Reed Sheppard's Improved Play Could Mean Big Things for the Rockets

The Houston Rockets are hoping to be title contenders this season. There was no other path once they decided to take their strong performance last season and trade for Kevin Durant in the offseason. Now they are 6–3 and are the fifth seed in a super competitive and packed Western Conference. 

When Fred VanVleet got injured in an offseason workout, some worried whether the Rockets would be able to recover. He was their lead ball handler and offensive orchestrator. After he went down, people were calling for sophomore guard Reed Sheppard to step up.

When the season began, it didn’t look like Reed was up for the task. In his first four games of the season, he was shooting an abysmal 35% from the field and didn’t look well prepared to take on a heavy offensive load.

Over the last five games, however, Reed has come alive. In those games, he is averaging 12.2 points, three assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He is also shooting 57.5% during that span. 

While this team will go as far as Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson take them, if Sheppard can be a key piece moving forward, their ceiling will definitely be raised. 

Sheppard is also playing for his life on the Rockets. When VanVleet went down, many called for Sheppard to be traded so that the Rockets could pick up another point guard to lead the offense. 

If Sheppard can’t continue to improve his play, he could find himself back on the trade block later this season.