This season, the Houston Rockets have delivered an impressive performance, securing a solid second place in the Western Conference, despite not reaching the finals of the mid-season tournament. Their success is evident, and General Manager Stone's moves have inspired multiple rebuilding teams to follow suit. The combination of promising rookies and experienced veterans has directly contributed to the rapid rise of Houston. The growth of seven newcomers has far exceeded expectations, prompting the team management to abandon the idea of trading for superstar players. Instead, they aim to develop the potential of their players through continuous high-intensity competition, striving to establish them as cornerstones of the team.
However, this decision does not apply to everyone, especially the No. 3 pick from the 24th draft, Shepherd, who gained attention for his excellent ball-handling skills and precise shooting, even being hailed as a player comparable to Curry. The harsh reality dealt a blow to the young player, as he only managed to score 3.3 points per game in 11 minutes over 30 games with the Rockets. His once-prided finishing techniques were hindered by his slender physique, becoming a mental barrier that even led to him falling out of Coach Udoka's regular rotation. A shooter lacking in self-confidence is not enough to win every game, making him a target of criticism from various media outlets.
As a high draft pick, failing to achieve a single-game record of 20 points is hard to justify. For the long-term development of the team, there were even rumors of trading Shepherd. Despite the Sacramento Kings offering attractive terms, GM Stone did not agree, and it was this persistence that brought rewards to the Rockets. Considering the G League Winter Cup, the management sent him down to the affiliated Vipers. In just one game, Shepherd silenced all doubters, scoring 49 points with 17 out of 33 shots, including 8 out of 19 three-pointers, along with 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals in his debut.
In the following two games, he maintained his good form, with standout performances of 19 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals in one game, and 24 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals in another. These three matches demonstrated Shepherd's true worth, confirming his status as the No. 3 pick. Concurrently, the Rockets officially announced the recall of Shepherd to the NBA today. It was assumed that the team management had a change of heart and intended to nurture this future cornerstone, but it seems the decision-making ability of Stone was overestimated.
Shepherd's return differs from Whitmore's, as the former is an automatic recall upon contract expiration, with a predetermined return date set at the time of his demotion, not based on his average of 30.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. However, this practical training allowed Shepherd to regain his confidence and gradually adapt to the game rhythm. His outstanding performance will undoubtedly earn him more playing time and opportunities upon his return. As a disciple of Popovich, Udoka still shows a rigid side. In an interview with the media, he provided his stance on the future arrangements for rookie Shepherd: "The team has not yet decided whether to send Shepherd back to the G League for further training. The immediate priority is to maintain aggressiveness and lead the offense."
Despite the upcoming tight schedule with four games in six days, it remains uncertain whether Shepherd will be included in the rotation. The current starting and rotational lineup has achieved a three-game winning streak, and without injuries or rest considerations, Udoka is unlikely to make changes. After all, Shepherd's resilience is limited. He tends to become overly concerned about making or missing a shot or two in a game, rather than actively facing challenges and trying to regain confidence to rediscover his fiery offensive state from college. On a positive note, the young Shepherd's career has just begun, with ample time to make mistakes and learn, which may be the confidence the Rockets are providing.
