I think I know what's clicking. A home game against a historically bad team that is trying to lose games.
He has definitely improved a lot but his shooting had gotten worse and worse so it also evens out. He needs to get surgery on his shot if he can rehab that sky is the limit for him.
It's as simple as he's finishing through contact now.. Nothing more , nothing less! Same dude that was missing the dipsy-doodle layups.. Same dude that was getting ripped on drives.. He's now finishing the process!
He does start seasons poorly and finish strong. Some of that I believe is insufficient off season workouts. It is also possible it’s focus- as at times he lacks focus. Honestly you are right, he could start the season poorly next year - but if he is struggling around the all star break next season, he won’t be a Rocket… they have Whitmore and Thompson both looking for minutes. At this point just grateful he is more in tune with his game and hope he does what the Rockets ask of him…
He’ll always do enough for Rockets fans and front office to believe in him long enough to keep this franchise in mediocrity for at least the next 5 years. Flip this dude as soon as you can. They won’t. But they should.
