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__Team Rocket: This is going to soar into the sky! In the just-concluded NBA preseason, the Houston Rockets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans with a score of 118-98. The game was nothing short of a spectacular fireworks display, with the Rockets' young players blooming in unison, brightening up the fans' anticipation for the new season.
Imagine Rockets fans sitting in their seats in anticipation at the Toyota Center in Houston waiting for the team's performance. The arena was full of people, and the air was filled with excitement and tension. When the whistle blew for the start of the game, all eyes were on the field, especially the new face in the number 4 shirt - Oman Shepherd.
At the beginning of the game, Team Rocket was like a sophisticated machine, with every part working perfectly. Jalen Green seems to have turned into a sharp scalpel, cutting through the Pelicans' defense with precision. Every shot he made took the crowd away, and cheers rang through the arena as the ball passed through the net. Dillon Brooks was like a sharpshooter, hitting three-pointers one after another, as if to announce to the world: The future of the Rockets is here!
But what really amazed everyone was the rookie Oman Shepard, who just joined the NBA. Shepard in the first half was like a treasure chest that had been opened, unleashing a steady stream of amazing talent. Every time he breaks through, every pass, every shot he makes, he feels like a future superstar. 4 shots, 100 three-point shots, 9 points, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block, it is like a perfect performance that can only appear in a dream.
Shepard stood on the field, his eyes full of confidence and eagerness. He knew that this was the stage on which he would prove himself to the world. Every time he catches the ball, he seems to hear the beating of his own heart. When he broke through the defense and scored on an easy layup, he felt as if he was flying and flying to the halls of NBA superstars.
The coaching staff on the sidelines watched Shepard's performance with a gleam of joy in their eyes. They exchanged heads and discussed the young man's potential. "Look at his speed and agility, it's like Dwayne Wade when he was younger!" An assistant coach said excitedly. Head coach Udoka nodded, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "If he can maintain this form, we have really picked up a treasure this time." ”
In the second half of the game, Shepherd's form dropped and he missed all 5 shots. But that didn't overshadow his brilliant performance in the first half. A veteran scout commented on the sidelines: "It's normal, rookies always have their ups and downs. The point is that he's shown a lot of potential, and that's the most exciting thing. ”
In his post-game interview, Jalen Green was full of praise for Shepard: "This kid is amazing! He has a very good ball quotient and technique, and he is very humble. I'm sure he'll be a big part of our team. When Shepard heard this, a shy smile appeared on his face: "I still have a lot to learn, and the words of Green's seniors have given me great encouragement." I will continue to work hard and contribute more to the team. ”
This game not only showed Shepard's potential, but also showed the strength of the Rockets as a whole. Jalen Green's 19 points and 6 rebounds, Dillon Brooks' 13 points and 4 rebounds, Shin Jing's 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, every statistic tells the strength of the Rockets. In contrast, although Ingram had 18 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists on 7-of-13 shooting, the Pelicans still looked a little lackluster overall.
The Rockets' victory was more than just an ordinary preseason win. It symbolizes the hope of the Rockets' rebuilding and heralds the dawn of a new era. When you think about it, the Rockets were the bottom team in the league last season, but now they are showing such strength in the preseason, and this huge contrast reminds people of the famous words of "Big Shark" O'Neal: "Don't underestimate the heart of a champion." ”
We can't be too optimistic just because of a pre-season win. After all, the real challenge is still in the regular season and playoffs. The Rockets' young players still need more honing and growth. Shepherd, for example, was excellent in the first half, but the slump in the second half also exposed his physical and mental deficiencies. How to maintain a consistent performance, how to deal with stronger opponents, these are the challenges he needs to face.
From a more macro perspective, the rise of the Rockets also represents a new trend in the NBA league. More and more teams are starting to focus on developing young players, rebuilding their teams through drafts and trades. The Rockets' rebuilding path may be a model for other teams. With patience and wisdom, they have built a young team full of potential step by step.
Looking back at the history of the NBA, we can find a lot of similar examples. For example, in the 2008-2009 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder team also grew into a league powerhouse by cultivating young players such as Durant and Westbrook. Another example is the Memphis Grizzlies in recent years, they also rely on young players such as Morant and Jackson to rise. The Rockets are in a similar situation to those teams back then.
Of course, we also have to see that the Rockets still have a long way to go. The NBA is an extremely competitive league, with new teams rising every season, and established teams not giving up their positions easily. The Rockets need to keep proving themselves in future games and respond to doubts and expectations with victories.
For Shepard, this match was undoubtedly the perfect start. However, his career has only just begun, and there is still a long way to go. He needs to keep working hard to improve his technique and improve his game reading skills. At the same time, he also needs to learn how to deal with losses and setbacks, because in the NBA, it can't always be smooth sailing.
Other young players on the Rockets, such as Jalen Green, Shin Kyung, and others, have also shown great potential. They need to continue to run in and form a more tacit cooperation. At the same time, they also need to learn how to step up and take on more responsibility when it matters most. Only then can the Rockets truly become an awesome powerhouse.
For the Rockets' management and coaching staff, the challenge is how to balance short-term interests with long-term development. They need to give their young players plenty of room to grow, but at the same time make sure the team's record is not too bad. It takes a lot of wisdom and courage to make the right decisions at critical moments.
Returning to the game itself, we have to sigh that the performance of the Rockets is truly amazing. They were full of offensive firepower and defended quite well. Especially in the second quarter, the Rockets once expanded the difference to 19 points, and this overwhelming advantage reminded people of the Rockets led by the "little giant" Yao Ming.
We also have to see that the Pelicans did not field an all-out lineup in this game. Zion Williamson's absence has undoubtedly affected the Pelicans' ability to play. Therefore, while we cheer for Team Rocket, we must also keep a clear head and not get carried away by a momentary victory.
For the Pelicans, the loss was certainly a wake-up call. They need to reflect on their own problems in the game, especially the holes in the defensive end. At the same time, they also need to think about how to get the most out of other players in Zion's absence. Ingram is doing well, but he alone isn't enough.
The game was also a wake-up call for other NBA teams. The rise of the Rockets means that the landscape of the league may be changing. Those teams that were originally considered "fish belly" could burst out at any time with amazing strength. Every team needs to be vigilant at all times and not take it lightly.
For the NBA league, the rise of a rookie team like the Rockets will undoubtedly breathe new life into the league. It will make the game more exciting and give the fans more to look forward to. At the same time, it will also push other teams to improve and improve their own strength, which is good for the development of the whole league.
Finally, let's focus on Shepard again. The young man's performance is reminiscent of another Chinese player who used to play for the Rockets - Zhou Qi. Zhou Qi also joined the Rockets with great expectations, but ultimately failed to gain a foothold in the NBA. Whether Shepard can avoid Zhou Qi's fate and successfully put down roots in the NBA will be a topic worth paying attention to.
This game showed us a team full of hope and energy for the Rockets. They are young, talented, and passionate. They can make mistakes, they can have setbacks, but they also have endless possibilities. As one fan wrote on social media: "Looking at this Rockets team, it's like seeing hope. Maybe tomorrow, they will become the new rulers of the Union. ”
So, what do you think the Rockets can achieve in the new season? Can Shepard continue his impressive run and become a strong contender for Rookie of the Season? Let's wait and see how this young Rockets team performs in the new season!
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