Yes, look for a deadline deal if Reed disappoints us again. It might not be for a starter, might just be for a 6th man type, but he will be replaced quickly if he isn't working out. But you can't cut bait on your 21yo #3 pick after just his rookie season. They have to give him a chance to show his stuff. This first half of the season is it.
By all appearances, they're giving Reed the keys. Aside from Shepard, FVV & Holiday the only other guards on the entire roster are Jeenathan Williams who was on a two way for most of last year and only saw 147 total minutes in 27 games & Kevon Harris who's on a two way this year after nothing but a 10 day deal with Atlanta last season, played a whopping 6 minutes over 2 games for Orlando in 23/24. He did play in 34 games averaging ~13 minutes per in 22/23. (What am I missing here? There had to be a better guard option than Harris for that two way). One proven rotation worthy guard on the entire roster .... yeah, Reed contributing or not will be a huge factor in this season.
I'm heavily buying Reed Sheppard stock but if hes more than a solid to high impact role player I will be shooketh. I expect 20-25mpg and something like 12/2/2 on 49/39/85
I don't see the comp to Price. Price was crazy fast with the ball, had a deadly jump shot, and was one of the most creative players ever. He was the first to do some of the things players commonly do today, like pulling up on the break to drain a 3 and splitting double teams.
I'm choosing to believe it's not mere coincidence that every time Reed has been "given the keys", he's been fantastic. Summer League: 20/5/5 with 4 stocks on 56.1% TS GLeague: 31/5/7 with 3 stocks on 65.8% TS NBA Starter: 20/3/5 with 2.7 stocks on 64.3% TS
He could be basically the perfect guy next to Amen down the road if he reaches his potential. Elite floor spacer and very good connective passer. Let's hope he gets there
20-25 mpg means he's splitting time with FVV. Pretty sure Ime won't play him and FVV together very much because of defensive concerns. I do hope by mid season, he will get to 20 mpg. He will have to average more than 2 apg if he plays more than 20 mpg at the PG spot. 12 ppg is about right. I don't think he can reach 49 at FG%. He is going to shoot more 3s than 2s. If he can hit 40% from 3, it will be great.
Reed Sheppard is 6'3 and a playmaking defender, he's talking about Damian Lillard types....but I'm sure you knew that, you just wanted to be dishonest.
Cam purposely played himself off the team. He didn’t want to be here. The opportunities that Ime gave him to show he was a team player, Cam simply told Ime F. YOU. Only reason he’s been here as long was so that Stone could trade him for maximum value. I bet Ime would have cut him if he could during the regular season… Reed Sheppard doesn’t look as explosive as Cam. To me he looked slow, however that may be him calibrating the correct speed for his game. Nevertheless when he started hitting those 3 pointers a high clip after the all-star break, that was music to any Rocket fans ears. He didn’t shoot as many as I would have liked, but it’s probably the ones Ime told him to take. I definitely see Reed averaging around 14-15 points a game, 4-5 assits, 1 steal a game. He definitely looked feisty and under control. I didn’t see superstar potential yet, but I am anxious to see what the Rockets brass is seeing there. Very much looking forward to seeing more of his game repertoire.
I think a good comp is TJ McConnell, with a better jumpshot. He was a spark plug for Indy in the playoffs, particularly when Haliburton was out. If Reed can provide that…be an energy guy and not a liability guy on defense, whilst running the offense and knocking down some 3s, that would be amazing.
