the recent winning streak - he is Reed Shepard. The quarterback's long pass to Durant in the first quarter today was a bit like Harden Paul. Then he can fire three-pointers from the outside. When the Rockets needed to score in the final quarter, Shepard killed the game with a three-pointer, a mid-range shot, a layup, and a death-wound defensive steal. After the game, Rockets coach Uduka could not hide his joy. He emphasized that the team's execution and the growth of young players are the keys to victory. But of all the highlights, Sheppard's performance was undoubtedly the most eye-catching.

In this game, Shepard came off the bench and contributed 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and an astonishing 4 steals in 26 minutes. He made 5 of 12 shots from the field. His steal data was particularly eye-catching. Four steals directly disrupted the Blazers' offensive rhythm, providing a steady stream of motivation for the Rockets' fast-break counterattacks. Compared to the stars in the starting lineup, Sheppard's role is more like an "invisible killer". His enthusiasm on the defensive end and decisive decision-making on the offensive end make it difficult for the Blazers to guard against. In the past four games, Sheppard's explosion has reached its peak: averaging 26.5 minutes per game, he scored 16.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.8 steals, shooting 58.1% from the field, and a terrifying 53.3% from the three-point range. These statistics are simply phenomenal for a rookie. It's not just a pile of numbers, it's a true portrayal of Shepard's overwhelming self-confidence.

The rise of the Rockets is not accidental, but is built on several core pillars. First of all, what must be mentioned is the team's "troika"-Durant, Shen Jing and Amen Thompson. These three have become the absolute core of the Rockets' offensive organization without Van Jordan. Each has independent scoring ability and the vision to connect teammates. As the league's top scorer, Durant played 35 minutes in this game, making 12 of 19 shots and 3 of 6 three-pointers. He easily scored 30 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. His mid-range jumpers and unanswerable pull-ups made the Blazers' defense useless. Shen Jing continues to play the role of the "European Magician" in the interior, creating countless opportunities for his teammates with his excellent support and low-post singles. Amen's athletic ability and defensive intensity make the Rockets' wings full of energy.

The combined efforts of the three Rockets not only allowed the team's offense to bloom more, but also perfectly filled the organizational void in the absence of Van Jordan. Without the traditional point guard, the Rockets played more fluid team basketball, which benefited from Uduka's tactical system that emphasized running without the ball and quick conduct. However, as Uduka said in an interview with the media after the game, Shepard's rise is the "X factor" in the recent winning streak.

Dukka analyzed Shepard's growth trajectory in detail: "When we had many players absent last season, Shepard played several wonderful performances, and he did not hesitate at that time; we hope that he will maintain this state and not lose to any opponent on the field, and do not have to take a back seat. His offensive threat can create more opportunities for his teammates."

Uduka's words hit the nail on the head. As a rookie last season, Shepard shone during the wave of injuries. At that time, he dared to take action and confront, and was never afraid of his seniors. This season, with Van Jordan's retirement, Sheppard got more playing time, and his self-confidence soared like a rocket. In the past few games, his steals and three-point shooting percentage have directly improved the team's defensive counterattack efficiency. Imagine how much pressure a player who can contribute nearly 17 points and nearly 3 steals in 26 minutes will bring to his opponent? Sheppard's offensive threat not only opened up space, but also shared a lot of firepower for Durant and Shen Jing. If Sheppard can continue to perform like this, his ceiling will be endlessly intriguing. Some people say that he is the Rockets' "self-developed Curry" - the boldness and accuracy of his three-point shot are like a primary school student shooting at will outside the arena.

At the lower end, he is a Nash-style organizational master, with extremely low error control and wide passing vision; a more exaggerated statement is that he is a combination of Curry and Paul, with both deadly outside firepower and veteran-like calmness and connection ability. These are not groundless rumors. So far this season, Sheppard has played in 11 games, averaging 22.4 minutes per game, contributing 12.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. He made only 1.4 turnovers. His overall shooting rate was 48.5% and his three-point shooting rate was as high as 47.7%. These statistics stand out among rookies in the league and are even comparable to some All-Star substitutes. His turnover rate is as low as 1.4, which shows that he can still remain rational in high-pressure environments, which is the hallmark of a Paul-style point guard. The 47.7% three-point shooting rate is a harbinger of Curry-style shooting.

Sheppard's growth trajectory reminds people of the Rockets' team-building philosophy. After Uduka took office, he emphasized discipline, defense and youth. Van Jordan's absence was originally a crisis, but it turned into an opportunity. It forces the team to tap into the potential within, and Sheppard is the brightest among them. This year, with the accumulation of experience, his defensive reading ability and shooting touch have improved to a higher level. Of course, the Rockets' 8-3 start wasn't perfect.. The Western Conference is fiercely competitive, and the Spurs' loss reminded the team that any slack may come at a cost. But as this 140-116 victory showed, the Rockets have rebounded from the bottom. At least those who said that Shepard was a parallel import prospect have been silenced. Shepard proved that the Rockets selected him as a value for money.