Reed is small but it’s not his height, at 6’2 he’s tall enough to be in the NBA. He looks small because he isn’t that built but he just turned 21 this summer and most people don’t fill out until they’re 23. It’s a bit unfair to call him undersized or a defensive liability when he was guarding SGA a number times, who isn’t just a 6’6 guard but an MVP and future hall of famer. I can’t even think of any player regardless of size who’s had success guarding him. Reed is only in his second year, this is the first game of the season, it was against the champs, he guarded an MVP who not too long ago in his second year was traded because many Clipper fans also didn’t see anything in SGA and were more excited to get PG13 and throw in 5x 1st round picks plus 4x 1st round swaps. Reed might not ever be a superstar but he is going to get better. Like many 21 year olds it takes time.
I think thats a pretty fair take. The thing for me is really Reed's defense, and him just looking outmanned athletically, length, size, and speed. I take your point about him being nervous because IMO this was probably his first REAL NBA game outside of the few mostly meaningless moments he played last season. So you can look past the missed shots, and maybe some of the turnovers, but the way he was hunted on the other end, and his inability to even stay in front of his man.... OUCH. That was brutal, and not something I can see improving with confidence. But yeah there's alot to see in terms of improvements needed outside of just Reed. KD obviously looked very rusty, but at this point in his career we gotta make life easier for him especially earlier in the season. He's going to break down if we have alot more games like this where he is this critical as a playmaker, and the game is this physical.
Well yeah, saying the reigning NBA champs, with the reigning NBA MVP, who was a top 3 defense AND offense last season, is "really good" was meant as an understatement for comedic effect. Add to that the fact that the Rockets are playing with a bunch of new players in their very first real game together IN OKC, right after the NBA championship ring ceremony....yeah, that was basically the toughest first game possible.
With all due respect, can we stop with the whole reliance on his draft combine measurements please? We all have eyes and can see clearly that he is a mouse compared to NBA athletes. We saw it the first time he stepped foot on an NBA court a year ago, and we continue to see it now. It isn't about him getting wider either. He is not weak, and he's not too skinny. Just like we can all clearly see that Kevin Durant is way taller and longer than other players listed as 6'11" we cam clearly see that Reed is way smaller than other NBA guards listed in the 6'2" to 6'4" range. I'm sorry... I know he's got some crafty skills, has great form as a shooter, and was an exciting college player.... but he's just too freaking small to play in the NBA. I really really hope I am wrong about him and he really secretly has Stockton like skills just waiting to bust out, but as someone who played and watches bball my entire life I'm just calling it like it is.... .he's too small for this level of play.
nobody is calling Reed a defensive liability because he couldn’t guard SGA, that’s to be expected… he could not stay in front of the likes of Dort, Cason Wallace, Wiggins, and even Caruso off the dribble he was getting picked on by anyone with a pulse…some of the worst defense I’ve seen in a minute let’s stop acting like Reed Sheppard was SGA’s primary defender the whole game…he wasn’t dude got put in the spin cycle by freaking Lu Dort…embarrassing
What is wrong with big ball? We were up most of the time we used it we lost the lead when the bench came in aka it was no longer big ball. Adams and Capela should be playing a lot they bash people and grab boards. Reed shooting 28% is not the offense flowing well. Rox scoring 30 pts in 1st Q is the offense flowing well I dont care if its ugly as long as it works.
Reed hardly ever guarded SGA. He was getting blown away by Cason Wallace, Dort, and whoever OKC tried to isolate him on. Amen was doing well against SGA, so OKC started using JSJ’s man as the picker, knowing the Rockets would switch. It’s just another instance of Ime getting out-coached along with Reed’s suckage at defense.
Why this surprises people is beyond me. Reed Sheppard has never been a point guard. He was an elite shooter in college who had some play making ability. It’s a very difficult transition to make.
its obvious he is still a liability on defense, maybe he'll get better, maybe he won't. but what bothers me the most is the lack of PG skills, I just don't see what others see in him. He's got average vision, average handles, is no threat to go to the rim. I do believe his shooting will come around, but that's pretty much it. his ceiling is a shooter with mediocre defense - basically an undersized SG. also, this is not an overreaction by me, I'm mostly a lurker around here and I just don't understand how people have been comparing him to Nash or Stockton all year long. his best case scenario is a JJ Redick type of player, which is good, but not a PG at all and still someone who will be hunted on mismatches come playoff time. I would love to see the rockets explore Tari + Reed for a guard on the trade market. people don't seem to realize we are kind of in a win now mode with an 37yo KD who got an extension.
Fred VanVleet was asked by the Raptors to be a three-point specialist and bench scorer when he first got to Toronto. After a few years of development, he was ready to become their starting point guard. If the Rockets just would let Sheppard focus on what he has always done well (shoot the ball), he would likely look better. They are throwing a lot at him early in his career, and I believe he is thinking a lot on the floor instead of just playing like he knows how.
It’s basically an impossible transition. The Rockets don’t believe it either, they just have no choice right now.
I watched him play at Kentucky. He did not serve as their primary point guard nor consistently initiated their offense. Sheppard was a sniper who could make plays for others. Calipari used him and another small score-first guard, Rob Dillingham, to share play making duties. Reed Sheppard was not a natural point guard in college. He was drafted inside the top five because of his historic shooting efficiency while at Kentucky.
The Rockets coaching staff knows Reed is small... so the scheme around it. Yes, Reed will need to get stronger at the point of attack. But the Rockets were late with the help.
Sam Vecinie did a deep dive of Sheppard's performance against the Hawks and was really critical of his defensive approach. He says that Reed gambles way, way too much. He relies too much on his hands and disrupting passing lanes and doesn't stay in front of his man. This is certainly an area he will need to improve, or Ime is going to sit him.
He absolutely did quite often....which is why he lead the team in assists. You are mistaking the fact that he didn't ALWAYS have that role with him not having that role at all. Rob Dillingham acted as an occasionally ball dominant combo guard, so Sheppard shared responsibilities with him, though when Rob had the ball, he was looking for his own shot, not to set anyone else up.
