The Houston Rockets are expected to give a big role to second-year guard Reed Sheppard this upcoming season. The Rockets lost Fred VanVleet to a season-ending knee injury, and they need Sheppard to quickly grow and step up into possibly the starting point guard role.
Sheppard looked phenomenal in Houston’s final preseason game on October 16 against the Atlanta Hawks. He finished with 29 points, six rebounds, six assists, four steals and three blocks on 12-for-22 shooting and making five 3-point shots.
In a post-game interview on NBA TV’s “The Association,” the Kentucky product revealed the impact Kevin Durant has had on him. He idolized Durant growing up, and his work ethic was something that Sheppard tried emulating.
“I would just say his work ethic. When he walks into the gym and starts working out, you can tell just how hard he works. He’s going game speed every time he touches the ball, so that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned is how hard he works. You can tell it’s definitely benefited him. You know what he does, you know how he plays. So just seeing him work that hard has been good for me,” Sheppard said.
Sheppard added that Durant’s small conversations and gestures during practice and the preseason were huge for his confidence. He will need all of the swag if he wants to thrive as a starter this upcoming campaign.
Ime Udoka Likes Reed Sheppard’s Confidence
During the Houston Rockets’ media day in late September, coach Ime Udoka liked what he saw from Reed Sheppard in the Summer League and offseason workouts. Udoka had a feeling that Sheppard will be making the leap in his second season because of his confidence.
“The work he’s put in. You’ve seen the confidence grow throughout the season. He’s had his moments. You’ve seen the big games when he did get an opportunity when a lot of the guys sat. The talent is there. … A lot of times you take that leap between year one and year two. The work he’s shown in the offseason, already, he’s taken a nice jump,” Udoka said, via Sports Illustrated.
Despite liking what he saw from Sheppard, Udoka was still undecided at that point about his starting point guard. He used Amen Thompson at point guard in one of their four preseason games, putting him in a tall lineup along with Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams and Alperen Sengun.
While Thompson is a capable point guard, he’s at best used as a wing. He’s athletic and can create chances on offense, but his bread and butter is defense. Sheppard, on the other hand, is more of an offensive player and is quite good as an off-ball defender.
Reed Sheppard Named 1 of 5 Most Pivotal Players This Season
The Athletics’ Fred Katz put a lot of pressure on Reed Sheppard after naming him one of the five most pivotal players in the NBA this season. Katz attributed the Houston Rockets’ chances of winning a title to how quickly Sheppard can affect the team as a starter.
“As long as Sheppard is their point guard, their title hopes could hinge on him as much as anyone else on the roster. If he succeeds, Houston is one of the favorites. If he falls flat, it could fall from the NBA’s elite,” Katz wrote.
In addition to Sheppard, Katz also put pressure on De’Andre Hunter, Deandre Ayton, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Kevin Porter Jr.
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