90% of the time he has played I have always come away, thinking he’s been a positive. Maybe not in hitting his shots but in playing the right way. There have been some times when I could see the benefit to having a giant like Clingan or a POA guy with potential like Castle instead. one of the podcasts before the draft talked about don’t take Shepherd unless you’re prepared to try to mold him into a point guard. I think that is what is going on, mostly behind the scenes. I expect his athletic prowess to raise a couple levels over the next two years. So I’m content who is the pic and I do believe it was the right decision. I could see the benefit of him being sent to the G league. That being said he probably is a role player on this roster for the next two or three years so maybe they are just trying to get him settled in there. Whitmore is also obviously a role player on the roster, but I think his G league time was more important because if we do give up on Green next year, there is a chance that we slide Can into the role of perimeter option number one. Not to mention even his role right now is to come in and attack.
I actually don't get annoyed at Sheppard's box score so much as when I'm actually watching him. Because when you watch him you feel he's very limited. He passes up looks that you typically expect a shooter to take. He doesn't really do off the dribble 3s. His penetration and mid-range game is non-existent after his summer league stint. If he didn't have the #3 pick pedigree and all you know is what he's done so far this year, you'd guess he's a low 1st rounder trying to make the club as a hustle guy. I'm actually less concerned about whether Sheppard will bust or not, since I was lower on him during the draft than most people (I pegged his ceiling as JJ Redick fwiw). But for a team that can't shoot, it's disappointing the guy who's a cant-miss shooter is also somehow not shooting.
