Scoring 29 points with five three-pointers, the Rockets have their own "Curry"; the team is focusing on developing him because his potential is extremely high.

For many Rockets supporters, this season is truly one to look forward to. The team is likely to perform well and could possibly make it to the championship stage. This is not just hype—when you closely examine the Rockets' roster, you realize they are not intimidated by any team in the league. In fact, compared directly to last season’s defending champions, the Thunder, they are confident in every position, and their interior presence might even be stronger.

Perhaps the only concern for many Rockets fans is that VanVleet’s injury might impact the team’s start to the new season. However, from recent preseason games, this worry seems to be alleviated. Currently, Shepard’s overall performance is outstanding; he is fully capable of taking on the starting point guard role for the new season. In today’s game against the Hawks, Shepard scored 29 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished out 6 assists, along with 4 steals and 3 blocks, including five made three-pointers.

It feels like Shepard has undergone a transformation this season. He is beginning to truly showcase his skill set. It’s well known that Shepard was picked third in the first round largely because of his excellent shooting touch. His three-point shooting is exceptional. Last season, due to limited physicality on the court and being targeted defensively, his playing time was minimal, and he didn’t really get a chance to prove himself. During the offseason, he added strength training, increasing his muscle mass significantly. This improved his physicality and boosted his confidence on the court, allowing his three-point shooting ability to gradually emerge.

In the preseason, Shepard has consistently shot over 40% from beyond the arc, averaging nearly 2.8 made three-pointers per game. Keep in mind, these stats come from just about 23 minutes of playing time per game. Therefore, Shepard is truly one of the Rockets players that many fans are most excited about this season. He has a real chance to make a huge leap. If he can maintain his preseason three-point shooting volume and accuracy, it would be like the Rockets having their own "Curry."

If Shepard seizes the opportunity to prove himself during VanVleet’s injury absence, the team will likely commit to developing him further. Once he adapts to the intensity of the regular season, his ceiling is extremely high. Shooting is one of the hardest skills to master, and Shepard has a natural talent for it. Given the current trends in basketball, his potential is undoubtedly vast.