NBA New Season Team Preview: Rockets – Third Pick Shepard Becomes Perfect Addition as Space City Aims for Playoff Push

The new NBA season is about to kick off, and today we introduce one of the most watched teams in the West—the Houston Rockets.

Last season review:

The Rockets brought in experienced players like VanVleet and Brooks last season, achieving a breakthrough with a record of 41 wins and 41 losses, which was the best result since Harden’s departure. Although they missed the playoffs again, the Rockets saw hope in the growth of Sengun and Jalen Green. Under Udoka’s leadership, the team ranked 9th in defensive efficiency. In the second half of last season, they even won an impressive 11-game streak, boosting their confidence significantly.

Offseason changes:

Compared to last year’s active moves, this offseason has been relatively quiet for the Rockets, with not many changes except for drafting Shepard with the third pick. This is a perfect addition for the Rockets. Standing at 1.88 meters, Shepard is a two-way guard with precise shooting, good passing, and solid defense. Last season, he averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists with a three-point shooting percentage of 52.1% while playing for Kentucky University. His addition has made the Rockets more promising.

In addition to bringing in Shepard, the Rockets also traded multiple draft picks with the Nets. At that time, there were speculations that the Rockets were pursuing Durant, but unfortunately, he had no intention of leaving. However, with multiple first-round picks, the Rockets could still make moves during the season to pursue unhappy stars.

New season outlook:

At the media day of the new season, both Rockets head coach Udoka and veteran VanVleet talked about the team’s goal—making it to the playoffs. The current Rockets have a good chance. Since Udoka took over, the changes in the Rockets have been noticeable. Every player has found their role, and with another year of experience, young players have improved their on-court decision-making and experience.

The Rockets’ roster includes the potential star Shepard. Players who were injured last season, such as Ison and Adams, have all returned, providing sufficient depth in the frontcourt. Udoka even hinted at using a twin-tower lineup in the training camp. Moreover, the Rockets chose not to extend early contracts to Sengun and Jalen Green this summer, a wise move that requires them to continue to give their all, so the team will be willing to offer max contracts.

With the addition of Shepard, the Rockets now have the “Seven Sons”—Jalen Green, Sengun, Little Smith, Amen Thompson, Ison, Whitmore, and Shepard, all with high talent. Making the playoffs is no longer an unreachable goal for them.

Predicted starting lineup:

VanVleet, Jalen Green, Brooks, Little Smith, Sengun

Regular season ranking prediction:

8th to 10th in the West