With Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks lined up for point guard, shooting guard and power forward, it will be tough for Reed Sheppard to start the games with the Rockets. But from what we saw tonight against the Lakers, the 3rd pick in the 2024 Draft has everything it takes to become a star of the league. With his individual technique and his shooting, the Kentucky guard has the full arsenal in attack to average between 15 and 20 points per game. But he also proved tonight that he was a good defender, very active, and that is perhaps what we should remember from his first very complete performance: 23 points in 30 minutes, at 9 of 17 shooting, including 4 of 6 at 3-pointers, with 5 assists and 4 rebounds.
“That kind of instinct reminds me a bit of Fred.” Rockets coach Garrett Jackson analyzes. “Fred is not the biggest guy on the field, but he's very smart. On defense, his hands are quick and he knows how to cut the lines. Reed is very similar.”
Reed Sheppard and Bronny James have been competing since they were 8 years old!
Overall, the Houston coach found Sheppard “was very confident and very comfortable”. “He's a smart player, a great shooter, and he showed that tonight.” estimates Ime Udoka's usual assistant.
If Sheppard was so relaxed, it might be because he had Bronny James in front of him. The two “daddy's boys” have been at each other's throats since elementary school! “It’s really cool, and I remember we played each other in second grade, and then we played each other every year, and now we’re playing in the NBA.” enthuses the Houston rookie. “I’m happy for him. He’s a great player and a great kid. So it was a lot of fun to go out there and play against him.”
And what did he think of his accomplished performance? “Once the game starts, it's just basketball and it's just another game… You play with friends, it's a competition and you have fun,” Sheppard replied. “We have to make the first two trips on the court, score the first 3-pointer, and then we can relax and play. The positive thing is that we won. It was good to start the competition, with different players. All in a really pleasant atmosphere.”
