Ranked 3rd in the league, 50% shooting! Congratulations to the Rockets, the sharpshooter has risen rapidly, and Stone picked the right guy.

In recent seasons, the Rockets have been lacking that kind of top shooter. In fact, even when the Rockets were led by Harden and Paul many years ago, they were able to reach the NBA Western Conference Finals, but they did not have that kind of super shooter in the team. At that time, the Rockets had many players who could shoot three-pointers, such as Gerald Green, Joe Johnson, Ryan Anderson, Tucker, Gordon, Harden and Paul, who could all shoot three-pointers. But in terms of players who were proficient in three-pointers, the Rockets at that time may not have had one player. And now the Rockets finally got a Curry-level three-point shooter, and he is the young Reed Shepard.

As the Rockets' No. 3 overall pick last season, Shepard has made rapid progress and has become the core of the Rockets' second team. Without him, the Rockets may not be able to achieve their current record of 10 wins and 4 losses. Even in the previous game when the Rockets played against the most powerful Nuggets, Shepard scored 27 points and hit 5 three-pointers. After 14 games, although Shepard has not started a game, his three-point shooting percentage per game is as high as 49%, ranking high in the league.

Sheppard's statistics have also gotten better this season. Last season, he averaged only 4.4 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 52 games. This season, his averages have reached 13.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.4 blocks. It can be said that Sheppard should be one of the Rockets' most improved players this season. Even in the entire league, he is also one of the most improved players.

Sheppard's three-point shooting performance is accurate, and there is a set of data to prove it. According to US media statistics, among players in the league who have taken at least 50 three-pointers so far this season, the Rockets' Sheppard ranks third in catch-and-shoot three-point shooting percentage. The first place is Suns shooter Gillespie, who shot 52.7% on catch-and-shoot shots; the second place is Mavericks guard Christie, who shot 51.2% on catch-and-shoot three-pointers; Sheppard ranked third with 50%; fourth place is All-Star Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers, which reached 49.2%.

In other words, Shepard has the ability to hold the ball in hand and make a pull-up jump shot to hit a three-pointer, as well as the ability to catch the ball in the open and shoot a three-pointer. Therefore, he is the best partner for the two star players Shen Jing and Durant. According to previous statistics, when Shepard partnered with Shen Jing and Durant, the Rockets were able to win by 21.6 points per 100 possessions, which is enough to show Shepard's huge role and contribution to the Rockets this season.

The Rockets' sharpshooter Shepard has risen rapidly, which many people did not expect before the season. Everyone thought Shepard would improve, but they didn't expect that he would become the most important player in the Rockets' second lineup in just a dozen games. It can be said that when Manager Stone selected Shepard with the No. 3 pick last season, many people questioned Shepard's size and athletic ability. Last season, Shepard performed poorly and was even taken out of the rotation. Many people believed that Shepard was completely a parallel import.

Now, Shepard has used his performance and his super three-point shooting percentage to once again prove that Manager Stone did not pick the wrong person in last season's draft. Compared with Jaylen Green, the second overall pick of the Rockets that year, Shepard obviously took shape faster. In less than two seasons, he has become an immediate shooter for the Rockets.