Reed Sheppard is the Rockets’ Franchise Player™

Ha - I did used to listen to the Dunc'd on Podcast for a long while back in the Harden days - those guys really do know their stuff but the nerdy sports guy schtick can be tiring and they stopped talking about the Rockets when they sucked.

 

Both were high on Sheppard at the draft. Danny had him No 2. So naturally they have had followed his development closely and had some great takeaways.

 

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There is definitely something to be appreciated about both Sengun and Amen not starting their rookie years, and really earning their spots on the team. Hopefully the same thing happens with Reed. Even Jabari lost his starting spot last year to injury, didn't complain, balled out in the playoffs, and the team ultimately chose to not offer him in the KD trade, and to give him a big extension.

it sets a tone and precedent for any rookie coming onto this team in the future: minutes are not guaranteed, even to the high draft picks and the cornerstones of the franchise.

You couldn't get further from the Silas/Wood/KPJ era where the team leaders were some of the worst culture guys in the league, and everyone knew the coach was powerless to discipline them.

 

Reed exuding confidence despite his shot being a bit off is a massive green flag.

[Insert the "He's beginning to believe" meme]

 

@roslolian you gotta give our boi some props now man. Some of the criticism was legit at the beginning but he has really excelled with every bit of extra experience he has been getting

 

"Sheppard to miss Sunday's game with concussion."

 

I’m so happy to be wrong with Reed. He’s playing awesome. Love it.

 

Reed proving people just as wrong as Sengun did when they claimed he was a terrible defender.

His lateral movement isn't elite-levels quick so defending a player going downhill is going to be bad - just as it was with someone like Harden.

Players will bully him and back him down purely due to size advantages - just as with every other 'tiny' and not super strong player.

But goes right back to Reed being a high IQ player. He reads passing lanes, he reads the movement a player is making within the offense and seeks out to cut it off or picks his opportunities to know when to go to dislodge the ball.

After suffering through recent years of KPJ and Jalen Green. God damn it is BEAUTIFUL watching a team of high IQ basketball players.

 

Best part of today’s game they tried to back him down early and he chucked the dude out of bounds for his first foul. Love to see the physicality.

 

Reed is starting to make me a believer. When KD can’t stop chest bumping you, you’ve arrived

 

I will be insufferable after 20 games