The Houston Rockets have the talent to contend, but its latest addition might be the key to making its young stars even harder to stop.

The Rockets hired Chip Engelland over the off-season, better known as the “Shot Doctor,” to help address one of their biggest offensive weaknesses: shooting. His most important assignments could be Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, two talented players whose shaky jumpers became a problem during Houston’s 2026 playoff run.

Sengun shot 30.5% from three-point range and 69.1% from the free-throw line during the 2025-26 regular season. Thompson, meanwhile, posted an abysmal 21.6% from beyond the arc. Those numbers make it easier for opposing defenses to sag off them, clog the paint, and limit their opportunities to attack the basket.

That weakness became particularly noticeable when Kevin Durant was unavailable during the playoffs. Without his scoring and ability to draw defensive attention, Houston needed more offensive production from its other stars. Instead, opponents had less reason to worry about Sengun and Thompson hurting them from the perimeter.

That is where Engelland comes in. The veteran assistant spent 17 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs – where he and Houston head coach Ime Udoka worked together – before joining the Oklahoma City Thunder, winning three NBA championships across those stops. His reputation was built partly on helping players improve their shooting mechanics, most notably Kawhi Leonard, who developed into a dangerous perimeter scorer after entering the league with questions about his jumper.

Engelland’s approach is not about completely rebuilding every player’s shot. Instead, he identifies specific flaws and makes adjustments tailored to each individual. He has already started working with Houston’s young stars, offering Sengun advice on maintaining his balance during free throws and telling Thompson to make his jumper smoother and avoid coming up short.

For Sengun, improving his shooting could make him even more dangerous as an offensive hub. Defenders already have to account for his post moves and passing ability. If he becomes a more consistent threat from the perimeter, opponents will have fewer opportunities to crowd the paint and disrupt Houston’s offense.

Thompson’s potential payoff could be even greater. His athleticism, finishing ability, and defensive versatility already make him an impactful player. A reliable jumper, however, would force defenders to close out on him, opening driving lanes and making him considerably harder to contain.

Neither player needs to become an elite three-point shooter overnight. Even reaching league-average territory would change how opponents defend them and create more room for Durant and their teammates to operate.

Obviously, Engelland cannot fix Houston’s offense alone, and improvement will depend on the players’ work and willingness to trust their shots. But if the Shot Doctor can help Sengun and Thompson become credible perimeter threats, the Rockets could finally have fewer weaknesses for playoff defenses to exploit.