BREAKOUT: Reed Sheppard FUELS Rockets Rally Vs Nuggets, But Kevin Durant & Alperen Sengun Disappoint
BREAKOUT: Reed Sheppard FUELS Rockets Rally Vs Nuggets, But Kevin Durant & Alperen Sengun Disappoint
Houston Rockets fall short in a thriller against the Denver Nuggets, but Reed Sheppard’s explosive breakout hints at a game-changing dynamic for the team. Can his rise help the Rockets unlock their offensive potential and turn close losses into big wins down the stretch?
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) spotlights Shepherd’s career-high 27 points, the critical struggles from Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, and how lineup choices impacted the Rockets’ spacing and rhythm. Analysis covers Amen Thompson’s resurgence, the challenge of containing the Jokic-Murray tandem, and the evolving strategy under coach Ime Udoka. Tournament standings shake up the West with the Blazers surprisingly leading Group C.
Will lineup adjustments and Sheppard’s spark put Houston back in control? Share your thoughts and join the debate on the Rockets’ playoff prospects.
#Rockets #NBA #KevinDurant #AlperenSengun #ReedSheppard
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24 Comments
KD just seemed out of sorts last 2 games in general. Maybe dealing with those family issues prior to being listed out
At first I was annoyed with Amen, but he pulled it together. He stopped those dumb forced plays in the first quarter, but Alpi pissed me off from start to finish. I haven’t even felt like checking social media for the last two days.
Two things: 1) Ime Udoka and the offensive coaching staff needs to watch EuroBasket all over again. DO NOT stand and watch on offense! We said a 1000 times. I am sick of it. Off ball actions, god dammit! 2) Alp was receiving some backlash for some of the stuff he said in a video here in Türkiye. I believe that had an impact on his performance.
Rockets should take some lessons from this early time lost. This lost can be compensated.
You have to let Jokic eat. But stop the supporting cast. Stopping a Jokic midrange to then give up a Murray 3pts is not smart.
You keep talking about Reed’s “defensive concerns”. Who did Jovic score all his points on? My point is the Nuggets scored 112 points and Reed was a +13, and had 2 steals. KD and Sengun need to stop forcing up bad shots. Reed’s d is not a problem.
If the Rockets can’t beat the good teams, they play what’s the point they take care of the wizards but can’t beat the teams in the west. Has anyone ever seen Allpi make the one footed fadeaway shot?
We can now stop with that MORONIC (made by Turks) daddy Sengun crap. Right?
Jokic once again proves who the real daddy is. Alpi should be lucky to reach 70% of what Nikola does.
Now, I'm surw the team will grow and be better as the season goes on. KD needs to lock in harder. He iz 37 but 13 points game vs anyone is just unacceptable.
This is the 2nd interview this yr that Apli already skipped smh
This was KDs first after skipping the nuggets post GM interview
This team needs to learn how to pass better and have movement off the ball to create open shots. ISO plays against the stronger teams will always be hit or miss. Sometimes the players are just standing around the 3 point line doing nothing, how is that going to work?
"Running sets specifically for Reed Sheppard" is not something this offensive coaching staff can do. In the second half, Reed does not even need to shoot the ball to create space. He could just get in on off ball actions but this offensive coaching staff is not able to recognize that.
Sengun flopping all game, complaining to refs every possession, shrugging/looking defeated anytime he made a mistake. Really disappointing
Was there watching the game live. Have never been so disappointed in Sengun
The coaches are not creative enough especially in the offensive end. They should learn to run motion offense, bcos they too static. The offense shouldn’t be all about alpi & KD two men game or pick n roll. They should add ball movement & player movement. Just motion offense. When the two men game doesn’t work, they should ran motion offense.
Finally starting the jumbo line up is not making any sense at the moment.
Rims were too tight!
Are we talking about "Friday's" game on Monday??? I notice when we win the podcast come a lot sooner.
WHERE IS REEDS START
I thought KD was a top 10 player? Best duo? They both "combined" scored less than Sheppard. Baby Jokic ??? We are 0 -2 against the top teams we have to beat for the 'chip. And in both games they were without one of their best players (J – dub / Gordan). Bring on the sub .500 teams.
Sengun and KD didnt perform well but i believe they will bounce back… Sengun defense has improved over the years but not to a level where he cant get exposed… IME has done an amazing job hiding him, but with the addition of reed, it makes it difficult to hide both Sengun and Reed on the court at the same time, especially against teams who are stacked 1-5, you cant hide them
It's a male or moss league and we missed…I don't expect the other time we meet things will be different.. ..we have film now that we can break down….so don't fear
Reed !
We wont be outlasting elite feams😢in crunch time without fred.
Wish they looked for Reed more in the 2nd half🤦♂️
So no one is questioning the uneven foul calls? 3 of the 4 losses have come from refs no calls on KD and he ends up missing or turning it over for. Other top guys get those whistles. Been that way for the past 6 seasons