Rockets SHUT DOWN Reed Sheppard After STRUGGLES Vs Pistons | CONFIDENCE Or CONCERN For His Future?
Rockets SHUT DOWN Reed Sheppard After STRUGGLES Vs Pistons | CONFIDENCE Or CONCERN For His Future?
Reed Sheppard’s NBA Summer League stint ends abruptly. Is the Houston Rockets’ sophomore ready for the big stage?
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) breaks down Sheppard’s mixed performances, highlighting his shooting prowess and playmaking potential. The discussion covers Sheppard’s struggles with physicality, ball-handling challenges, and defensive limitations. Gatlin explores the sophomore’s potential role alongside Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, questioning his fit in the Rockets’ win-now aspirations.
Can Sheppard overcome his physical limitations to become a key contributor? Will the Rockets’ development approach hinder or accelerate his growth? Tune in for an in-depth breakdown of Sheppard’s Summer League showing and what it means for Houston’s future.
#Rockets #NBA #ReedSheppard
📺 Subscribe On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LockedOnRockets
📲 Twitter: https://twitter.com/JTGatlin & https://twitter.com/LockedOnRockets
📲 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jtgatlin.bsky.social
🎧 Follow/Subscribe/Listen:
Locked On Rockets Anywhere: https://linktr.ee/LockedOnRockets
Locked On NBA Anywhere: https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA
For your next listen, check out the Locked On NBA podcast, where the season never ends providing national expertise with a local perspective. Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
OpenPhone – Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at www.openphone.com/lockedonnba
Hungryroot – With Hungryroot, it’s like having a personal shopper and a nutritionist all in one. For a limited time, get 40% off your first box and a free item in every box for life! Just go to Hungryroot.com/lockedonnba and use code LOCKEDONNBA.
Monarch Money – Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnba for 50% off your first year
Gametime – Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuel – Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
#HoustonRockets #Rockets #NBA #KevinDurant #AlperenSengun #AmenThompson #JabariSmithJr #TariEason #ReedSheppard #FredVanVleet #DorianFinneySmith #StevenAdams #AaronHoliday #JaeSeanTate #JeffGreen #ClintCapela
40 Comments
Sheppard is lazy, that's the reason why he struggles.
One thing I've always been curious about is the apprehension to pickup former UofH players who played for Kelvin Sampson. Not sure it's because a lot of his players play 4+ yrs for UofH. Names recently who have been in NBA or GLeague – Nate Hinton, Quentin Grimes, LJ Cryer, Jamal Sheed. The centers/forwards don't seem to get traction. I think Grimes would have been a solid addition as well as Cryer/Sheed. Hinton has tried to make the team a few years now.
He definitely needs the reps Jackson
They don't need to force it. He can find some time w/big frontcourts/zone and some guys would be better match ups. Not sure if he's ever been the point you envision, but he could be the sniper they need sometimes, this season.
It was reported the decision to shut him down was a precautionary measure due to calf soreness.
A) Rockets summer league team is the opposite of the actual team. In the actual team he's going to be the 4th or 5th option and will be defended accordingly.
B) his actual offensive role is to BE defended and punish when he's not so that opponents will not be able to afford to double team Sengun or Durant when he's on the floor. If he does that, he'll actually be better than Fred of the 2025.
C) I dont see a world where Reed gives up on defense. He's young, he has the reflexes and the willingness. He's going to learn his defensive role in a short time just like all others.
I think the Rockets should sign another veteran guard just in case Reed is not ready. Quentin Grimes, Seth Curry, Malcolm Brogdon are all still available. I read an article suggesting the Rockets trade for guard Keon Ellis from Sacramento. Ellis is a 43% shooter from 3 point land.
Reed Shepard = white JG… just remember we could have had Clingan or Ware instead of signing past their prime Centers
Undersize guard takes a while to get used to the size of the league. Gotta remember Austin Reaves, Payton Pritchard, and even Derrick white all struggle early on due to their size and unplayable at first and those guys stayed at college till senior before getting into NBA. I don’t think Reed will have huge pressure since as a back up PG you’re like option 8 at best. One thing that Reed impressed me is how much attention opponents coaches give on guarding Reed even on regular season. He is getting respected by the league beyond the arc which only handful of player Rockets get last season
Again when you don't allow him last year to play through the growing pains and then turn around and expect him to all of a sudden to be better what do you expect. You can't skip the process and clearing the rockets brass don't seem to get that. His growing pains should have been done last year but they refused to do it. What can you expect.
Well they picked him knowing he’s not getting any bigger
i hope reed will never come out to be like Jalen offensively, dude been struggling and his defense is already at a disadvantage due to his height. At least Jalen is more athletic and have already gained experience in the playoffs
People thinking Reed is Fred's replacement is a bit delusional. Unfortunately he's a undersized two guard. Seldomly do you want him bringing the ball up or trying to operate the offense. As we've seen teams go up 10-20 points while he's trying to run the offense. Reed isn't good at ball handling or creating his shot and lacks speed, he's easy to clamp up or put in a box. People we're clamoring about him scoring 28 but at the expense of bad inefficiency and the team losing because he's shooting from nearly half court and taking horrible shots within the game. Reed was jacking them up like J Gupp and Cam. After watching him mic'd up, berating the refs, whining throughout the game, turning the ball over then barking at NFtaly, it seems Reed is a bit entitled for some reason. Young fella hasn't earned anything and gotta prove it. The thing is if Jalen played like this in summer league the fans would have ripped him a new one or if Cam was complaining throughout the game like Reed or taking those horrendous shots Ime would of benched him for half of the season.
Reeds defense, while he has great hands, causes a lot of chicken strips and has great anticipation while reading between passing lanes. This doesn't signify great or good defense. Harden was similar, great hands and always was stripping players because opponents would always blow by him. When players blow by you it messes up the teams defensive cadence leaving a man having to cover for your mistake most likely that would be Sengun as the last line of defense. A Solid defender is a guy whose solid at the point of attack and good at bodying up/guarding their man among the perimeter, keeping the man in front of them than some one getting smoked with a few strips or random chase down blocks. Either way the best scenario for Reed is running him off the ball, let him roam off flare screens and being a movement shooter like Klay Thompson in certain scenarios, other wise the team will lose leads as quick as we earn them with him at point guard. One of the commentators for the recent game probably had some of the best advice and constructive criticism I've heard towards Reed during Sundays game.
That last game was awful….BUT I'm not worried because we've seen him play well against NBA teams with extended minutes. I know the Thunder probably had their foot off the gas, but they still played their starters and that thunder team going 75% is still better than any summer league team. Also against the Clippers they were actually trying and he played really well against them as well. Plus we've seen him play well in summer league/ Gleague EVERY time except this one.
I do think it's possible he could have bad moments next season, but I think he'll play well much more often than not.
We fucked up this pick
He is no whitmore😅
Bro why are we all overreacting. It’s crazy. The contradictions from Jackson are super annoying. Mentioned it was concerning he couldn’t deal with pressure but then mentioned Fred does too without a screen.
He’s not even a second year player yet. Yall gotta chill.
If he ain’t good we got more bites at the apple, but it’s gonna take time and we all gotta be patient. Reed will not be the reason we do or not win a chip this season.
Also saying reed wasn’t the best player on the rockets summer league team is hella crazy, do better Jackson
Kinda lost a little hope in Reed but his game against okc last season gives me hope
Sheppard might be a bust.
hell be fine. young players are inconsistent. hes got high iq. hell figure it out. the squads 10+ deep. this isnt a crisis.
I don't understand how anyone in their right mind is backing Reed up, he has been practicing non stop for this up and coming summer league.. on the defensive end and offensive end. He literally looked lost and confused on how to score, but as a spot up shooter he works well. but he's meant to be a play maker and create his own shot. It was a very bad showing, when you're struggling against nobodies in the summer league… your franchise is not going to be impressed.
Fuck that you gave up on whitmore with a bigger upside ,so he should get traded away also
Still think we should've gambled on Topic, and believe Reed in every other draft would be a 10-15 pick.
Hopefully he finds his footing and proves me wrong.
I'm afraid Reed seems like he's not going to cut it. FVV is going to be playing 35+ every night.
They shut him down as a precaution after the leg soreness. The title implies that he was shut down after (due to) struggles against the Pistons. He had one great game and one bad game. He was likely playing on a sore leg in that bad game and one should we already be speculating about his future in the NBA? Really?
Maybe you can see if the suns has another over the hill superstar that we can trade Reed for now😏
I don't see a concern because of one bad game. We could as well ignore the bad game and concentrate on the first game he scored 28 pts. I just feel the Rockets did not have a good summer league squad. That impacts the total outcome. Yes, I wish the Rockets had let him play more games before they shut him down.
Regardless, he will be just fine with the team.
I’m afraid the rockets are going to find out the hard way that they should’ve traded Reed Cam and Jabari instead of green and brooks because our back court is only getting worst not better🤷🏾♂️
Positive. we knew him is not a isolation player, he is not curry. in SL we r using him as curry, this need some time to adjust.
he is secondary player maker and shooter, need time to build the body and change the defense mindset, he gambled a lot, overall he need some time
He's a bust. He can't playmake.
Number 47 is a much better player in this regard.
Are the Rockets going to fumble Reed Sheppard like they did Cam Whitmore??
Did only Jalen Green deserve to get a chance to learn from his mistakes and improve??
Should've just drafted Matta Buzzlis or Castle. I'm not sold on Reed. I trusted Cam more than him. I believe that's why Cam was upset. Seeing Reed get the Wheel; knowing he was better! If he can't be at least a Mark Price, I'll be upset.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16
Jesus loves you!
Just a heads-up—Reed Shepherd picked up a calf injury during the third quarter of the Clippers game. These types of injuries typically take a few weeks to fully heal, so it might be affecting his performance in the matchup against the Pistons. Hoping he bounces back soon!
I definitely wasn’t a fan of selecting him with the 3rd pick. He hasn’t did anything to change my mind. At best- he’ll be a decent role player. Maybe.
Just a couple days ago, y'all had a video out saying he was ballin' and shit. Hes 19. He'll get better
Not concerned, he was dead tired out there in game 2 you could tell, he's gonna get in game shape for the season. Also, the guys couldn't set him a solid screen to save their lives
Reminds me of a time when we had a different rookie guard come in on our championship team and although his first yr. getting minutes he would end up deep into the lane with no place to go, but he learned fast. His name was Sam Cassel. Reed needs minutes as he’s literally had none to speak of as an NBA player.
The cover guy not good and not cever. He should do the cover like Robinson who in rocket summer league team last year at least.
We all know Reed no a great 1v1 player. But he can do many things after use big guy cover.😅