Reed Sheppard has been getting a lot of attention during the NBA Summer League, and rightfully so. Averaging 20 points per game on 50 percent shooting, 5.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game, it seems like Ime Udoka and Rafael Stone were right to consider Sheppard the “best player in the draft.”
Reed was impressive. We knew his strength was shooting, but as someone who doesn’t watch a lot of college basketball, I was most impressed with his defense and ability to distribute the ball. But it was watching him navigate the pick-and-roll that made me draw comparisons to one of the greatest point guards of all time and former Houston Rockets player – Chris Paul.
This is where some of you might come back after closing your browser or maybe even throwing your phone. I mean, I am the guy who got lambasted for comparing the first three seasons of Jalen Green’s career to Kobe Bryant after all, so I can only imagine the backlash this might garner, but hear me out.
I’m not saying Reed Sheppard is going to be Chris Paul… although the comparison shouldn’t be that outrageous… Reed was the third pick in the draft, and CP3 was the fourth pick. (See what I did there?)
Chris Paul was a much more promising prospect, and rightfully so. He was a bit more athletic, had better command, and was considered a true floor general even in high school. But when I watch Reed Sheppard play, I see glimpses of an older, less athletic, but very cerebral and still talented Chris Paul. Let’s say, 2018 Houston Rockets Chris Paul.
The way Sheppard showed patience in the pick-and-roll, his ability to look for his spot on the court when it was time to shoot or recognize the best time to distribute the ball, reminded me of Paul. Additionally, his ability to create space, get up and strike in contested areas of the midfield was very similar to Chris Paul.
One of my favorite things about Chris Paul’s time as a Rocket was his leadership, and not just his vocal leadership, but the way he was able to calm the offense down and find good shots for himself and everyone else at times when the offense was getting choppy or out of sync.
There have been plenty of times when the Rockets have blown a lead or fallen behind in a game, and Chris Paul has stepped in to calm things down and get the team back on track, offensively and defensively. I don’t think the Rockets missed 27 consecutive three-pointers in Game 7 of the 2018 World Cup if Chris Paul wasn’t injured and unable to play. That’s the kind of stabilizing effect a true point guard can have. Hopefully Sheppard can continue to develop that ability.
That being said, the chances of Reed Sheppard being as big as Chris Paul are probably slim, and even I had to qualify that when I said in my podcast (Houston Sports State of the Union Podcast) that he reminded me of Chris Paul, that I’m not saying he’s going to be Chris Paul.
However, I wasn’t surprised, and honestly felt somewhat validated, when I saw Reed Sheppard in an interview with Vanessa Richardson In “Rockets All Access” they say that Chris Paul was his favorite player and he tries to emulate his game. See! I’m not crazy!
Now, if Reed Sheppard can just be “like Chris Paul,” then it’s going to be very difficult for Ime Udoka to keep him off the field. Especially if he can continue to impress on defense with deflections, steals, and blocks. Playing behind Fred Vanvleet, who I consider “like Chris Paul” with his ability to navigate the field with a smaller size and make the right play, should help Sheppard even more.
With his shooting, good ball control and ability to play off the ball, if he can put it all together then Ime Udoka will have a big problem on his hands, and that should create some serious competition in this year’s training camp.
Chris Paul is entering his 20th NBA season and has yet to win a title. This season, he will once again play the role of mentor to a young player. San Antonio Spurs The Team. The schedule released last week revealed that the Rockets will play the Spurs twice in the first five games of the season. So we may see Reed Sheppard face CP3 early and often. One thing is for sure, if Reed Sheppard is getting playing time this early in the season, it’s because he’s earned it on both ends of the floor. We may find out sooner than we think just how much Reed Sheppard’s game resembles that of his favorite player.
