The Houston Rockets are in a bit of a freefall. On September 22, it was announced that All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet suffered an ACL tear. Houston has been linked to Russell Westbrook, but with a bloated payroll, signing any free agent is an impossibility unless they make a trade.
As a result, the most likely solution seems to be giving Amen Thompson a bigger facilitating responsibility or elevating second-year guard Reed Sheppard to the starting five.
Picked third overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Sheppard got limited action in his rookie season, although the Rockets believe that he is ready to take the next step, and one basketball legend has long sung his praises.
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 22: Reed Sheppard #15 of the Houston Rockets reacts against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half in the NBA Emirates Cup at Toyota Center on November 22, 2024 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Revisiting John Calipari’s Praise for Reed Sheppard
Coming out of high school, Sheppard was a four-star recruit ranked 13th at his position. He would spend his lone college season at the University of Kentucky, where he played for John Calipari.
As a Wildcat, Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals while shooting a blistering 52.1% from 3-point range. According to Calipari, Sheppard is the perfect teammate.
“He makes everybody better, doesn’t have any ego about it,” the coach said in October of 2023, just days into Sheppard’s sole NCAA season. “If I’m on this team, I want him on the floor with me, when I play.”
The praise didn’t end as the season went on. Sheppard would go on to win the NABC Freshman of the Year award and make the All-SEC team, becoming one of the best NBA prospects.
“Great teammate, terrific player, unbelievable feel and reactions,” Calipari listed in March of 2024. “I’m saying this: I love coaching him because he’s an unbelievable teammate. The guys know they can count on him.”
Rockets Need Sheppard to Step Up
Despite being picked third in his draft, Sheppard averaged only 12.6 minutes per game in his rookie season, putting up 4.4 points per game. In the NBA, it was clear that he is undersized, and he struggled to shoot, going 33.8% from deep.
However, his two-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio bodes well, especially for a young guard, and if the Rockets can test the waters by playing him with ball handlers like Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Alperen Sengun, he should be able to find his footing.
Spacing will be a big issue, and if he can be at least a league-average shooter, the Rockets can feel comfortable giving him the ball. As Calipari pointed out, Sheppard is best at getting his teammates involved, and with high-level scorers surrounding him, he should have to create for himself on rare occasions, instead relying on his teammates to finish plays.
Losing VanVleet is a massive blow to the Rockets, but they are still very much contenders, especially if Sheppard is as good as advertised.
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