Scored 29+6+6+4+3 in 29 minutes! Why is Shepard the Rockets’ biggest X factor in the new season?

Translator's Note: This article was originally published on Yahoo, and the author is Brad Botkin. The data in the article are as of the time of publication of the original article (October 18, local time). The opinions in the article have nothing to do with the translator and the platform.

If you've been waiting for Reed Shepard to play a signature explosive game, then in the Houston Rockets' preseason finale on Thursday, your wish finally came true - the Rockets defeated the Atlanta Hawks with a score of 133 to 115, which was almost full strength. Shepard efficiently scored 29 points in 29 minutes of playing time, while also contributing six assists, six rebounds, four steals and three blocks.

Before we delve into the offensive end, we must first mention his defensive performance of seven steals and blocks. This number is indeed very eye-catching and is probably not an accident. As a 6-foot-3-inch (approximately 191 cm) guard, Sheppard blocked many opponents' shots during his college days at Kentucky. His destructive defensive style is considered fully capable of being transplanted to the NBA level.

Even with limited playing time in his rookie season, Shepard was still able to average nearly two steals and one block every 36 minutes last year. One of the key reasons why Fred VanVleet's injury was such a big blow to the Rockets' championship prospects is his ability to pressure the ball-handler on the defensive end. Unlike the kind of defender who can completely disrupt the opponent's entire offensive cycle through continuous pressing and switching defenses, Shepard prefers to play a defensive creator who is good at creating steals or blocks through anticipation; but despite this, the outside world's view that he may become a team's defensive vulnerability may lack sufficient practical basis. We still need to verify it through actual game samples, but for now, he does have the ability to create a lot of chaos for opponents on the defensive end.

If the above-mentioned defensive performance can be sustained, then considering the high opinion of most people on his offensive potential-at least if he finally gets the full space to perform-Sheppard's development ceiling may become quite high. This situation may not occur frequently this season, because the Rockets' offensive system will mainly revolve around core players such as Kevin Durant and Shen Jing. But in Thursday's game, you saw firsthand that Shepard's entire skill set was on display at his most confident and uninhibited.

Please pay attention to the diversity of Sheppard's scoring methods: he can create shooting opportunities through dribbling, and is also good at shooting immediately after receiving the ball; in the mid-range area, his pull-up jump shot can obtain excellent take-off height and shooting space; he also has a stable throwing technique, and clever finishing at the basket with his non-dominant hand. As a passer in pick-and-roll tactics, he shows broad vision and can accurately deliver bullets to the opposite corner to assist his teammates in hitting three-pointers; at the same time, as a breakthrough player, he can attract defensive attention and deliver easy dunks to his teammates.

The reason why Shepard is able to completely control the team's offense is because the Houston Rockets rested all their regular main players. No Durant, no Shen Jing, no Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson, Tarry Eason or Steven Adams. But the important thing is that the Atlanta Hawks sent almost the entire main lineup except Dyson Daniels. Sheppard's performance came against real competition, including against one of the league's most recognized tough perimeter defenders in Alexander Walker.

It is no exaggeration to say that this season is a huge opportunity for Sheppard, and he is expected to fill the vacancy left by VanVleet. Amen Thompson will likely be the starting point guard, at least the de facto ball-handler, but Sheppard's shooting ability is a weapon that Thompson cannot provide. The ultimate ideal situation is for these two to play together as a perfectly complementary backcourt, and we will see them on the court together frequently this season.

Shepard may not need to be a full-time starter for the Houston Rockets just yet. But make no mistake, with VanVleet sidelined and unless a veteran point guard is traded midway through the season, Sheppard will likely have to make a substantial impact this season if the Rockets hope to remain competitive. He is the X-factor of the team. There are still questions about whether Thompson is ready to play point guard, but we know he will continue to develop into a great player regardless. Just like we know that Durant will assume the core scoring task on the offensive end this season and Sengon will control rebounds and support in the interior, we also have such a clear understanding of Thompson's growth potential. The same is true for the team's existing defensive system, with clear and stable expectations.

Sheppard is the real uncertain variable, and if he can break out, it may indeed significantly change the Houston Rockets' championship prospects. Witnessing his performance in Thursday's game certainly gave people real hope for an early breakthrough.

Of course, he won't get as high a usage rate as he did Thursday, but you can still get a glimpse of all the tricks in his arsenal when he accelerates at full speed. If Sheppard can score efficiently while also establishing a foothold on the defensive end, the Rockets will naturally not mind gradually giving him more and more firing rights as the season progresses; and once that happens, the Rockets will become more difficult to deal with such a point guard threat.