17 of 37 shots! Doubled his shooting percentage. Who says he can t make three-pointers? The Rockets really got a superstar.

The Rockets easily defeated the Trail Blazers 140-116 at home and won three consecutive victories. They also ushered in their eighth victory of the season. Their current record is 8 wins and 3 losses, ranking at the forefront of the Western Conference. This big win not only demonstrated the Rockets' strong offensive firepower, but also highlighted their resilience and depth as the team faces multiple challenges. In particular, the core point guard Van Jordan was reimbursed for the season, and the team lacked a traditional organizational core; at the same time, it will take time for Durant to join and rebuild the chemical reaction. But from the current point of view, the Rockets' teamwork is already smooth. Without Van Jordan's connection, Shen Jing, Amen Thompson and Durant took turns organizing the offense without any chaos.

In particular, Shen Jing's comprehensive evolution this season has become the biggest contributor to the Rockets' bright start. He has transformed from his three-point weakness last season into an efficient killer, and his near-triple-double against the Trail Blazers is even more amazing. If Shen Jing continues to play like this, then on draft night in 2021, the Rockets will select Shen Jing with the second pick, and Jaylen Green will be equivalent to the 16th pick, which may be a more reasonable script. Since his rookie year, Shen Jing has shown potential like a super giant, and he is making steady progress towards becoming the next Jokic. Shen Jing played 36 minutes today, shooting 9 of 13, 4 of 6 three-pointers, 3 of 4 free throws, scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, plus 3 steals and 3 blocks, with a plus-minus of +21, which perfectly explained Shen Jing's dominance of the game.

Shen Jing's near triple-double (one assist shy) is not only a personal performance, but also the epitome of the Rockets system. Without Van Jordan, a traditional point guard, the Rockets' offense should have been in chaos, but the three people of Shen Jing, Amen and Durant took turns organizing, making the team's chemical reaction exceed expectations. As a center, Shin Kyung has the vision and passing skills of a defender. When playing in the low post, he can attract double teams, and then accurately distribute the ball to open shooters on the outside; when supporting in the high post, he can read the defense like Jokic and send out wonderful passes. As a young guard, Amen Thompson is fierce on the defensive end and can also play a role in organizing the offense; Durant relies on his experience to stabilize the situation at critical moments. The three have a clear division of labor, and the Rockets' offensive fluency is no worse than last season. Ranked first in the league in offensive efficiency so far this season.

This is due to coach Uduka's tactical adjustments. He emphasizes attacking from multiple points and avoids relying on a single point guard. Van Jordan's reimbursement was a huge blow, but the Rockets saved the day and even played more balanced basketball. What’s even more surprising is Shen Jing’s evolution this season. Last season, Shen Jing's three-point shooting was an obvious shortcoming. He made only 12 of 90 three-pointers throughout the season, with a dismal shooting rate of 23.3%. This makes him often left open when facing extended defenses, limiting the offensive space. But this season, Shen Jing has obviously worked hard. Currently, he has made 17 of 37 three-pointers, with a shooting percentage of 46%. This is not a small sample luck, but a combination of production and efficiency. This is a reflection of Shenjing’s technological improvement. Compared with last season, Shen Jing's shots are more confident, his posture is more standard, and his shooting arc is softer.

In the game against the Trail Blazers, 4 of 6 three-pointers were the best proof. Two of the three-pointers came from the high post, directly punishing the Blazers' shrinking defense. Shen Jing's overall statistics have also gone up: so far this season, he has averaged 22.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and a shooting percentage of 50.3%. Both points and assists hit career highs, and rebounds stabilized at a double-double level. What's even more frightening is that his defensive end is also improving, averaging 1.22 steals and 1 block per game, and his ability to protect the inside frame is excellent. Looking back on Shen Jing's growth trajectory, he has shown great potential since his rookie year. In 2021, the Rockets selected him with the 16th pick from the Thunder. At that time, many people questioned his athletic ability and three-pointers. But Shen Jing slapped critics in the face with practical actions.

In his rookie season, Shen Jing averaged 9.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, showing his low-post skills and passing talent. It jumped to 14.8 points and 9.0 rebounds in the second year, and went even further in the third year. This season, he is already the core of the Rockets and the team leader. Although Jaylen Green, as the second overall pick in 2021, should have been the cornerstone of the team, his development curve was ups and downs, and he was eventually sent to the Suns by the Rockets for Durant. Compared to Green who stayed put, Shen Jing gave people the feeling of a "super giant embryo" from the first year. His basketball IQ is ridiculously high, his low-post footwork is like Olajuwon's, his high-post passing is like Jokic's, and he can also contribute steals and blocks on the defensive end. Jokic also started as a second-round pick and gradually evolved into an MVP; Shen Jing's trajectory is similar, but the starting point is higher.

The rise of Shen Jing also makes the future of the Rockets full of imagination. After Durant joined, the team's lineup was unprecedentedly deep: the season started with 8 wins and 3 losses. Although Durant's star effect was there, Shen Jing's stable output was the cornerstone. If he maintains a 46% three-point shooting rate, averaging a triple-double per game is just around the corner. Of course, the season is still long, and the Rockets face challenges from powerful Western Conference opponents such as the Thunder and Nuggets. Durant needs more time to adapt, and young players such as Amen and Sheppard also need to grow. But with the current situation, the Rockets have transformed from a team that was eliminated in the first round last season to a favorite to compete for the championship. If Shen Jing continues to play like this, maybe the next Jokic will quietly emerge in Houston. Rockets fans have reason to expect that a new era of inside dominance is taking shape