Rockets season preview player chapter: Shin Kyung is rushing to the best lineup level? Can Ethan get a fat appointment?

Review of last season

The Rockets mainly rotated eight people last season. Due to Jaylen Green and Dillon's departure, Van Vreet suffered a serious injury from a torn ACL, which may be reimbursed for the season. This article focuses on the performance of the remaining 5 people.

Shen Kyung received his first important honor to enter the NBA last season and was selected as an All-Star for the first time in his career. His performance is worthy of being selected. He played 76 regular season games, averaged 31.4 minutes per game, scored 19.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.8 blocks, shot 49.6%, three-point shooting percentage 23.3%, and free throw shooting percentage 69.2%.

In the first round of the playoffs, Shin Kyung averaged 36.6 minutes per game, scoring 20.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals, shooting percentage of 45% and three-point shooting percentage of 37.5%.

Amen grew up very quickly after entering the league. Last season, as a sophomore, he became the team's main striker, playing in 69 regular season games, averaging 32.2 minutes per game, scoring 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks, shooting percentage of 55.7% and three-point shooting percentage of 27.5%; in 7 playoffs, averaging 33 minutes per game, scoring 15.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals, shooting percentage of 49.4% and 25% of three-point shooting percentage.

Adams was the team's main interior substitute last season, playing in 57 regular season games, averaging 13.7 minutes per game, scoring 3.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, and shooting percentage of 54.5%. He played in 7 games in the playoffs, averaging 22.1 minutes per game, scoring 5.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks, with a shooting percentage of 60%. The data actually cannot reflect Adams' role in the team. His height, strength, experience, defense, and rebounds can all provide great help to the team.

Jabari Smith started 39 games last season and served as a substitute in the playoffs. He played 57 regular season games for the Rockets throughout the season, averaging 12.2 points, 7 rebounds and 1.1 assists per 30.2 minutes per game, shooting 43.8% and 35.4% of three-pointers; he made 7 appearances in the playoffs, averaged 7.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per 20.4 minutes per game, shooting 50% and 45.5% of three-pointers.

Ethan is another forward player of the team. He played 57 games last season, averaging 24.9 minutes per game, scoring 12.0 points (48.7% shooting percentage and 34.2% three-point shooting percentage), 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals; he played 7 games in the playoffs, averaging 18.9 minutes per game, scoring 7.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals, shooting 47.7% and 36.8% of three-pointers.

Milestone Outlook

Durant hit 32,000 points. KD's current career total score is 30,571 points, ranking 8th in the NBA's historical scoring list. He scored 1,647 points last season. If this momentum is maintained, he is expected to unlock 32,000 points in the new season.

In NBA history, only James, Jabbar, Carl Malone, Kobe and Jordan have scored more than 32,000 points in their careers, and Durant is expected to become the 6th man in the new season. KD is also the only player who has the opportunity to challenge the 32,000-point club in the new season. Harden is the only player behind him in total scores. The bearded man currently has 27,687 points, and he is still a certain distance from 32,000.

The aspects that can be improved

Shin Kyung, Amen, Shepard's three points. Shin Kyung made 23.3% of three-point shooting percentage last season and Amen 27.5%, which has a lot of room for improvement. Both players also practiced three-pointers this summer. Shin Kyung averaged 2.4 three-pointers per game in the European Championship this summer, with a shooting percentage of 31.8%. Amen also said in an interview recently that his confidence in three-pointers has increased.

Shepard shot 33.8% from three-pointers last season, which is much different from his performance when he was in college. He shot excellently in college and his three-point shooting percentage in his freshman season was as high as 52.1%. Of course, last season was Shepard's rookie season, and it took time for a rookie to adapt to the NBA. After a year of adaptation and adjustment, Shepard had the opportunity to re-show his shooting style in the new season.

Contract Situation Inventory

The Rockets have completed contract renewal and early renewal with many players this summer. After some operations, most of the players' contract conditions are relatively stable. After Jabbarry Smith's five-year and 122 million yuan in advance, there are still 6 years left in total contract length, Adams has been renewed for 3 years and 39 million yuan in three years and 1+1 contract renewal (the second year player option), and Taylor, Holiday and Jeff Green were retained for one year's minimum salary. In addition, the Rockets introduced Capela in three years and 52.71 million in four years (there is no guarantee in the last two years, and there is a player option in the fourth year). The two players in the team have the issue of renewal, Durant and Ethan.

The Rockets spent a lot of money to trade for Durant this summer. The Rockets are also one of the teams Durant is willing to join this summer. At present, both sides are interested in long-term cooperation. Durant's contract has 54.7 million yuan left in one year, which creates a need for early renewal.

According to the labor-management agreement, KD can currently sign a contract of up to 122 million yuan for two years. Jake Fischer, a famous outdoor stand reporter, previously reported that the two parties will sign an early contract renewal.

Ethan is also the first round pick in the 2022 year, and he has not renewed his contract with the Rockets in advance.. Ethan performed well last season, playing 57 games in the regular season, averaging 24.9 minutes per game, scoring 12.0 points (48.7% shooting percentage and 34.2% three-point shooting percentage), 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals; he played 7 games in the playoffs, averaging 18.9 minutes per game, scoring 7.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals, shooting 47.7% and 36.8% of three-pointers, giving him the capital to fight for a big contract. Smith signed a five-year, 122 million yuan contract, which is also an inspiration for him.

The Rockets' salary pressure will be quite high in the next three years. Shen Jing's five-year 185 million contract will take effect in the new season, Jabbarri Smith's five-year 122 million 26-27 season will take effect. Durant's salary will be high in the next three years. The team's new signing or renewal of the contract this summer is also not low. After Amen's new season, he will also have an issue of renewing the contract in advance next summer. These things may be considered by the Rockets management when renewing Ethan's contract. Ethan is just the team's substitute power forward, and is it necessary to take out a contract of RMB 100 million in the substitute power forward position? This is a question worth thinking about.

If the Rockets and Ethan do not reach an early renewal before the start of the regular season, the problem will be resolved until next summer, and Ethan is a restricted free agent at that time.

Players worth paying attention to

Shin Kyung evolved from the All-Star level to the best team level?

Durant no longer needs to prove anything. He is undoubtedly the team's most worthy thigh in the new season. In contrast, what is more worthy of attention in the team is another star Shin Kyung, who will perform. The new season may be a year when Shin Kyung moved from the All-Star level to the best team player. His performance in the European Championship has already made a good start, averaging 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game, leading the Turkish men's basketball team to the finals. With Van Vreet falling, the team also needs Shin Kyung to play his comprehensive advantage.

After experiencing the glory of the European Championships, Shin Kyung's nickname has changed from "Little Jokic" to "Shin Kyung's dad". Now, he has the opportunity to let this new nickname come from the European arena to the NBA and become "Shin Kyung's dad" in the NBA arena.

Shepard made significant progress?

As last year's Tanhua show, Shepard obviously had high expectations, but he did not shine in the NBA last season, playing 52 games, averaging 12.6 minutes per game, scoring 4.4 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists, shooting 35.1%, and 33.8% of three-pointers. However, last season was just Shepard's rookie season, so you should not be too harsh on a rookie.

The new season will be Shepard's second year. After a year of adaptation and adjustment, can he make significant progress? The team's current back line is short of people. Can he stand out? These are all worth paying attention to.

Amen stays on the front line or goes to the back line?

In terms of filling the vacancy of Van Vritte, the Rockets have more than one choice. They can promote Shepard or push Amen to the back line. At present, it is more likely to push Amen to the back line. On the one hand, it is because the Rockets are in the championship mode now, and the record is important to the team. Spending a lot of time to train Shepard, let him accumulate experience through the game, and grow up in mistakes is not practical. On the other hand, it is because the team is now in a strong front line and has a large number of people, so Amen is allowed to play as a defender. On the other hand, there are Durant, Finney Smith, Jabbarry Smith Jr., Ethan, and Jeff Green.

However, what kind of form the Rockets will be after the start of the new season depends on Uduka's consideration.