There is a high probability that the Rockets last starting player will be him. His diversity brings more possibilities.

This season, the Rockets' biggest shortcoming is the point guard. When starting point guard VanVleet was injured, resulting in a season reimbursement, the Rockets' biggest obstacle to the championship surfaced.

In the Rockets' first two preseason games, Uduka's response was to let Amen take on the important task of holding and controlling the ball through the half. After halftime, the ball was handed over to Shen Jing, who took on the important tasks of organization, connection and card distribution. Shen Jing took on the responsibility of organizing the center.

When Shen Jing is on the court, the Rockets' overall integrity appears to be better. Shen Jing can attract and contain on the offensive end. Shen Jing can bring open opportunities to teammates. Shen Jing can also pass to the best open teammates. For this reason, the Rockets have strengthened their cutting and counter-running to maximize the benefits of Shen Jing's passing. Therefore, when Shen Jing is on the court, the Rockets' game perception is very smooth.

So, when Shen Jing was not on the court, the Rockets' teamwork and integrity were greatly reduced. So how did Uduka respond and deal with it?

From the current point of view, Uduka has prepared three plans, namely, Amen plays the point guard in the substitute transition period, Shepard plays the point guard, and JD Davison, who has a two-way contract with the Rockets, plays the point guard.

During the period when the three played point guard, JD Davison played the most amazingly. As a player with a two-way contract, he was very experienced in handling and controlling the ball. His three-point shooting was relatively good, at least much higher than his career average three-point shooting rate, making him the best choice for the third team point guard.

Since J.D. Davidson’s status in the team is not high, lower than Aaron Holiday and Shepard, the Rockets’ point guard during most of the transition period is led by Shepard.

Sheppard was the Rockets' starting point guard in the first two games. However, in these two games, the Rockets faced a situation of incomplete personnel. In the first preseason game against the Hawks, Durant was suspended, and in the second game against the Jazz, Adams was suspended. Coupled with Finney Smith and Tate who have been injured, Sheppard's starting position is not so stable.

According to Rockets coach Uduka, the Rockets have identified four starting players, namely Shen Jing + Durant + Smith + Amen Thompson. The last starting player is likely to be between Finney Smith, Ethan and Shepard.

In the starting stage of the Rockets, the most needed space points, ball holding points, and ball handling points are needed, and these three points need to be randomly switched at different stages. Finney Smith does not have the ability to handle and hold the ball, and Ethan's space points and ball handling abilities are not too strong. From the current point of view, the last position in the Rockets' starting lineup should be Shepard.

First, when Amen Thompson breaks through with the ball, Shen Jing handles the ball, and Shepard plays without the ball, Shepard can bear the responsibility of space points. In the first two games of the preseason, Shepard's three-pointers were 1 of 4 and 2 of 4 respectively. Although the three-point shooting rate is not high, Shepard's shooting is not low. Shepard has obviously adjusted compared to his poor shooting state last season.

When Shen Jing and Amen Thompson are resting, Shepard is responsible for controlling movement and organizing. Compared with last season, Shepard’s biggest change is that his offensive breakthrough power is more lethal than last season. The aggressiveness of the offense makes it possible for opponents to shrink. In addition, Shepard’s passing is online. At this stage, his passing and vision are still better than Amen Thompson.

Judging from the first two preseason games, Shepard at least plays like a player in the NBA rotation. Although there is still a long way to go to qualify as a starting point guard, Shepard's draft pick, Shepard's basketball acumen, and Shepard's lethality after gaining muscle, and Shepard's adjustment ability, all add to the imagination of becoming the starting point guard in the Rockets in the future.

Shepard's defense has improved significantly compared to last season. Last season, he was often targeted by the opponent. In the two games of the preseason, Shepard was targeted less frequently. In each game, Shepard's sizing up the ball appeared. Cutting to the opponent in exchange for the ball, in the preseason game when the Rockets defeated the Jazz, Shepard contributed 2 blocks, the highest on the team. With Shepard's height and size, having such data shows that Shepard's golf intelligence and judgment must be very good.

From the current point of view, there is a high probability that Uduka will make Shepard the starting point guard in the new season. However, there is a high probability that in the starting stage, Shepard will not be allowed to assume the responsibility of point guard and will serve more as a space point. In the transition period of the bench, Shepard will be allowed to carry the important task of organization and series. At least with the Rockets' current staffing, Amen's passing Control and organization are far from meeting expectations. Although Shepard has not lived up to his draft pick's expected performance, his overall view on the spot, and his vision of the ball, in the short term, Shepard is still significantly better than Amen Thompson. However, Shepard's training cycle and time may be longer, and there may still be a certain chance of making mistakes and a growth cycle.