Did the Houston Rockets Stunt Reed Sheppard’s Development? Or Is He Thriving Under Ime Udoka?
The Houston Rockets are in the middle of a heated conversation — and it centers around rookie guard Reed Sheppard and head coach Ime Udoka.
After a breakout stretch of performances, fans and analysts are now debating one major question:
Has the Rockets’ coaching staff helped accelerate Reed Sheppard’s development… or slowed it down by limiting his early-season role?
On this episode, the crew breaks down:
Reed Sheppard’s rise in production and confidence
The difference between his early-season struggles vs. recent breakout games
Whether starting lineup decisions actually impact long-term development
How much credit Ime Udoka deserves for Reed’s improvement
Why stats like “wins with Reed in the lineup” may lack context
The bigger picture: development vs. winning in a 50-win Rockets season
There’s also discussion around Reed’s transition into a more stable point guard role, his offensive decision-making, and how experience has slowed the game down for him.
Is this organic growth… or should the Rockets have played him more from the start?
Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇
Did Houston handle Reed Sheppard the right way?
#houstonrockets #rockets #rocketsnation #NBA #reedsheppard
14 Comments
Nobody can say anything now he dropped 9 threes
Reed's unlucky in the sense that he was selected 1 ahead of a phenomenal Stephon Castle.
Castle came in locked and ready, and took a massive step forward this year, and plays perfect with Wemby.
Whereas Sheppard has deficiencies all where Castle has has strengths, point of attack defense and playmaking aspects, as well as compatibility with the leading big men.
Honestly for me I just wish they played him more his first season especially after picking him a 3. More upset seeing Tate getting more playing time over Okogie.
Ime has seriously mismanaged Reed. In fact, this is the second time, he mismanaged Pritchard at Boston as well. Once Ime left, Pritchard went from 6.2 PPG to 17.5 PPG and got sixth man of the year. Reed should have been in the G League his entire first year. Turns out, with FVV going down, Ime cut his nose off to spite his face. I believe Boston wanted a reason to get rid of Ime and thy used the relationship biz to make it happen. You guys have the WORST takes, do you even want the Rockets games? How can you be so off base about every take??
Here's the problem: Reed may go 2 for 8 with 5 turnovers next game. Until that changes, I don't want to hear it.
Funny when I hear about certain players not playing defense in the NBA. Have you been paying attention to these scores?? NOBODY is playing defense in the NBA! So miss me with the bullshit.
FVV’s ACL apparently put him in a coma that he couldn’t mentor Reed
Tari was good for 1 game now he is crashing again, 1/7 against Bucks 5 points,
Tari Eason is not Kawhi Leonard, Ime Udoka.
Mike D'Antoni gives confidence to Steve Nash, Made James Harden play PG, Jeremy Lin – Linsanity.
Rockets really need to find a 7 Seconds or less Offense Coach.
Ime Udoka does not do anything helpful for Reed Sheppard. The PG position is made for mistakes especially in the beginning of their Career. Reed Sheppard already had fundamentals in dribbling with his left hand and switch to his right hand.
Jeff Van Gundy – Vassillis Spanoulis same situation.
The Assistant Coaches are playing Drills with Reed Sheppard. That is the only reason. Xs and Os in drawing up plays is a problem.
2:02 You can't dismiss Reed's record as a starter. 13-4 is impressive when you consider 12 of those starts were on the road and most were when the team was shorthanded.
And then juxtapose that with Tari's record as a starter which is a mediocre 20-13 and an even worse 10-9 when he starts with the Core Four(Alpi, Amen, Jabari, KD).