Houston Rockets: 4 Encouraging signs that prove hot start is sustainable

Houston Rockets Fred VanVleet (Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports)
Houston Rockets Fred VanVleet (Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports)
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Houston Rockets Jalen Green
Houston Rockets Jalen Green (Green Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

Trend No. 2: A good 3-point shooting team

Another encouraging sign that the Houston Rockets should feel good about is the fact that they’re a pretty good 3-point shooting team. At the very least, they’re above average. And in the new NBA, 3-point shooting is what generally drives good offenses. If the Rockets can continue to be a good 3-point shooting team, they’re going to have the opportunity to have an above-average offense for the rest of the year.

The Rockets shoot the 3-ball at a 37 percent clip through the first nine games of the season. That puts them ranked 9th in the NBA. On the flip side, the Rockets are only 18th in 3-point attempts. But that has more to do with the team’s overall offensive philosophy and their personnel. The question is, will the 3-point well eventually run dry? And if so, can the team’s 11th-ranked offense remain operational?

Dillon Brooks is shooting 50-plus percent from 3, Jae’Sean Tate is also shooting 40-plus percent from 3-point range, and Tari Eason is shooting 43 percent from deep. Those three players’ history suggests that those numbers may not be sustainable. That’s surely something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks.