Reed Sheppard - 2024 NBA Draft Prospect

[paperboy77]

Right. Is that why we had an embedded scout at UConn all season?

Why the hell would anyone pay someone to be full time at UConn for a small chance of getting that player? That's silly. Probably looking at their center TBH.

[Mr. Body]

Why the hell would anyone pay someone to be full time at UConn for a small chance of getting that player? That's silly. Probably looking at their center TBH.

Scouting Castle, scouting Cling Kong, scouting the other terrific players they had in Newton and Spencer, scouting a high end college program humming at the top of its game implementing super-sophisticated sets on offense and defense.

[Mr. Body]

Time will tell. But all these things have been said about great players. Nash, a two time league MVP started his career as a third string point guard behind KJ and Jason Kidd. He was slow but a good passer and shooter. He was short and couldn’t guard anyone. And he became a two time league MVP. But if you just went by his measurements, he shouldn’t even have been in the league according to these arguments.

The problem I have with the comps is that Nash was a first rate point guard out of Santa Clara or whatever tiny Cal school he went to college. Fantastic handles, excellent counters, could get anywhere. While Sheppard's handles are rudimentary and he's very limited with what he can do on ball. Absolutely can improve, but I think it's more unlikely than not that he gets to running screening actions and threatens with the ball in his hands nearly to that level. He wasn't the offensive initiator in college, Dillingham was. He's a good connector and secondary passer, but he never much was able to get things done against college defenders.

[scott]

Agreed. I think Phoenix would be smart to get their three picks back plus Sheppard, Whitmore, and matching salary for Booker this summer. Especially if they can get the Rockets to throw Jabari in. Reed's gonna be a good player though.

Here's the Matt Ishiba Bail-Out Plan:

1. PHX sends Booker to HOU for the deal you suggest (their picks, even if it's only 2 of the 3 - so lets say its PHX25 and PHX27, HOU keeps PHX29), Sheppard, Whitmore, Jabari.
2. PHX sends KD to MIN for Randle + Jaden McDaniels and DET25 (Protected 1-13, then 1-11, then 1-9). This is the only pick MIN has to trade lol. This would be complicated because of the 2nd Apron ramifications of both teams. Probably needs to be the last deal done.
3. PHX sends Beal and the least favorable of UTA/CLE/MIN27 to DAL for Kyrie. Nico Harrison does this because he's stupid and needs to "give it a go" with a "second star" around AD.

PHX gets completely bailed out and can rebuild with Randle and Kyrie coming off their books in the Summer of 26.

PHX fans should be spamming this in their 2k sims :lol

[baseline bum]

Here's the Matt Ishiba Bail-Out Plan:

1. PHX sends Booker to HOU for the deal you suggest (their picks, even if it's only 2 of the 3 - so lets say its PHX25 and PHX27, HOU keeps PHX29), Sheppard, Whitmore, Jabari.
2. PHX sends KD to MIN for Randle + Jaden McDaniels and DET25 (Protected 1-13, then 1-11, then 1-9). This is the only pick MIN has to trade lol. This would be complicated because of the 2nd Apron ramifications of both teams. Probably needs to be the last deal done.
3. PHX sends Beal and the least favorable of UTA/CLE/MIN27 to DAL for Kyrie. Nico Harrison does this because he's stupid and needs to "give it a go" with a "second star" around AD.

PHX gets completely bailed out and can rebuild with Randle and Kyrie coming off their books in the Summer of 26.

PHX fans should be spamming this in their 2k sims :lol

God would I love to get in on that deal and snag Jaden. Who the hell would score on a starting lineup with Fox, Castle, McDaniels, and Wemby?

[baseline bum]

Scouting Castle, scouting Cling Kong, scouting the other terrific players they had in Newton and Spencer, scouting a high end college program humming at the top of its game implementing super-sophisticated sets on offense and defense.

Shit maybe scouting Hurley too

[scott]

Honestly enjoying this post-mortem on Sheppard. I remember not being too impressed with him and only having him in my Top 5 because I was basically convinced by everyone else's conviction. My Top 3 were Castle, Buzelis and Holland... woeful shooters but it's at least looking like there is hope for Castle and Buzz. Holland might be a lost cause from 3PT land.

Not going to make the same mistake this year... no one is going to talk me into some bullshit like having Danny Wolf as a lotto pick :lol

[scott]

God would I love to get in on that deal and snag Jaden. Who the hell would score on a starting lineup with Fox, Castle, McDaniels, and Wemby?

Might not be too far fetched! I have no clue how MIN is going to go gunning for KD, but they're going to have to suffer a little to make it happen, there aren't a whole lot of was to make the salaries work unless Matt Lloyd is going to go Full-Nico and trade Ant for KD :lol Never go Full-Nico.

[rjv]

Honestly enjoying this post-mortem on Sheppard. I remember not being too impressed with him and only having him in my Top 5 because I was basically convinced by everyone else's conviction. My Top 3 were Castle, Buzelis and Holland... woeful shooters but it's at least looking like there is hope for Castle and Buzz. Holland might be a lost cause from 3PT land.

Not going to make the same mistake this year... no one is going to talk me into some bullshit like having Danny Wolf as a lotto pick :lol

i was in on Castle from the moment the Spurs were designated the 4th pick in the draft so I was beyond elated when the rockets took the second coming of Steve Alford.

[spurraider21]

Honestly enjoying this post-mortem on Sheppard. I remember not being too impressed with him and only having him in my Top 5 because I was basically convinced by everyone else's conviction. My Top 3 were Castle, Buzelis and Holland... woeful shooters but it's at least looking like there is hope for Castle and Buzz. Holland might be a lost cause from 3PT land.

Not going to make the same mistake this year... no one is going to talk me into some bullshit like having Danny Wolf as a lotto pick :lol
its funny... i liked sheppard a lot because i thought he had enough juice to be a point guard. i liked castle (albeit less than sheppard) but specifically as a G/F and not a pure point. i had wing castle in my 2nd tier during the draft, and point guard castle as 3rd tier. heck, i'd love loved a sheppard/castle pairing in the backcourt

with us landing Fox, the need for a pure point guard is gone, and we have been playing castle more as a combo guard/wing than we have as a point guard, so its worked out well

[scott]

its funny... i liked sheppard a lot because i thought he had enough juice to be a point guard. i liked castle (albeit less than sheppard) but specifically as a G/F and not a pure point. i had wing castle in my 2nd tier during the draft, and point guard castle as 3rd tier

with us landing Fox, the need for a pure point guard is gone, and we have been playing castle more as a combo guard/wing than we have as a point guard, so its worked out well

I remember having PG Castle and SG Castle rated differently... but I honestly can't remember which one I had higher... it might have been PG Castle. After 50+ games of watching him, I'm glad we're getting SG/Secondary Ball Handler Castle, I think he's much better in that role

[exstatic]

Why the hell would anyone pay someone to be full time at UConn for a small chance of getting that player? That's silly. Probably looking at their center TBH.

How much do you think scouts actually make? It isn’t a lot, and is certainly worth paying to not miss on atop 4 pick. You see things in practice that won’t even see in person at a game. Spurs knew who Castle was when no one else did.

[spurraider21]

I remember having PG Castle and SG Castle rated differently... but I honestly can't remember which one I had higher... it might have been PG Castle. After 50+ games of watching him, I'm glad we're getting SG/Secondary Ball Handler Castle, I think he's much better in that role
yeah i had sheppard tier 1, wing castle tier 2, point guard castle tier 3

castle's PG skills have impressed me, though, he made a great impression in summer league. but now that we have Fox its become somewhat moot. if anything it kinds works better since fox is a score-first guard and should blend quite well with a combo guard who can also facilitate

[mo7888]

Honestly enjoying this post-mortem on Sheppard. I remember not being too impressed with him and only having him in my Top 5 because I was basically convinced by everyone else's conviction. My Top 3 were Castle, Buzelis and Holland... woeful shooters but it's at least looking like there is hope for Castle and Buzz. Holland might be a lost cause from 3PT land.

Not going to make the same mistake this year... no one is going to talk me into some bullshit like having Danny Wolf as a lotto pick :lol

My top tier was Risacher, Sarr, and Buzelis. I had Castle and Reed in my 2nd tier. At the time, I was hoping one would fall and we could get Castle + Reed. I thought that would be a good combination that would cover for each players shortcomings. Castle has become a better shooter than I had envisioned.

[baseline bum]

My top tier was Risacher, Sarr, and Buzelis. I had Castle and Reed in my 2nd tier. At the time, I was hoping one would fall and we could get Castle + Reed. I thought that would be a good combination that would cover for each players shortcomings. Castle has become a better shooter than I had envisioned.

My best case draft was Castle (4) + trading up to take Risacher (5) if the #1 pick hype was a smokescreen, with Castle (4) + Holland (8) and Castle (4) + Buzelis (8) my next choices. But Castle + Fox kills the fuck out of any of those scenarios.

[cd98]

The problem I have with the comps is that Nash was a first rate point guard out of Santa Clara or whatever tiny Cal school he went to college. Fantastic handles, excellent counters, could get anywhere. While Sheppard's handles are rudimentary and he's very limited with what he can do on ball. Absolutely can improve, but I think it's more unlikely than not that he gets to running screening actions and threatens with the ball in his hands nearly to that level. He wasn't the offensive initiator in college, Dillingham was. He's a good connector and secondary passer, but he never much was able to get things done against college defenders.

Nash was picked 15 in the draft. Reed was picked 3rd. I'm pretty sure Sheppard had better measurables than Nash. And Nash took some work to transition into an MVP. We'll see with Sheppard. But the idea that he can't improve as a ball handler I think is a little shortsighted. My point is that people label a player in his first year and discount his talent based on this or that. And yet some players find success and some don't. There are few sure fires in the NBA draft. Lots of players bust. But the fact that Reed plays behind several quality NBA starters and has spent some time in the G-League during his first year is a really poor reason to say he can't be a high level player in the NBA. Scouts certainly think he can. The Rockets, who have done a pretty good job of drafting, think he can. Time will tell, but I think his current situation is based more on situation than on talent.

[mo7888]

My best case draft was Castle (4) + trading up to take Risacher (5) if the #1 pick hype was a smokescreen, with Castle (4) + Holland (8) and Castle (4) + Buzelis (8) my next choices. But Castle + Fox kills the fuck out of any of those scenarios.

No doubt... Fox wasn't even on my radar back then. Now I'm think about who can play alongside with those two in a starting lineup or off the bench.

[paperboy77]

How much do you think scouts actually make? It isn’t a lot, and is certainly worth paying to not miss on atop 4 pick. You see things in practice that won’t even see in person at a game. Spurs knew who Castle was when no one else did.

So then we had scouts watching several players. That we had one watching Castle just means he was an option.

[exstatic]

So then we had scouts watching several players. That we had one watching Castle just means he was an option.

This scout was embedded all year at UConn, just to watch Castle.

[dn0774]

This scout was embedded all year at UConn, just to watch Castle.

I'm curious what exactly that entails. Do scouts watch practices or are those closed off? The scout(s) must be granted some kind of access by coach Hurley I would assume? Are the players aware of who the scouts are and which team they are there for? Just seems odd to dedicate a scout for 1 college player unless they are getting actual behind the scenes access which I wasn't aware of college coaches granting.

[Mr. Body]

I'm curious what exactly that entails. Do scouts watch practices or are those closed off? The scout(s) must be granted some kind of access by coach Hurley I would assume? Are the players aware of who the scouts are and which team they are there for? Just seems odd to dedicate a scout for 1 college player unless they are getting actual behind the scenes access which I wasn't aware of college coaches granting.

It sounds like UConn and Hurley had a very close relationship with the Spurs scout and were very accommodating.

As mentioned above, I believe they were also scouting everything else, but a focus on Castle.

[Mr. Body]

Sheppard has a broken thumb and out at least four weeks but may be for the season as they're ramping up for the playoffs.

I have to say overall I'm pretty surprised and disappointed in him this season. I didn't think he'd be this poor overall.

[CGD]

https://youtu.be/mz_oexjT7hM?feature=shared

[dn0774]

Sheppard has a broken thumb and out at least four weeks but may be for the season as they're ramping up for the playoffs.

I have to say overall I'm pretty surprised and disappointed in him this season. I didn't think he'd be this poor overall.

Yea, disappointing to be sure. Beginning of the year I figured Aaron Holiday would get spot minutes at most because Reed would have backup point all to himself at the very least and yet they have essentially split those minutes (and Amen has taken some too). I would expect Reed to be playing summer league in Vegas again this year, doubt he expected that to be the case.

Crazy to think about that first game of Reeds at last years summer league where he looked incredible and the narrative quickly formed that he was going to be an instant star and he was too good for summer league. I remember thinking "damn, of course the Rockets stole him from us" lol.

[djohn2oo8]

Yeah Phoenix can kiss my fucking ass. Reed scored 15 points in 9 minutes :lol

[baseline bum]

Yeah Phoenix can kiss my fucking ass. Reed scored 15 points in 9 minutes :lol

I think I'd rather keep Phoenix's picks than trade them plus Sheppard plus Smith plus Brooks just for Booker. They're gonna go right back to being a 20-30 win team without Durant just like they were last time Booker was their lone star. Save those picks to go after someone like Giannis.

[djohn2oo8]

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[djohn2oo8]

I think I'd rather keep Phoenix's picks than trade them plus Sheppard plus Smith plus Brooks just for Booker. They're gonna go right back to being a 20-30 win team without Durant just like they were last time Booker was their lone star. Save those picks to go after someone like Giannis.
Yep. I can’t believe Phoenix blew it at the deadline. I’m holding out hope for Giannis but, won’t be mad if they keep those Suns’ picks.

[mystargtr34]

Jalen Green is going to be 80% of Booker in about 2 seasons. No point trading multiple assets for an older version of a similar player.

[LeBowen]

Yep. I can’t believe Phoenix blew it at the deadline. I’m holding out hope for Giannis but, won’t be mad if they keep those Suns’ picks.

You're not getting Giannis without Amen going the other way.

[Mr. Body]

Jalen Green is going to be 80% of Booker in about 2 seasons. No point trading multiple assets for an older version of a similar player.

I don't think that's even close to ever happening, and I hate Booker.

[Maddog]

he does well against G-league teams.

[exstatic]

Jalen Green is going to be 80% of Booker in about 2 seasons. No point trading multiple assets for an older version of a similar player.

80% of an All Star player isn’t another All Star player. It’s not the flex comparison you think it is. Not even a Book fan.

[CGD]

The Houston situation is interesting. Screw the PHX turd sandwich, I’d trade in all the chips for Giannis tho.

[rascal]

1907637140118192406

Nice job micro analyzing a player who's been an over rated draft pick bust. You can take any player in the league and pull a small sample and say he's good.

[LeBowen]

Nice job micro analyzing a player who's been an over rated draft pick bust. You can take any player in the league and pull a small sample and say he's good.

Idk why are people acting surprised about Sheppard's performance.
He's an athletically challenged elite shooter. He got easy looks against the worst team in the league.
It's not like he didn't dominate when they sent him to G-league.

His issues are physical, it remains to be seen if he'll be able to improve enough in that regard to be anything more than a Patty Mills.

[djohn2oo8]

Nice job micro analyzing a player who's been an over rated draft pick bust. You can take any player in the league and pull a small sample and say he's good.
Good to see you don’t know talent. He’s a shooter. Possibly an elite one. He needs reps

[djohn2oo8]

I’m also sure you don’t know what the word bust means.

[Mr. Body]

Sheppard had a good shooting night against a team desperate to lose all their remaining games. What am I missing here.

[R. DeMurre]

I remember when Josh Primo was a member of the Spurs, the logic was that all fans needed to have at least three seasons of patience...

[djohn2oo8]

Sheppard had a good shooting night against a team desperate to lose all their remaining games. What am I missing here.
A good shooter can shoot no matter who is the opponent. You give them reps when you can.

[mo7888]

It was a good night against a poor team. It doesn't mean much, but it's also to soon to call him a bust.

[spurraider21]

if there was one part of Sheppard's game i didnt doubt would translate, it was his catch-and-shoot abilities. but he's way too small to be a SG, and even as a PG is undersized. for him to have a successsful NBA career, he's going to have to leverage that shooting ability to create openings for himself to attack and playmake. the reason i was so high on him during the draft is because i believed that he'd be able to reach that point, but so far we havent seen it much this year other than a flash game or two

nice to see him knock down 3's at the end of a blowout i guess, but thats not the indicator we really need from him

[Mr. Body]

A good shooter can shoot no matter who is the opponent. You give them reps when you can.

Must explain why he's shooting 35% and 31% from three this season. Excellent shooter no matter the opponent.

[John B]

Bryn Forbes would hit those open shots and didn’t cost a 3rd overall pick.

[exstatic]

A good shooter can shoot no matter who is the opponent. You give them reps when you can.

That’s not even remotely true.

[djohn2oo8]

Must explain why he's shooting 35% and 31% from three this season. Excellent shooter no matter the opponent.
I hope for your sake you are using not stats from 11 minutes per game. I hope you are not that dense.

[djohn2oo8]

That’s not even remotely true.
Which part?

[exstatic]

Which part?

The part about being able to shoot against anyone. Top team and individual defense will put a ding in anyone’s percentage

[Mr. Body]

I hope for your sake you are using not stats from 11 minutes per game. I hope you are not that dense.

I mean it directly deletes your dumb homer take. But I've been petty correct about my assessment of Sheppard since last year in college.

[Mr. Body]

The part about being able to shoot against anyone. Top team and individual defense will put a ding in anyone’s percentage

He can't even get a shot up if a defender is anywhere close.

[djohn2oo8]

The part about being able to shoot against anyone. Top team and individual defense will put a ding in anyone’s percentage
Or a good three point shooter can break down a good defense……

[djohn2oo8]

I mean it directly deletes your dumb homer take. But I've been petty correct about my assessment of Sheppard since last year in college.
You took stats from 11 minutes a game brother :lmao

[John B]

Or a good three point shooter can break down a good defense……

Nah a good team would open up shots. I’m talking about Steve Kerr’s of the world who benefited from MJ, or Derek Fisher from Kobe, Gary Neal from the Big 3. Reed would be killing it with Celtics.

[Mr. Body]

Or a good three point shooter can break down a good defense……

Two completely different skills.

[Mr. Body]

You took stats from 11 minutes a game brother :lmao

Yeah. You said a good shooter is good against anybody. Stats prove otherwise.

Also, I saw all the problems he has now when he was in college and those are never going away. Have fun watching him though.

[djohn2oo8]

Nah a good team would open up shots. I’m talking about Steve Kerr’s of the world who benefited from MJ, or Derek Fisher from Kobe, Gary Neal from the Big 3. Reed would be killing it with Celtics.
The Celtics are even more stacked than the Rockets :lmao

Reed isn’t playing much because of that

[djohn2oo8]

Yeah. You said a good shooter is good against anybody. Stats prove otherwise.

Also, I saw all the problems he has now when he was in college and those are never going away. Have fun watching him though.
11 MPG is not a good sample size and you’re dumb as fuck if you think so. No matter who it is. Ime will develop Reed and his minutes will increase in year 2. He’s not out there stat chasing on a bad team.

[John B]

The Celtics are even more stacked than the Rockets :lmao

Reed isn’t playing much because of that

I’m not talking about minutes but getting him the open shots. The Celtics move the ball well thus creating open shots, much like when it was the Big 3. Pop’s plays create open shots for people like Mills, Beli, Neal and even Forbes.

[djohn2oo8]

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[djohn2oo8]

1910189545242427451

Just needs reps. He’s either traded for a star or in the rotation next season.

[exstatic]

1910189545242427451

Just needs reps. He’s either traded for a star or in the rotation next season.

No one is trading a star for Jimmer II. :rollin

[exstatic]

Houston’s season Drtg is 109.9, 3rd in the NBA. Playing Reed Shepard heavy minutes yielded 134 fucking points for the LAC.

[djohn2oo8]

Houston’s season Drtg is 109.9, 3rd in the NBA. Playing Reed Shepard heavy minutes yielded 134 fucking points for the LAC.
Thompson didn’t play. Brooks didn’t play. FVV didn’t play. Sengun didn’t play. Do research next time instead of looking fucking stupid :lol

[dn0774]

Kid had a nice offensive game against a playoff team that needed to win, good to see. He was being hunted by Harden early as expected. Fun to see him get minutes/more tape.

[spurraider21]

Kid had a nice offensive game against a playoff team that needed to win, good to see. He was being hunted by Harden early as expected. Fun to see him get minutes/more tape.
harden hunts everybody, dude's been an apex predator for a decade.

[exstatic]

Thompson didn’t play. Brooks didn’t play. FVV didn’t play. Sengun didn’t play. Do research next time instead of looking fucking stupid :lol

I think you have just very succinctly and unintentionally summed up why Reed doesn’t play. There are a lot of better players AND defenders on your team. He’s one of the lowest on the Rockets totem pole. No team is trading a star for him.