There’s a new Houston Rockets rookie courtesy of a notably weak draft. But is last year’s 11th seed actually adding a major difference maker? The team looks set to return next season fielding a largely similar roster. Adding AJ Griffin, for instance, is unlikely to result in a significant change in the rotation. Steven Adams will also be available as a bigger option off the bench, albeit not quite so big as Hollywood’s own Boban Marjanovic. But most importantly, it will be a largely similar roster plus rookie Reed Sheppard.
Can New Houston Rockets Rookie “Sheppard” Team To Success?
The Kentucky guard seemed like the obvious pick for Houston as soon as they moved up in the lottery. Houston GM Rafael Stone confirmed this immediately after the draft when he said:
“He was the only guy we were really focused on, so if he had not gotten to us, I think we would have traded down or out of the draft. But when we had the opportunity to draft him, we jumped on it.”
Obviously, NBA general managers aren’t likely to say: “We wanted the guy taken ahead of him, but we’ll make do with this bum.” But Sheppard, more than any other rookie in the draft, meets a major Houston need. The guy can shoot.
Reed Sheppard Isn’t Sheepish About Shooting the Ball
Sheppard shot over 50% from three in his lone year at Kentucky (52.1, to be precise). Even when you consider the college line and the fact he hoisted only just over four attempts per game, that’s impressive. And when you actually see the shots, it adds a whole other level to it. He didn’t just stand in the corner and shoot when he was open. Movement shooting at that percentage is a career-making ability. If there is any doubt, check his free throw numbers too – 83.1% – also elite.
There were a few other “shooters” in this draft. Number one overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher, is being touted as a 3-and-D prospect, for instance. But not all shooters are at the same shooting range. Risacher has indeed exhibited some improvement in his three-ball. However, there are concerns that those improvements may not be long-term. In fact, there were even signs it had already started to regress. As a shooter, Sheppard is a sure thing.
The Rookie’s Role In Houston
The Rockets rookie will come off the bench next season, but with the opportunity to learn from veteran guard Fred VanVleet, he may be ready for a larger role. Thankfully, Steady Freddy is the kind of pro who won’t balk at the idea of showing the ropes to his potential replacement (hopefully). Crucially, though, head coach Ime Udoka is a believer in meritocracy. He may have a strong preference for defensively oriented lineups, but he was willing to play the six-foot VanVleet major minutes last season as his most consistent offensive performer. If Udoka likes what Sheppard is doing out there, there may even be games he’ll close this season.
Every rookie has a learning curve. One is typically resplendent with plenty of stumbling blocks. But Sheppard is likely to have somewhat of an unusual rookie season. His shooting and defensive intensity could make him an immediate impact player. Meanwhile, his size and lack of self-creation almost assuredly limit his ceiling. But in a way, they will also limit his potential to make mistakes. Quite simply, he won’t be given the same opportunities to make mistakes that some more theoretically promising rookies are expected to stumble through. The hope is that Amen Thompson will be ready to handle the bulk of the ball-handling responsibilities off the bench this year. And former Summer League MVP Cam Whitmore should also get occasional opportunities to run a simplified version of the offence.
All Sheppard has to do out there on offence is move into open space around the perimeter and launch bombs. If he can do that and hold up on defense, then the urge to pair him for major minutes with the double-team magnet Alperen Sengun may be too hard to resist. Assuming good health, he’s virtually guaranteed an All-Rookie Team spot.
The Last Word
There were undoubtedly a few believers in a Sengun and Donovan Clingan twin towers front court. The big man wound up falling to the Portland Trail Blazers at seventh, where he may be twinning up with fellow tower DeAndre Ayton (or may not). Nonetheless, Sheppard was the pick that the majority of Houston fans wanted. They got their wish. Houston’s 2024-25 season will likely depend more on the progress of their wolf pack of returning prospects (or if they have any plans for their newly acquired haul of Phoenix Suns picks). But with his defensive tenacity and sweet shooting, fans will flock to the young Sheppard. And he may be a wolf in rookie’s clothing himself.
