This season, the Rockets are rich in talent and have many available players, naturally leading to a rise in their record, which currently stands at 24 wins and 12 losses, ranking second in the West, closely following the Thunder.
With so many young talents on the Rockets, it's natural that some players don't get enough playing time, or because they have some obvious shortcomings, they can't compete with their opponents and can only watch as they lose their chances and playing time.
The top four scorers for the Rockets right now are Jalen Green, Sengun, VanVleet, and Dillon, followed by sophomore swingman Amen Thompson at number five.
In yesterday's victory over the Wizards, Amen Thompson scored 20 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists, showing great strength. He has now scored over 20 points in two consecutive games and has grabbed 15 or more rebounds in a single game four times in his career, second only to Wembanyama among rookies in 2023.
As a result, not only did Whitmore lose his chance, but Sheppard also had no hope.
Sheppard was the third overall pick by the Rockets this season and performed well in the NBA Summer League, having some opportunities in the preseason games, and was seen as a strong contender for Rookie of the Year.
However, in the regular season, Sheppard's performance was poor, having played only 30 regular-season games so far, averaging a low 3.3 points per game.
Out of necessity, to allow Sheppard to play consistently and maintain his form, the Rockets finally decided to let him play in the NBA G League.
At the familiar Vipers team, Sheppard exploded.
Yesterday, against the Blue, the affiliate team of the Thunder, Sheppard shot 17 for 33 from the field, including 8 for 19 from beyond the arc, scoring an incredible 49 points, including 27 points in the final quarter alone.
A single-game score of 49 points is the second-highest in the NBA G League this season, with the highest being 53 points by Grizzlies player Cam Spencer.
This actually highlights a significant issue: Sheppard is capable, but he has a clear technical flaw - his off-ball offense is average, and he needs the ball in his hands. However, the Rockets have too many ball-handlers, and Sheppard can't contribute points consistently; often, the ball doesn't even reach him.
In the NBA G League, Sheppard became the absolute core, with all the ball rights, and exploded immediately.
This season is considered a weak draft year, and there are many "lame" players in terms of technical skills who can perform well in lower-level competitions. Sheppard is just one of the more obvious examples.
Many Rockets players watched Sheppard's highlight reel of his debut 49 points in the locker room and praised him, indicating that the locker room atmosphere is actually quite good. We hope Sheppard can return quickly.