The Houston Rockets achieved a significant victory over the Washington Wizards today, with Jalen Green, Shen Jing, and Amen Thompson all performing exceptionally well, securing their second consecutive win and maintaining their position as the second seed in the Western Conference. However, there is another piece of good news that has emerged: Shepard has had a breakout performance. After being demoted to the G League's Vipers by the Rockets, he made his debut today. Shepard finished the game with an impressive stat line of 17 out of 33 shots, including 8 out of 19 from beyond the arc, scoring 49 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, dishing out 6 assists, and making 3 steals. For all Rockets fans, today confirms one fact: Shepard is not just a raw talent; he is a skilled rookie who simply lacks the physicality required.
Why did Shepard, who dominated in the Summer League, appear to be a liability on both offense and defense in the NBA? It's not that Shepard isn't capable; it's that his body hasn't kept up with the intensity of the league. Today's performance solidifies the notion that if Shepard can improve his physique to meet NBA standards, he will be able to showcase his talents. In today's game, Shepard displayed confidence in his outside shooting and aggressively attacked the basket, while defensively, he held his own and even served as the primary perimeter defender for the Vipers.
Regardless, the G League's level of competition surpasses that of the Summer League. Shepard's ability to exhibit his strengths in this environment validates the Rockets' draft decision. This may take some time, but it can be said that the Rockets were too slow in demoting Shepard. If they had waited several more games, Shepard's self-confidence might have been completely shattered. Now, playing in the G League makes Shepard happy, and after the game today, he even expressed gratitude to the Rockets for their decision to demote him, as both his teammates and coaches sent him messages of encouragement.
When asked by reporters if the Rockets had considered demoting him earlier, Shepard replied that they hadn't mentioned it before. He was only recently demoted to the G League, and although he wants to play, he currently doesn't get much playing time with the Rockets.
Shepard said, "I'm very confident today. I came to the G League to regain my confidence because I want to compete and stay in shape. I believe both the Rockets and Coach Udoka have their reasons, and they care about me. My teammates are also sending me messages, wishing me fun and encouraging me to enjoy the game."
In fact, Udoka has borne a lot of criticism, especially when he benched Whitmore and gave Shepard playing time. Udoka was heavily criticized, with many saying he was biased and taking advantage of Whitmore's lower draft position compared to Shepard, who was the third overall pick. However, Udoka's post-game comments today were also quite poignant, as the decision to demote or not demote a player is not solely up to the head coach. First, you must observe how Shepard performs, and since he is a high draft pick, the decision to demote him must be made carefully.
Udoka is not unaware that Shepard's abilities do not meet NBA standards, and he may not even be suitable for a rotational role, as anyone can exploit his lack of physical strength. But sometimes, there's no other choice. Udoka admitted that he observed Shepard for 20-25 games before making the tough decision. He believes that Shepard indeed does not reach the required level, and since he doesn't get much playing time with the Rockets, it would be better for him to play in the G League. Just like Whitmore found his confidence again in the G League, Shepard now has the opportunity to make a comeback.
Udoka said, "Demoting Shepard is beneficial. I've observed him for 20-25 games. I know his strengths and weaknesses, as well as the areas he needs to improve. We're currently dealing with injuries, and I prefer to use experienced players like Holiday and Tate. It's good that Shepard can get playing time in the G League. His playing time with the Rockets is inconsistent. Obviously, he needs to regain his past confidence in leading the team, whether it's playing off-ball or on-ball. Especially his confidence, as well as improving his shooting and creating shooting opportunities for his teammates, all of which need to be enhanced in the G League."