Reed Sheppard
It is no secret that the Houston Rockets are in dire need of a playmaking guard. Despite the success they have been able to have this year, they have clearly been missing having a steady floor general out there. The preseason injury to Fred VanVleet certainly changed up the direction and how they wanted to run the offense.
They have still not found anybody to consistently take the spot. Josh Okogie has been getting run with the starters, with he and Amen Thompson playing some point guard. While they have not added anybody since the year started, that could still very much change.
On the bright side, Reed Sheppard broke out of his funk and delivered a big performance for the team on Tuesday night.
The #3 pick in the 2024 draft had been in a bit of a slump, and he helped energize the team to a double-digit comeback victory over the Spurs.
Reed Sheppard Delivers Big for Rockets
In need of a guard to deliver, Reed Sheppard answered the call for the Rockets on Tuesday night. Seeing consistent play from the position has been a nightmare this season, but the Kentucky product made sure for one night it would be there.
Sheppard finished the day with 21 points and four assists in his 29 minutes of action. Adding to that was a +15 net rating, which was the best by any player on the night. There wasn’t much he wasn’t doing to effect winning, proving to be the most important player on the floor.
The Rockets sixth man had scored 11 points or fewer in seven of his previous nine games before this one. Delivering against a team like San Antonio, sitting #2 in the West and a threat to win it all, shows just how good Sheppard can be. It’s one thing to do it against the middling teams, but against the stacked ones, it shows all that it needs to.
Busting out of his slump at the perfect time, Sheppard helped Houston to win their third game in a row. Following a streak of consecutive losses to teams at the bottom of the standings, they have their mojo back.
Rockets Looking to Keep Things Going
A three-game winning streak is no small feat. Breaking out of a skid with a streak shows that a team can handle a few punches, and then hit right back. The team will travel East for a quick two-game road trip against the Pistons and 76ers, trying to extend their run by a few more games.
Reed Sheppard putting up production last night as he did certainly provides hope that the team can get scoring from their reserve guards. The hunt for a starting point guard is still very much on, but having their young sixth man deliver can put things to bed for at least a moment.
There are plenty of PG’s available to be had in either a deal or on the free agent market.
From a week ago, an article on why the team should consider bringing in Killian Hayes, if they weren’t planning to acquire a PG via trade. He would fit the playmaking mold well, while also being a strong slasher that can move without the ball if needed.
Whatever Houston opts to do, they will remain a contender. But a steady floor general could push them just a little bit farther.