When Jalen was cooking, Fred usually played his optimal role. KD being a reliable shooter will also mean that it is more likely that Fred plays well and keeps the team moving.
He’s not even proven he can handle back up, right now I’d say Amen and FVV will handle PG duties when either one is off so no need for Reed.
I hope we get to see Reed this year playing alongside Amen. I think a Thompson/Sheppard backcourt would be pretty nice.
We shouldn't start him. But we should start running plays for him. He's not built to be able to create easy looks out of nothing, it's time Ime either draws some **** up or pays somebody who can because there's just no ****ing way that all of these kids are generational shooters in college and then turn to trash the second they wear Rockets Red. Silas had no ****ing plays, now Ime has no ****ing plays. That works for some players, other players (like Reed) you need to maximise their talent. Run a ****ing off-ball screen ffs and give the kid a chance to actually utilise his God given talents.
I agree that Fred is no longer a high level PG at this stage in his career and he is probably our weakest link. I think he is an average shooter, agree his slowness and size make him even less effective now than in his T-dot days and his value on the court today is mostly in being a fairly high level game manager - he takes care of the ball and does a decent job coaching on the court and otherwise you "win" with Fred when he just holds his own. He doesn't provide much value to his own play - just in keeping younger players composed and that value is less useful as those players become more mature and capable. To me, he is a useful vet on a young team but also tradable cap space and the first to 'go' when we want to "upgrade" somewhere.
Houston shouldn't be considering starting a guy who couldn't even crack the rotation last year. Even when he had good shooting nights, he still got hunted pretty relentless defensively even against 2nd string units and his shooting wasn't THAT otherworldly to compensate for it. I like Reed but also, Reed was bad last year and similar to Jabari, I think it's going to take a minute before he starts to round out those things that make him more of a complete player because today he gives up defensively as much if not more than what he brings offensively. ...on the plus side - I am expecting a little breakout from Jabari this year - I think he could be MIP type of player if he starts hitting shots and having KD feeding him over Green is going to help immensely for guy with the type of repeatable mechanics Jabari has. I think he just needed to spend a few years rounding out some things and learning his limits before he could find his "role". I expect similar to Reed - just not sure if it's this year or next for him.
I would absolutely start Reed Sheppard at the point in the preseason. Why not? But he's the back up. Also, the depth chart element on ESPN is far behind their roster page which correctly has DFS and Capela on the team. And no, Cam Whitmore is not on the bench. There are other guys that should be shown on the depth chart Kavon Harris, Josh Okogie, Cameron Matthews, Isaiah Crawford, and JD Davison. At least they have it straight that Jalen was traded.
It's just rude commentary, bro... If u think Sheppard is the man - fine, lean into that... but u dont have to be disparaging of Fred.... too old - guy is 31.... i hate to break it to ya, but KD is 36 and we have high hopes... too short - he's the same height he's always been, so u just ixnay any 6-footer?... 2 inches shorter than Reed is a dealbreaker, huh? too slow - he's never been Speedy Gonzales... last 4 playoff games... 8/13 8/12 - 25 pts 8/13 4/6 - 26 pts 7/13 6/9 - 29 pts 6/13 3/6 - 17 pts ...but he cant shoot and he's our weakest link... ? Vspan, DMo, Kpj, etc, etc, etc,... c'mon, man... dont make me get rude... lol Ur on a Rockets board - show some respect.
Im as big a Reed believer as anyone. And thats a big **** no from me. Definition of a green horn last year and still looked it in the SL.
lol we're not even sure he can be a backup point guard in this league because of his size and people want him to start.. Players like FVV don't just grow on trees, to be that size and get to where he got, you have to be an extremely cerebral player. Reed has yet to prove he can do the same. Don't forget FVV was coming off the bench as well when he got picked up from the G-league. He had to prove without a doubt he can be a starter.
Sheppard might be the worst player in our 9-10 man rotation. Dude has too much to prove. I'm no FVV fan but we need him healthy if we want to win anything
They absolutely should start Sheppard... once his on-court production demonstrates he's capable of being an NBA starter. So far, it hasn't even been close. Maybe this will be the year he makes that leap.
He is a longs way from starting in this league. Let's see if he can beat out Holiday for a rotation spot first. I think all fans are hopeful he becomes a player that can be a starter on this team.
How about he focus on holding off Aaron Holiday for backup pg minutes, Reed didn’t even dominate in summer league
Gets overweight quickly, while sitting out. That is why he had a terrible regular season. He was overweight. The muscle mass has some to do with it.
