2 of 3 three-pointers in 2 games! Are the Rockets dual-core shooters? Skill shortcomings no longer exist, aiming for the All-Stars

The Rockets played two preseason games in three days, defeating the Hawks and Jazz respectively. The Jazz are still a weak team in the Western Conference, and they only have Markkanen as a star. After losing Sexton and Clarkson this year, their overall strength does not seem to have improved much. They are still in the rebuilding period, and the rebuilding time may take two or three years.

For the Hawks, they are now a strong team in the Eastern Conference. After acquiring players such as Kennard, Porzingis, and Dante, the strength of this team has increased a lot. The Rockets defeated both teams. It can be said that the Rockets are stronger, and the Rockets basically played in the second game: Durant did not play in the first game, and he took the initiative to take a rest; in the second game, Adams did not play, and the Rockets still easily defeated their opponents.

Winning two games is normal for the Rockets, but the two core players of the Rockets, Shen Jing and Amen Thompson, showed different changes in the game. We know that the biggest problem between Shen Jing and Amen Thompson last season was that they were not good at shooting, especially their long-range shooting ability.

Amen Thompson's three-point shooting percentage last season was only 28%. As the core defender of the Rockets, such a three-point shooting percentage is really unachievable. Although Amen Thompson's three-point shooting has been improving, he didn't take many shots last season, and his shooting percentage was not good enough. Shen Jing is even more difficult. Although he is an extremely good center and passer, his three-point shooting ability is extremely poor. As the main center last season, Shen Jing's three-point shooting rate in the Rockets' regular season was only 23%.

We have also seen the changes in Shen Jing. In the European Championships, Shen Jing led the team to win the silver medal, and Shen Jing's three-point shooting rate was over 35%. In this case, Shen Jing has become an excellent big shooter. In the previous two preseason games, Shen Jing took three three-pointers and hit two; the same was true for Amen Thompson, who made 2 of 3 three-pointers. Their three-point shooting rate was as high as 66%. This is definitely what the Rockets want to see most.

Many experts have said that once Amen Thompson can practice shooting, especially three-pointers, he will become an All-Star defender. Shen Jing's biggest shortcoming now is no longer defense, but the stability of his shooting. If the three-point shooting can be maintained above 35%, then Shen Jing will truly become Jokic's biggest competitor next season.

In the two preseason games, we saw Shen Jing who was very comfortable in the paint and could score easily. We also saw Shen Jing's dominance on the defensive end. He even sent 4 steals in the game against the Jazz. This also shows that he is more flexible and can judge the ball's route more accurately. Moreover, Shen Jing is also a good inside basket protector and rebounder.

Now, if Shen Jing and Amen Thompson can improve their shortcomings-three-point shooting, then the Rockets will definitely have a better record next season. Now, at least judging from these two games, the Rockets' dual-core - Shen Jing and Amen Thompson, who were not very good at shooting three-pointers in the past, have truly evolved into shooters.

Although the sample size of the two games is relatively small, judging from the two's confidence in three-pointers, the Rockets should indeed believe in them and give them more opportunities to take shots. If the two can maintain a three-point shooting rate of more than 35% in the new season, then coupled with their already strong personal strength, it is entirely possible for both of them to be selected for the All-Star lineup at the same time in the new season.