Houston’s shocking efficiency from deep is undermined by a league-low volume, creating a strategic dilemma that even an all-time great scorer like Durant can’t fully solve.
HOUSTON — Kevin Durant’s arrival in Houston was supposed to transform the Rockets into an offensive juggernaut, and by one measure, he has succeeded spectacularly. The Rockets currently sit atop the NBA as the league’s most accurate three-point shooting team, leading in both pull-up three-point percentage and catch-and-shoot three-point percentage.
Houston Rockets v Toronto Raptors
This marks a stunning reversal for a team that finished in the bottom third of the league in nearly every long-range shooting category last season. The combination of Durant’s generational shooting and the emergence of rookie Reed Sheppard has created an environment of elite efficiency.
However, this remarkable accuracy tells only half the story. A deeper look reveals a concerning paradox: while the Rockets are the NBA’s best shooters, they are also its most reluctant.
Despite their No. 1 ranking in percentage, the Rockets rank a startling 29th in three-point attempts per 100 possessions. They are 19th in catch-and-shoot attempts and 28th in pull-up three-point attempts, suggesting a systemic hesitation to let the ball fly.
Efficiency vs. Volume: A Playoff Trap?
This extreme disparity creates a fascinating strategic identity. The Rockets are a defensive-minded team that thrives on getting inside the paint and trusting their limited attempts to fall. This approach has fueled their strong 8-3 start.
The danger, however, lies in sustainability. In a playoff setting against elite defenses, the paint will be crowded, and the Rockets will be forced to win from the outside. Relying on such a low volume of attempts is a high-wire act, placing immense pressure on every single shot.
Compounding the issue is the likely statistical regression for several key players. Tari Eason is hitting a scorching 50.9% of his threes despite being a 34.3% or worse shooter in two of his last three seasons. Similarly, Alperen Şengün is shooting 45.9% from deep after never establishing himself as a consistent outside threat before this year.
The Verdict: A Work in Progress
Kevin Durant has unequivocally made the Rockets a better and more efficient team. He has solved their problem of poor shooting. But he cannot single-handedly solve the ideology of a team that is philosophically averse to high volume from beyond the arc.
The Rockets’ next evolution—the step that will determine their ceiling as a true contender—is not about making more threes. It’s about having the confidence, and the game plan, to take more of them. For now, even an all-time great scorer like Durant can’t force a team to change its identity overnight.