Hit rate is only 23%! You must be Jokic, the Rockets request Shin Kyung, and give away leader privileges

In the recent European Championship warm-up match, Shin Kyung's performance was eye-catching. As a young core insider, he still maintained his excellent core strength and confrontation after losing weight, showing impressive basket skills. However, for the Rockets' management, although Shin Kyung's performance is remarkable, there is still a key area that makes them worry - his three-point shooting ability is too poor. The Rockets management urgently hopes that Shin Kyung can develop more stable threats on the outside to adapt to the team's tactical system and championship goals in the new season. The Rockets completed a major deal this offseason to welcome superstar Durant. This brings the team's lineup to a new look, with the starting lineup expected to be composed of Van Vleet (point guard), Durant (shot guard), Jabarry Smith Jr. (small forward), Amen Thompson (power forward) and Shin Kyung (center). However, such a lineup also reveals a potential problem: neither Shin Kyung nor Amen are reliable space pitchers. Rockets reporter Kelly Iko pointed out in a recent report that whether Shin Kyung can significantly improve his three-point shooting ability in the offseason will directly affect the Rockets' offensive firepower in the new season and Durant's space for playing.

Iko analyzed that if the opponent adopts a defensive strategy of shrinking the inside in the new season, shorting Shin Kyung and Amen, and simultaneously launching a pinch-hit attack on Durant, the Rockets' offense may be in trouble. A similar situation happened during Durant's time at the Thunder. At that time, neither Robertson nor Westbrook in the Thunder lineup was a stable three-point threat, which doubled Durant's offensive pressure. Nowadays, the Rockets' lineup structure is somewhat similar to the Thunder, and Shin Kyung and Amen's inefficiency on the outside may become the weak point that the opponent targets.

Therefore, Shin-kyung has developed a three-point shooting ability, which not only opens up space for the team, but also reduces Durant's burden on the offensive end and improves overall offensive efficiency. In order to help Shin Kyung improve his three-point ability, the Rockets management showed great determination in the offseason and almost gave Shin Kyung the leader privileges. According to Iko, the team has sent several coaches to Europe to assist Shin Kyung in special training. In addition, Van Vleet was also designated to travel to Europe to train with Shin Kyung to supervise his progress.

This not only reflects the Rockets' attention to Shin Kyung, but also reflects the team's ambition for the new season. Iko wrote in the report half-jokingly: "Please, Shin Kyung, practice three-pointers seriously! This is too important to us." The improvement of

3-point shooting has become the core requirement of the Rockets for Shin Kyung in the offseason. Shin Kyung has actually been compared with the Nuggets super giant Jokic. Some people think Shin Kyung will become Jokic. After all, Jokic is a Fire Dragon, and Shin Kyung is a Little Fire Dragon. The two have many similarities in the speed of data improvement in the first four years of their careers. Jokic has gradually grown from averaging 9.9 points per game in the rookie season to an all-around center with 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game in the fourth year. Shin Kyung's growth path is also exciting: he averaged 9.6 points per game in the rookie season, and by the third year it has increased to 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5 assists. However, Shen Jing's data fell slightly in the fourth year, averaging 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5 assists per game.

What is even more worrying is that his performance on three-point shooting has almost stagnated and has even regressed. Last season, Shin Kyung's three-point shooting percentage was only 23%, averaging 1.2 shots and 0.3 goals. In contrast, he averaged 1.8 three-pointers per game in the third season, with a shooting percentage of 30%. This means that Shin Kyung's performance in three-point shooting not only failed to improve, but instead hit a career low. In contrast, Jokic, his three-point ability has gradually become a big killer in his career. From averaging 3.4 shots per game (1.2 goals) in the fourth year to averaging 4.7 shots per game (42% shooting percentage), Jokic's three-pointer has become his deadly weapon at a critical moment.

Especially when physical fitness declines or points need to be chased, Jokic's outside shots can often change the trend of the game. Moreover, the Rockets' team has high hopes for Shin Kyung, hoping that he can evolve another time in the new season. Shen Jing's early contract renewal also reflects his value - a five-year, $185 million new contract will take effect next season, and such a price is extremely cost-effective among league centers.

Looking back at the 2021 draft, the Rockets management's emphasis on Shin Kyung can be seen. Stone said the team even considered using multiple first-round picks to trade upwards at the time to ensure Shin Kyung was selected.

Fortunately, Shin Kyung was finally selected by the Rockets at the 16th pick, which is a great investment. Although Shin Kyung's potential and performance have made fans and the team full of expectations, the lack of three-point ability is still his shortcomings and a hidden danger in the Rockets' tactical system. As the new season approaches, the Rockets' offensive burden will fall more on Durant, and whether Shin Kyung's outside threat can take shape will directly determine the team's upper limit. If Shin Kyung-neng improves his three-point shooting percentage through hard training during the offseason, the Rockets' offense will be more three-dimensional and Durant will also gain more room for play.