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Houston Rockets: 3 ways for Kevin Porter Jr. to reach stardom

By N.B. Lindberg

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: Kevin Porter Jr. #3 of the Houston Rockets walks out on court during player introductions prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center on April 10, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: Kevin Porter Jr. #3 of the Houston Rockets walks out on court during player introductions prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center on April 10, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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Kevin Porter Jr. #3 of the Houston Rockets (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
Kevin Porter Jr. #3 of the Houston Rockets (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

The most surprising game of the season was the Houston Rockets 143-136 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Rockets entered the game with the worst record in the league while the Bucks remain a serious threat to not only finish with the best record in the Eastern Conference but also win the NBA championship.

The surprise victory was largely fueled by Kevin Porter Jr’s career night where he dropped 50 points and dished 11 assists on 16 of 26 shooting and 9 of 15 shooting from behind the 3-point line. The soon-to-be 21-year-old has had plenty of ups and downs in his young career but seems to have found a home in Houston.

Porter’s hot night saw him become the fourth-youngest player to score 50 points in a game and the youngest to tack double-digits assists to their 50 point outing. While the Rockets’ season has been an abject failure in the win-loss column, Porter’s emergence as a young franchise centerpiece has been a bright spot.

As great as Porter’s night was he remains a work in progress, as all young players are. His defense is suspect and for him to reach an All-Star level he’ll need to dramatically improve his offensive consistency.

The talent and flashes are there for Kevin Porter Jr to become an offense centerpiece but he’ll need to improve in three key areas to realize his potential. If Porter wants to continue his trajectory as a go-to scorer he’ll need to improve his usage and touch on his floater, his consistency and confidence on step-back threes, and eliminate unnecessary pumps on drives to the basket.

Next: Kevin Porter's upward trajectory

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