Yep and if Amen never develops an outside shot, he will have to be a career defensive savant from the forward position ala Dennis Rodman. That second part about work ethic which is going to set him apart from Simmons. He already is becoming a good FT shooter and his mid-range jumper while not statistically better looks better and for several games now he is hitting his shots in the lane. Patience is in order for both Amen and Reed. If Castle develops an outside shot he also has an all-star upside.
generational? As much as I love him knocking down threes he isn’t an elite scorer. He may become an elite shooter but he isn’t an elite scorer. These are two different things. How is he Generational when there’s 16 guards ahead of him in 3pt% who has played at least 20 games and 23 min per game? Besides we are early in the season roughly 30 games or so. No telling where his % will be or how consistent he will be. Players like Grayson Allen Luke Kennard and Norman Powell have shot around .400 or higher their entire careers. And second year guard Cam Spencer shoots .485 on similar minutes as Sheppard. Jaylon Tyson another second year guard is shooting .454 from 3. Rookie guard/forward Kon Knueppel drives more per game 10/33 min to Sheppard 4.5/25.8 min with better FG%. gets more points in the paint per game 5.4 to Reed’s 3.3. And currently shooting slightly better in 3% (.432) while Reed has been efficient from 3 he certainly isn’t a generational scorer compared to other guards in his class, rookies, and veterans.
Not terrible, but kind of a mixed bag for Reed tonight against Brooklyn. Early on he looked locked in. Comfortable, confident, and experienced. However, starting in the 2nd quarter he got himself into trouble a few times trying to iso against the bigger Wolf and had to force a couple of ugly shots as a result. Also couldn't hit the broadside of a barn in the second half -- though he did hit the skinny side of the backboard once. On the defensive side, I didn't notice him being hunted (not sure the Nets even have the discipline to execute that kind of thing) and he had another high stocks game with 3 blocks and 1 steal. I liked the play where he ripped the ball from a driving Wilson on what would have been a point blank layup.
I would say Reed is much closer to scorer than Kon, Allen, or Luke is. I haven’t seen player who can put score this quickly other than Klay and Steph. Klay was on his own tier when he was in his prime where he can just scorch +20pts by him self open up the game in less than 8mins. Most of the Reeds production happens within his first 5-10 mins and his stamina just cannot keep up with constant full court press. If Reed can be used like Klay and him getting stronger could make him elite scorer. There’s a reason why Klay didn’t dribble more than three steps before he let it fly, Reed is not a next Steph, he is more closer to Klay Thompson
If he just took his open shots he wouldn’t have to rely on those dumb isos I get switching it out every now and then, but if you are the best shooter on the team and one of the best in the entire league…and you’re open..shoot the ****ing ball! Don’t even care if he missed
Every comp you mentioned plays for a crap team and their usage is far greater than Reed’s. The drives are a byproduct of the offense and situation. Jalen was an INCREDIBLE driver and HORRIBLE finisher. If Reed is making a high percentage of middies, does it matter if he’s taking it from 12 or 2 feet out? Honestly, would you rather have ANY of those other guys over Reed? FWIW I would have drafted Cedric Coward over Kon.
i want to see more defense pressure him whenever he's the ball handler. i need to see if he can handle hand check defense. it will shows if he's good to run PG full-time when the time comes.
That’s false to think that individual accomplishments on “lesser” teams don’t mean anything or isn’t valued as much as a player on a “better” team. According to your logic Cade Cunningham’s accomplishments during his 3rd year doesn’t mean anything. Players score or defend or pass based on ability regardless of what team they play for. Besides Heat, Suns, Grizzlies aren’t “crap” teams. All are in top 8-9. What does usage have to do with anything? A player shouldn’t be penalized for his offensive load. This metric indicates importance of a player relative to team’s total offense. A player still has to be able to score and shoot efficiently at the end of the day and this takes skill and talent. Drives are not only byproducts of the offensive situation. They are an indicator of how well a player can get to the paint. I noted Kon’s FG% from drives. Green wasn’t a terrible scorer from drives as you say. He shot 46.7% from drives compared to Trae Young 46.8% Kawhi 47.2% and Curry’s 47.4%. Also Sheppard only attempts 1.6 mid range FGA per game. There’s multiple players ahead of him in that department including Gillespie and Kon. Most of his scoring is from 3s. The post I responded to said that Sheppard is a generational talent and elite scorer which is not what the data indicates.
that makes absolutely no sense. He doesn’t do anything that multiple vets, rookies, and guys in his class aren’t already doing or have done. Generational talent means being 1 of 1 and thar his skills and talent are unique and can’t be replicated.
Yes he does, I have watched people like Steve Nash, and Mark Price - guys that look almost identical to Reed at the same time in their career's .... Just because you don't see it, or like him, doesn't make it untrue. Reed is probably the best pure shooter the Rockets have ever had. DD
This has nothing to do with liking a player. This is about facts. Steve Nash and Price were nothing like Sheppard. They were both great playmakers and played that way in college. They both had great dribbling and were explosive off the dribble getting to the paint or getting into lanes that created passing angles to open interior players. Sheppard was a decent passer but he was never a great playmaker. The majority of his assists in college were through passes to the low man, hitting shooters coming off screens, passing back out to shooters on a drive or long passes on the break. What does Sheppard do that his peers don’t do? Just because you root for the guy and emotionally tied to him doesn’t mean he’s a generational talent. I don’t think the Rockets have any generational talents currently besides Durant. Sengun might turn into one but he has to be better and more dominant offensively.
@Stephen_A is right. Yeah, he isn’t generational. Nice little spark plug off the bench. Just because the roster is forward/center heavy with guys that can’t shoot doesn’t make him “generational”. His 3pt% shooting is already slipping. 47%–>45%–>42% (His 3pt shooting in December was 38%. Take out the Cleveland game(4-10), 5-20 in 4 out of his last 5 games; even then, 9-30) Collin Gillespie isn’t “generational” Payton Pritchard isn’t “generational” Cam Spencer isn’t “generational” Jaylon Tyson isn’t “generational” Bub Carrington isn’t “generational” Isaiah Joe isn’t “generational” Now that boy “The Nipple” in Charlotte, he’s nice. Flagg, Harper, Edgecomb, Knueppel, Bailey, Johnson, Fears, Coward, Queen, “the others” like Raynaud, Wolf, Kalkbrenner, that 2025 class is looking nice. Should’ve traded out of 24 for a 25 pick. Spoiler 38.7% on 8a — Fred VanVleet 23/24 40.3% on 7a — Ryan Anderson 16/17 38.2% on 7.9a — Armoni Brooks 20/21 42% on 6.2a — Reed Sheppard 25/26 40% on 6.4a — Ben McLemore 19/20 39.8% on 6.4a — Aaron Brooks 09/10 39.7% on 6.3a — Dillon Brooks 24/25 38.3% on 6.1a — Jabari Smith Jr. 25/26 38% on 6.5a — Chris Paul 17/18 48% on 5a — Troy Daniels 13/14 44.1% on 5a — Luther Head 06/07 41.2% on 5.3a — Eric Gordon 21/22 40% on 5.1a — Jim Jackson 03/04 39.9% on 5.6a — Ron Artest 08/09 39.5% on 5.1a — Cuttino Mobley 01/02 39% on 5.3a — Cuttino Mobley 03/04 38.6% on 5.1a — Ryan Anderson 17/18 38.5% on 5.2a — Chandler Parsons 12/13 38.3% on 5.7a — Kevin Martin 10/11 50% on 4.4a — Tari Eason 25/26 43% on 4.9a — Kevin Durant 25/26 42.9% on 4.1a — Kenny Smith 94/95 42.3% on 4.2a — Sterling Brown 20/21 42.1% on 4.5a — Shane Battier 06/07 41.6% on 4.6a — Danuel House Jr. 18/19 40.5% on 4.4a — Sam Mack 98/99 40.4% on 4.6a — Matt Maloney 96/97 40% on 4.4a — Patrick Beverley 15/16 40% on 4.4a — Sam Mack 95/96 39.8% on 4.1a — Glen Rice 02/03 39.6% on 4.2a — Steve Francis 00/01 39.3% on 4a — Mike James 04/05 39.2% on 4.6a — Kelly Olynyk 20/21 39% on 4.9a — Christian Wood 21/22 39% on 4.2a — Jason Terry 14/15 38.8% on 4.3a — Eddie Johnson 96/97 38.6% on 4.4a — DJ Augustin 20/21 38.4% on 4a — Shane Battier 08/09 38.2% on 4.3a — Patrick Beverley 16/17 38.3% on 4.4a — David Wesley 04/05 44.6% on 3.2a — Matt Bullard 99/00 43.3% on 3.8a — Tracy Moore 95/96 43.3% on 3.3a — Michael Dickerson 98/99 43% on 3.4a — Aaron Holiday 25/26 42.6% on 3.8a — Walt Williams 01/02 42.4% on 3a — Eldridge Recasner 95/96 42% on 3.7a — Mario Elie 96/97 41.6% on 3.4a — Matt Bullard 97/98 40.9% on 3.1a — Aaron Brooks 13/14 40.4% on 3.5a — Matt Bullard 00/01 40.2% on 3.8a — Chase Budinger 11/12 40.1% on 3.7a — Courtney Lee 11/12 39.5% on 3.4a — Walt Williams 00/01 39.1% on 3.8a — Shane Battier 10/11 39.1% on 3.4a — Walt Williams 99/00 38.6% on 3.9a — Francisco Garcia 12/13 38.2% on 3.5a — Kenny Smith 95/96 38.1% on 3.6a — Marcus Morris 12/13 38.1% on 3.5a — Troy Williams 16/17 38.1% on 3.4a — Isaiah Canaan 14/15 51.9% on 2.5a — Goran Dragic 10/11 47.9% on 2a — Steve Novak 07/08 45.1% on 2.5a — Jon Barry 04/05 43.8% on 2.7a — Kenny Smith 92/93 43% on 2.5a — Josh Okogie 25/26 40.8% on 2.1a — Courtney Lee 10/11 40.6% on 2.8a — DJ Augustin 21/22 40.5% on 2.8a — Kenny Smith 93/94 39.8% on 2.9a — Aaron Holiday 24/25 39.8% on 2.5a — Mario Elie 94/95 39% on 2.6a — Von Wafer 08/09 38.7% on 2.8a — Aaron Holiday 23/24
I think you have a lot of good points. I wouldn't call Reed a generational scorer, but I think he has the potential to be a generational shooter, although he has a ways to go to prove that. His three-point percentage has dropped a bit because of his high volume, which I don't think is a bad thing. As far as setting up the offense, he still has a ways to go. His passes have been great, and I loved the pass he had last night from one corner to the other, although he didn't get an assist from it because it resulted in a missed three. He will continue to get better, and it will be fun to see how he develops. At minimum I see him developing into a quality starter, but he has the potential to be special as well. I still feel like he should be a little more decisive on offense, but I love the improvement I've seen.
Report from the Nets game: A much better game from Reed than I expected from the box score and postgame reactions. The bummer was the bricked 3’s: the one that was so off he tried to rebound it, then the one that hit the side of the backboard, then the no-dip where he never got control of the ball. But his defensive work was actually really good. High energy, lots of bounce in his step, alert, fast reactions, crowding on the catch right away, getting in the face of ball handers. His double with Okogie on Thomas in the 4th was terrific. And this game might have been his best court coverage of the season, zipping all over to cover open men, contest 3’s, cut off lanes, and disrupt layups. He continues to get more physical. He was working hard to box out, fight off screens, and block bigs who tried to get interior position. His box-outs earned us at least 2 rebounds that I saw. In the 2nd, he stalled Clowney going to the basket, allowing Sengun to step over and take the ball. In the 4th, he met Wilson at the arc and stripped the ball, then on the next play stayed in front of Wolf and harassed him, leading to Jabari’s block. This might be a big reason why Ime is giving Reed more PT: He’s playing a more reliable and helpful role in the defense, preventing blow-bys and causing enough disruption to facilitate steals, blocks, and denials by his teammates. He’s also using more physicality to bring the ball up under pressure. He’s leaning into the defender, using his shoulder, trying to punish the overplays by breaking away. Still very limited by lack of strength and ball control, but he has the right idea. The bricks from 3 are a bit mystifying, but my best guess is that it’s related to what he’s working on. He seems to be focusing on using his 3 threat to create other opportunities. So he’s using a fake or screen to slip inside for a jumper, or to see if he can get to the basket. In the 4th, Jabari passed to him in transition for an open 3, and Reed chose to drive instead. Another one of those plays where we all wish he’d shoot. Then those 2 cringeworthy possessions where he tried to beat Wolf and failed. It was like watching a practice, and maybe that’s how Reed thought of it. Better to work on that stuff against the Nets than in the playoffs. On that 3-shot foul, it looked like Reed fell theatrically to get the call. I don’t think I’ve seen that before? Has he been working with Harden? But seriously, it looked like he’s been coached on it. Another way to exploit the 3 threat. He’s still picking up his dribble too soon. Not quite as bad as in some previous games. And the new problem I noticed this time was a couple of plays where he tried to do stuff before he had his eyes right. First when he twirled and flipped the ball to Durant in the backcourt and got ripped off, then when he tried to spin into a jumper. It reminded me of his turnover sequence against Dallas. His superpower is his vision. He’s got to get his eyes on the situation before he tries anything.
I swear to God fans run hot and cold quicker on R33D Sheppard than anyone I can think of in recent memory. He is in his second season after barely playing as a rookie. He isn’t “all time” anything at this point but he has had a very strong second season. 14 points a game in 26 minutes isn’t superstar production, but it is pretty good. Defensively he has already improved a great deal - and his play making has consistently gotten better. He has his ast/to ratio almost up to 3:1. Let’s wait and see how he does the rest of this season before we define who and what he is as an NBA player.
He had a solid game for sure. People that are happy Jabari scored 14 should realize that an average or low game for Reed is the same and he just did that
Stats alone shouldn’t define anyone as being generational or not. That said Reed shooting 42% from 3 this season is very good. Curry is a 42% career 3pt shooter and he’s unquestionably the best there has ever been from deep. Clay is a 41% career 3pt shooter and he’s right up there as one of the best. While it’s too early to call Reed generational he has more than proven to be one of the best 3pt shooters this season. Sure there are other players with a higher 3pt percentages including Tari who currently leads the league at 50% but I don’t think anyone here would label him generational.
