“I think just being out there every day, just learning as much as I can,” Sheppard said. “Every game is different. There is a lot going on. So, I think I’m just learning as much as I can and enjoying it. A lot of it comes from experience.” Sheppard has received consistent but limited playing time. He has in recent games seemed more comfortable and aggressive, looking for his shot rather than waiting for opportunities to reveal themselves. He does not execute like a rookie. He is in the right place, makes the correct decisions. But Sheppard can be too cautious, sometimes hesitant as he seeks to avoid mistakes. There have been signs of improvement on that. “I think it’s invaluable,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “He needs to get live game action, obviously going through a lot of these things for the first time. Every situation that he’s in, whether he’s being targeted defensively or how they’re guarding him offensively, it’s really good for him. “We had guys last year that were injured, and some guys that didn’t get playing time and spent some time in the G League. The live-game action, that’s what really counts.” Sheppard has made 36.8% of his shots, just 32.1% of his 3s, averaging 11.8 minutes per games. In the past five games, he has connected on just 2 of 14 3-pointers, going 1 of 5 on Thursday against the Warriors. The Rockets, however, believe the shooting touch will come as Sheppard grows more accustomed to the NBA game. “I see the game slowing down for him and understanding where his shots are going to come from, and adjusting to the physicality and size of defenders,” Udoka said. That is so common it is almost cliché. But without physical advantages as a 6-foot-2, 185-pound guard — though he has shown his jumping ability on some finishes at the rim in recent games — Sheppard needs to not just move quickly, but to also think rapidly. “A lot of it is just confidence,” he said. “Coaches and the guys are telling me to just shoot it. It’s a completely different game than college. Just trying to learn as best as I can and let the game come to me. “The whole game is different from high school to college to the NBA. So, I think every level, it gets faster. Really just learning and trying to be the best player that I can be. You can definitely feel it during games. A lot of it is being ready to play and having the confidence to go out there and just trust yourself and trust the work that you put in and do as much as you can to help the team be successful.” Until the past two weeks, which brought the Rockets in their second set of two off days between games since Thanksgiving, the schedule had been a grind, crowded with back-to-backs. That too can be an adjustment for rookies, but Sheppard said he had not felt fatigued by the NBA grind. “I feel really good,” he said before the Rockets’ loss to the Warriors. “Excited. This has been a fun season so far. I’ve been able to learn a lot and being out there playing has been a lot of fun.” He believes it has also been beneficial in ways the Rockets expect will show more often in box scores, so much so, that he did not alter his look to change his luck. “Just decided to switch it up a little bit, to change it,” Sheppard said. “Just for me, just start something new.”
"The odds are a top 3 pick is merely a rotation player or worse" Thats just wrong. Ok so does that mean we can trade Dillon Brooks for this year's #3 pick? Brooks is more than a rotation player surely he is worth more than someone whose odds are a rotation player or worse. There are expectations for a top 3 pick thats why the two most hated on guys in CF in the post Harden era are Jalen Green and Jabari. Only Sheppard gets applauded for 6 ppg and people are really happy with 20% 3 pt though. The same posters who call Jalen and Jabari garbage are also the ones praising Sheppard when Sheppard has played much worse than Jalen and Jabari ever have. Jalen and Jabari have never had a TS% lower than 50, Reed Sheppard right now at 47% TS. And yet posters here are "really happy where he is right now" lmao.
It’s kinda funny, the history of 3rd overall picks is actually fantastic. 2nd overall picks are mostly busts, they have only hit at a 25% rate which is pretty wild.
Wonder how much of his fear has to do with the success of the team. A lot of top picks are on very bad teams, so there is not a ton of pressure. It is not common for a #3 overall pick to be on a team that is 2nd place in the conference and that top pick is barely a rotation player early in the season.
Everybody knew that draft class was awful. Probably in a few years, Reed Sheppard is one of the top 3 players from that class
Perhaps you feel justified with your expectations. No problem from me, but the reality is that only about 40% of all top 10 players selected in the draft even become at minimum a rotation quality players. The odds they become an all star are a lot less. The odds they become an MVP quality player are even rarer. The only thing you can ask of the player once selected, is that they give it their maximum effort. I hear that Green, Sheppard, Jabari, and Amen are effort guys. I get it we are all emotional being, but let’s say Sheppard is eventually going to be a bust and you are right, what do you suppose the Rockets do to rectify the selection? But you seem irritated that fans are being patient with a rookie and his development?
Yeah, the odds that Jalen Green figure it out aren’t looking too great right now. But the Rockets can have solace knowing that Green is putting the effort. I can respect that! But with effort there is still hope he can achieve success. Though it’s looking like he will be at best a 3rd option. Sheppard is still only trying to catch up to the speed of the game. But Sheppard becoming a major impact player is bleak with the fact it was a weak draft to begin with.
Lol people forget that Sheppard was speculated at 6-9th place, he was not the clear Number 3 pick most of the time before the Draft. The Rockets needed a shooter so they preferred Sheppard over Castle, over Clingan, over Edey, over almost anyone. But make no mistake, he was not the consensus Number 3 pick by many teams........as you said the draft was weak and any team could just draft by need and position rather than talent. He had those advanced stats guys on his side because he was such a smart guy.
Amen Thompson was much more of a prototypical '3rd pick' than Reed was...... engineered out of a lab, reminiscent of Dennis Rodman but with more Offense.
Yup, when the Rockets were projected to pick 9th all mock draft we’re leaning Reed Sheppard. But as the draft started shaping up, it became apparent that any impact players out of this draft better be elite at a few things. Sheppard has supposedly an elite shooting, which we are still waiting for, but he’s still in the honeymoon phase of his career. Sheppard has as good a chance as any to be the top player in the draft. But it’s all going to take shape in how he shoots the ball - I fully expect him to be a 40+ 3pt shooter for his career. But I as a Rocket fan in a Rocket forum fully acknowledge my rose colored glasses, because realistically what would you get back for Reed in a trade? Maybe a mid to late 1st round pick?
He is also unlucky to play during a time of great Perimeter Defense displayed by the Magic, Thunder and Rockets themselves. During the Harden Matador Perimeter Defense years lol......another story. Now everyone wants to shut down 3 point shooters rather than becoming one. Everyone is drafting 6'6-6'9 playmakers and the Rox are drafting a 6'2 guy. Size and NBA level quickness is going to overwhelm him for a longer stretch. He is also going against NBA level of strong dudes than just regular College strong dudes.
It’s almost comical that fans have an indignant attitude towards Reed Sheppard, as if being selected 3rd in the NBA suddenly guarantees success? 2015 - only 2 top 10 players are 30 WS and above 2014 - 5 top 10 players are 30 WS and above 2013 - 3 top 10 players are 30 WS and above 2012 - 5 top 10 players 30 WS and above 2011 - 6 top 10 players 30 WS and above 2010 - 5 top 10 players 40 WS and above The 2011 draft had 18 guys post 30+ WS, so there was a lot of talent overall. Being a top 10 pick is better odds to becoming a left good player. But it guarantees nothing! I was so furious when the Rockets traded Rudy Gay for Shane Battier, but it ended up being one of my favorite trades. So if you are guaranteed a solid rotation player, at 3 in a weak draft, you take it! Someone said Dillon Brooks being the benchmark for a number 3 pick is ridiculous or something like that. But if you get a Dillon Brooks from your draft, it’s a win, even if it was the #3 pick. As noted previously, you have a 60-50% chance of a top 10 pick not even being a 30 WS, which is a small benchmark of longevity success - we aren’t even talking all star or franchise level. FYI - Dillon Brooks has a WS of 11 for his career. Once he figured it out, He was getting 1.5 WS his last 3 years. First year in Houston he posted a 2.7 WS. This season he’s on pace for a 4.5 - 5 WS. If he truly figured it out, and posts WS of 4 for the next 5 seasons, he will get to 30 WS. So when I say a player accumulates 30 Ws, it is for playing at the level of a Dillon Brooks. And 50-60% of top 10 picks can’t even do that, regardless of the draft order.
100% I feel Reed is just too small, hopefully he can be a rotational piece. But everytime he's on the court opponents are looking to bully and attack him on switches, actively hunting for him. He becomes a liability on defence even if he's able to stay on his man opponents are able to shoot over him.
The feeling is not mutual.....haha Instead you got Jalen and Jabari. Thank God there were Alpe and Tari because that would have been disastrous......
Reed looked way more aggressive last game. He was making decisions at a quicker pace and taking open shots when he had them. His defense is much better than expected, although still gets hunted. I never thought he would be a contributing rotation player this year, but if he can continue to grow his confidence and start shooting the 3's at 38-40% he can contribute this year.
Just needs to add muscle, 6'3 is an average PG he's not that short. I think it will realistically take 2 summers for him to add the muscle he needs and tighten his handle for a PG. Bit of a project. In the meantime, there are plenty of players who bring value through disruptive defense, 3pt shooting and passing. He's a great fit for a rotation piece even at this age.
