Averaged 131 points in 4 games! 2 skill upgrades, the Rockets transformed into an offensive team? Stone has made new achievements

In recent times, the Rockets have played 4 preseason games. Surprisingly, despite missing VanVleet, the core point guard, the Rockets achieved a record of 4 wins and 0 losses, which can be said to be quite impressive. Moreover, the Rockets are now taking more three-pointers, which coincides with Uduka's guidance. Not long ago, Uduka publicly stated in an interview that he hopes the Rockets will shoot more three-pointers in the new season and increase the production and quality of three-pointers.

In fact, the Rockets have indeed transformed into a three-point team. In the four preseason games, they not only took more three-pointers, but also had a particularly high shooting percentage. Compared with the Rockets last season who were not very good at shooting three-pointers, they were completely different teams. The Rockets' lineup adjustments have been huge. When Durant joined, the Rockets gave away Dillon Brooks and Jaylen Green to get him. At the same time, several Rockets rotation players from last season, such as Whitmore, Jason Williams, Landale, etc., have left the team, and none of the two-way contract players remain on the team. The Rockets introduced Capela, Finney Smith, Davidson and other players to supplement the second team.

Now the Rockets rely more on three-point shooting to score. In the four preseason games, the Rockets have improved a lot in three-point shooting compared to last season. In Game 1 against the Hawks, the Rockets shot 41.2% from three-point range. In Game 2, the Rockets defeated the Hawks again, shooting 39.6% from three-point range. In the game against the Jazz, they also shot 38.2% from three-point range.

Only against the Pelicans, the Rockets' three-point shooting percentage was only 30.6%, but that does not blame the Rockets' outside shooters. The main reason is that the big lineup used by Uduka entered the starting lineup. Those shooters did not get many opportunities, so their feel and condition were not good. But in the Rockets' previous three games, their three-point shooting percentage was indeed around 40%.

And the Rockets not only improved their three-point shooting percentage, but their free throw shooting percentage also increased accordingly. Against the Pelicans, the Rockets made 90% of their free throws; in Game 1 against the Hawks, their free throw shooting rate reached 85.7%; in Game 2 against the Hawks, the Rockets' free throw shooting rate reached 89%. Only against the Jazz, the Rockets' free throw shooting rate was 76.7%, which is actually acceptable.

The Rockets had two major shortcomings on the offensive end last season, which were low three-point shooting rate and low free throw shooting rate. Now according to statistics, the Rockets averaged 131 points in four preseason games, and their free throw shooting percentage and three-point shooting percentage are quite impressive. The shortcomings of last season no longer exist, but have become the Rockets' strengths.

The Rockets, whose offensive capabilities were low last season, have transformed into an offensive team in the new season. Averaging 131 points per game in 4 preseason games, the Rockets have indeed made great progress on the offensive end. This is not only because Durant joined, but also because the Rockets' new tactics and new style of play are completely different from last season. Shen Jing has gained more possession of the ball and independent offensive opportunities in the interior, and Durant is a three-point shooter and stable scoring point. The Rockets' shooters, such as Holiday, Shepard, and Smith Jr., also shot stable shooting percentages in the game.

It can only be said that Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has made new achievements, because these players were all selected by him or obtained through transactions. In particular, Durant and Finney Smith acquired during the offseason, as well as the "pie king" Capela inside, and even several two-way contract players Harris and Crawford, as well as the outstanding fourth point guard Davidson, have improved the Rockets' overall offensive firepower.