Inside The Rockets

Reed Sheppard Could Breakout Soon For Rockets

Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard could soon become an impact player.

Jeremy Brener

Dec 22, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) drives to the net as Toronto Raptors guard Ja'Kobe Walter (14) pursues during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Dec 22, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) drives to the net as Toronto Raptors guard Ja'Kobe Walter (14) pursues during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images / John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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Houston Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard has not performed like a No. 3 overall pick.

Sheppard is averaging just 3.4 points per game and is on the fringe of Ime Udoka's rotation.

However, CBS Sports writer Sam Quinn doesn't think that will be the case forever.

"His slow start for the Rockets this season means absolutely nothing to me," Quinn writes. "He's a rhythm shooter. How on Earth is he supposed to succeed playing 12 minutes per game? Ime Udoka is making him earn minutes, and he's not ready to do so defensively yet. That's OK. My suspicion is that at some point in the next year or two, Jalen Green will miss a few weeks due to injury, Sheppard will get a chance to play 30 minutes, and he'll never cede his spot."

There's a reason why the Rockets drafted Sheppard as high as they did. They could have traded the pick, but they have a plan for him. Udoka was hesitant to play Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore at the beginning of their rookie season, so there's reason to believe Sheppard could eventually get more minutes.

Sheppard and the Rockets are back in action tomorrow night when they take on LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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