The Houston Rockets chosen guard Reed Sheppard third total within the 2024 draft in hopes of bolstering the workforce’s offensive firepower, however that hasn’t been the case for almost a 3rd of the season. .
Sheppard was disappointing to say the least. He is averaging simply 3.7 factors per recreation on 35.3 % capturing, together with simply 29.8 % from the three-point line, which in faculty was his largest power.
He is been hesitant along with his bounce shot, hasn’t but been capable of tackle the position of backup level guard in his younger profession, and hasn’t been a adequate defender to play significant minutes .
Actually, the rookie guard has fallen behind Aaron Vacation within the rotation and is not seeing the court docket in massive video games.
For a prospect who climbed the rankings after a exceptional three-point capturing season at Kentucky, it is secure to say the Rockets had greater expectations for his or her first three draft picks.
It is solely been 27 video games, however it appears like Sheppard will not be a participant they will rely on this season, however can he flip issues round?
It is turning into much less and fewer uncommon to see elite capturing prospects come out of faculty, abroad and the G-League, however with somebody of Sheppard’s caliber, it is nearly a assure that his photographs will come again.
However that is not the one drawback. Probably the most alarming is undoubtedly his hesitant shot.
Sheppard appears hesitant to shoot the ball as he continues to see his shot slam off the rim, however Houston desperately wants somebody to depend on for constant three-point capturing and possibly take extra three-pointers may help the rookie guard discover his rhythm.
Along with his capturing, Sheppard’s play hasn’t been what many anticipated, however as he continues to look at veteran guard Fred VanVleet run the court docket within the high 5, it is attainable he can purchase this talent over the course of the season.
Evidently, the Rockets want him to determine it out, and hopefully shortly. The workforce has been a defensive pressure, but additionally a beneath common offensive workforce. They want somebody to step up and assist them keep away from the lengthy droughts they appear to expertise in lots of massive video games.
Whereas Houston seems poised to make a playoff push, it would want its high three draft picks to enhance considerably so as to make some noise and compete for a championship.
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