Reed Sheppard is the Rockets’ Franchise Player™

I still don't know if I see Reed as a 25+ points guy, simply because he isn't big/strong/athletic enough to score on all three levels. He would have to literally be Steph Curry, and I'm not putting that on him, just like I've always said it's not fair to put "literally Jokic" on Sengun. My comp for Reed is still somewhere in the Fred VanVleet -> Jamal Murray range, and to be clear, that's a very good player who would likely be an all-star at some point, maybe more than once. I'll be very pleased if he can sometime be a 20 points / 6 or 7 assists guy on very good efficiency.

If he does become that, which is looking more and more likely as he continues to play well, we will be in an interesting spot. We'll basically have three guys who are #2 / #3 scorer types who can all pass/playmake to some degree (and yes, Amen is an above-average scorer despite his lack of a jump shot) but no #1. And we'll still have the same "two non-shooters" problem unless one of Sengun or Amen figure it out. Where do you go from there? That's a perennial playoff team, but still seems like it might be missing something to be a true contender, unless you think we can do it the 2004 Pistons / 2014 Spurs way and just kill everybody with our depth.

 

This could have been all year, and all those 4th quarter collapses wouldn't have happened. and that Ime is not qualified to coach an AAU team much less the Rockets.

DD

 

Amen!

 

Reed Sheppard on the front page of the New York Times today . . .



here's the free link, no paywall.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/70...hared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta

 

I’m starting to get the feeling that you aren’t too impressed with Ime. Just a guess.

 

He's on pace to be a 19 point per 36 min player while being guarded like a 25 ppg scorer. I don't see 25+ ppg as likely, but it has nothing to do with being big/strong/athletic enough. I don't know if his handles and his middie will get to the point where he's a 25+ ppg scorer.

 

Reed Sheppard is 21 years old

 

The only thing that is holding him back as a scorer is ball handling. If he becomes crafty with the ball, he can create for himself as a 3-level scorer.

 

It's good enough already, he just needs volume. If Reed was given the green light Jalen had he'd easily be above 25 PPG. He is a bonafide 3 level scorer of which there are very very very few of in the league.

Charlotte may have lucked into another one who also got typecast because of his physical appearance.

 

When Reed made that last 3 look at Imes face. He looked legit pissed off about it.

 

why do people want him to be a 25+ppg scorer? Reeds ideal outcome is like 19/7/4 on outstanding percentages. Hes an unbelievable 3rd option (in the good outcome). Im still wary of his actual ability to shoot in game, but what I see as his peak is Nash with better scoring/defensive deflections and worse creation (while occasionally being a cone on defense).

His FT% is the biggest worry for me. It indicates he wont ever be a consistent shooter. He should absolutely be an 85% FT shooter.

 

Historically, it's pretty hard to score an efficient 25 points per game if you're not average or better at getting to the rim and finishing. I can't think of many guys who've done it for a full season. Heck, even Steph Curry, the "greatest jump shooter of all time", took 19% of his shots at 0-3ft his rookie season (his career mark is 14.7%). Reed is getting all the way to the basket on just 8% of his shots so far.

Again, if he's literally a Steph Curry level shooter, that might get it done. Steph these days, with his declining athleticism, isn't much better at getting to the rim than Reed is. But again as well, I'm not going to bank on Reed Sheppard matching the GOAT of jump shooting. By definition, the odds of that are exceedingly small.

In any case, let's just be happy he's playing well and looks like he'll be a starting caliber player.

Edit: Regarding the comparisons with Steve Nash and guys like that... Nash was who he was because he was one of the greatest passers/ballhandlers to ever do it. Reed is a good and willing passer, but he has not demonstrated anywhere remotely close to that level of aptitude. This is another category where if you're thinking he will be a superstar because of it, you're counting on him getting to an elite level that would place him among the best of all time. Just not likely at all.

But yes, it's totally fine if he's a #2 / #3 option. Not every player has to be a superstar.

 

Go read the ESPN article about Kon breaking the record. It’s truly a perfect storm for him. System, fit, gets fed the ball, bad team, no expectations. We keep saying this but Reed would have been doing this in Kon’s situation as well.

 

That and a salty, mouth-breather of a head coach.

 

He couldn’t help himself with the “starting or coming off the bench” comment, could he. If ever….

 

What do you mean by ability to shoot in game, he is the number 1 player i want shooting the 3 and number 2 player i want shooting the middie behind KD. The kid is money