Is Reed Sheppard too undersized/unathletic to succeed in the NBA?

[AussieBuck]

Had a good Gary Trent type game today, lots of active hands making up for generally being a Trae Young sized liability. I can see him making it with that kind of hustle. First time for me he looked like a viable dude. I can see him making his mark over time.

[dk1115]

Let’s be honest, this is the worst draft class since the Kenyon Martin draft

[Harry Palmer]

People didn’t get the context, imo. Ime doesn’t play you unless you defend, and defend his way, within his system. Reed will need to add more strength to be able to ~ reliably guard like FVV does, ie physical, tough, and that’s what Udoka expects of his smaller player. But Reed had always been more of a disruptive defender than a clamp type…got absolutely amazing hands/eye-hand-coordination…the degree that Fred became. And that made/makes him unreliable to Ime.

But a combination of adding some strength this off-season to allow him to hold the point of attack a bit longer and the overall length of the Rockets allowing Reed to be that stock-shocker in turn allowed Ime to trust him more, though he still expects development as a straight up defender. And that has given the Reed the confidence he needed.

But people should understand that Stone/Ime loved his offensive game and had him as the most likely star in his draft class (as did NBA GMs overall for a reason) and the Rockets NEVER wavered in their belief that his offence was a game changer. There are reliable reports that they were even higher on him after his rookie season in terms of offensive ability than they had been in the draft, and him considered him to have the highest offensive upside on the team. It was just a matter of earning the trust defensively. But his rookie year was a rollercoaster with long stretches where he’d see little time and other games thrown into the fire in crunch time, etc. all while struggling to keep up on D, and while that’s something aging veterans can deal with, it’s a lot tougher on rookies. But the Rockets weren’t worried, because whenever they gave him extended minutes, in SL, in G-League, or in his few starts in the NBA he was dynamic, and in practice he was reportedly often cooking great defenders.

Now I do think his rookie year messed with his confidence a bit, and that he was too worried about measuring up so in spotty usage his shooting was often nervous and rushed, but you can see that when he’s normal his shot mechanics are just perfect, he’s that rare shooter who can shoot deep off the bounce or the catch, and his BBIQ is off the charts. So I anticipate slumps/losses of confidence this season, especially if his pt is as erratic as last year’s. But Stone and the Rockets have proven to me that they have an eye for talent, and they LOVE this kid. There’s a reason he was considered off the table in trade talks, even for the likes of Giannis and KD. I don’t know if he’ll live up to that, but evidently the Rockets are very confident.

[LarsV8]

.61 True Shooting %
.48 3pt%
+4 BPM

Showing signs of stardom in year 2.

[canada_dry]

.

Sent from my SM-G960W using RealGM Forums mobile app

[canada_dry]

.61 True Shooting %
.48 3pt%
+4 BPM

Showing signs of stardom in year 2.

Lets keep getting signs of "NBAdom" before throwing "stardom " out there.

And I've always liked the kid. Just...one step at a time here.

Looking good after a rough start!

Sent from my SM-G960W using RealGM Forums mobile app

[Handlez]

Is everyone okay?

[Kiss of Death]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=Czvoq_OfH0ZSMgHqWBWrFA

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=Czvoq_OfH0ZSMgHqWBWrFA

[Handlez]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=Czvoq_OfH0ZSMgHqWBWrFA

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=Czvoq_OfH0ZSMgHqWBWrFA

Well golly gee, you mean to tell me this 20 year old kid can dribble a ball and put it in the hoop? From long distances?

Sheesh, I thought he was a bust and too small and weak at 20 years old and could never improve.

It's a miracle!

[Shock Defeat]

I don't see busts performing like this, on a contending team much less

[FrodoBaggins]

I'm offering Kyrie for FVV + Sheppard if I'm Dallas. Maybe a pick, too. Flagg + Reed + 2026 lottery pick + whatever they get for AD is a good starting point.

[sashaturiaf]

Reeds been reading the general board. Keep talking realgm

How do you say "check my advanced stats" in Chinese again?

[LarsV8]

Cocaine Curry looking awesome!

[bonita_the_frog]

Now Reed Sheppard is my 2nd favorite player in the NBA, behind only Kevin Durant.
Whereas before the season began he wasn't even in my Top 5 !

[zero rings]

Now Reed Sheppard is my 2nd favorite player in the NBA, behind only Kevin Durant.
Whereas before the season began he wasn't even in my Top 5 !

So quick to give up on Cam Thomas?

[sashaturiaf]

Now Reed Sheppard is my 2nd favorite player in the NBA, behind only Kevin Durant.
Whereas before the season began he wasn't even in my Top 5 !

I think Reed Sheppard might be Kevin Durantd 2nd favouite player in the NBA as well, just behind Sengun

[bonita_the_frog]

Now Reed Sheppard is my 2nd favorite player in the NBA, behind only Kevin Durant.
Whereas before the season began he wasn't even in my Top 5 !

I think Reed Sheppard might be Kevin Durantd 2nd favouite player in the NBA as well, just behind Sengun

Me too plus in my pre-season vocaroo i predicted KD to win multiple championships with Houston

[LockoutSeason]

I wasn’t 100% sure that Sheppard would figure it out, but calling a 6’3” PG with a 42 inch vertical undersized and unathletic is diabolical.

[LockoutSeason]

And now that Amen Thompson has developed into quite the point forward, it’s probably time Reed to enter the starting lineup.