“The Rockets firmly believe Reed Sheppard has star potential on the offensive end,” Tim MacMahon said on ESPN’s latest The Hoop Collective podcast.
The Houston Rockets drafted Reed Sheppard at No. 3 overall in the 2024 first round for a reason, and his last few games are showing why.
Over his last four outings, the 21-year-old has scored at least 12 points in each, all after having consecutive games as a double-figure scorer only once over his first 58 career appearances.
During that eight-day stretch, the Kentucky product is averaging 16.3 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 steals in 24.3 minutes while shooting 65.8% overall and 60.0% from 3-point range.
The Rockets went +5.3 with Sheppard on the floor in those games, and Houston (7-3) has won seven of its last eight, overall. So, most notably, Sheppard’s production is contributing to positive team results.
In the latest episode of ESPN’s The Hoop Collective podcast, veteran NBA insider Tim MacMahon — who is based in Texas and well connected to the Rockets — shed additional light on what Houston sees in its second-year point guard. Among his comments:
Here’s the thing. The Rockets firmly believe Reed Sheppard has star potential on the offensive end. Even when he didn’t shoot well early, like against OKC (Oct. 21 regular-season opener at Oklahoma City), they’re not worried about his shooting. He’s going to knock down shots.
There are some concerns about his defense, but you’ve seen them play a lot of zone when he’s on the floor. And if he’s shooting the ball like this, and making plays like this offensively, then it more than justifies having a scheme to protect him defensively, right? You’re not going to run the switch-everything stuff a lot with Reed Sheppard. That’s probably not going to happen, because he’s just not good enough as an on-ball defender right now. Maybe he progresses to the point where he can.
But if he’s shooting it like this, you can mix it up with the zone. You can do things to protect him, and it makes plenty of sense. And he’s in a role where he can come off the bench and be that type of instant offense, bucket-getter.
As for the defensive concerns, it’s worth noting that the first nine games of Houston’s 2025-26 regular season were particularly difficult. Per ESPN, the Rockets’ schedule was rated No. 6 overall at the start of this week.
Fortunately, their remaining games feature a much softer schedule at No. 23 among the league’s 30 teams, per Tankathon. That mark ranks third-easiest in the Western Conference.
So, between Sheppard’s lack of experience and size (he’s listed at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds) and a challenging schedule, it could be that head coach Ime Udoka was reluctant to experiment defensively early in the season. Now, as Sheppard gains experience and confidence and the schedule eases up, it might be a better time for the Rockets to try more things.
The next opportunities for Sheppard and the Rockets to build on their recent momentum come with a pair of home games this weekend versus the Portland Trail Blazers (Nov. 14) and Orlando Magic (Nov. 16).
Friday’s game tips off at 7:00 p.m. Central, while Sunday’s homestand finale is at 6:00 p.m. local time. Both games will be televised regionally on Space City Home Network and nationally via NBA League Pass.
