Reed Shepard, rocket detonator

« I like his pull from the 5-point line, even though he threw it in the air. » The name Udoka is ironic in relation to this very distant shot he attempted Reed Sheppard in the fourth quarter match against Spurs. But the Rockets coach sees this setback as a sign of confidence in his replacement leader.

This caused an uproar as the local team struggled to close the deficit by around ten points. “ He took and returned big shots, he was aggressive. We’ll need that from some guys on our team, who are testing different options. We were going through a bit of a slump, his offensive contribution obviously played a big role in getting us out of it », say hi to the coach.

In the middle of a 13-0 Houston lead, this rebound resulted in a game-winning basket in the corner and then a layup that Dorian Finney-Smith converted on a layup. Then, with five minutes to go, he converted another crucial 3-point shot, before making a triple off the dribble to give his team the lead again.

He would then follow up with a breakthrough to end his personal streak of eight points in a row. ” It’s a great feeling. A lot of it is a matter of personal confidence, but I also owe a lot to my teammates. As soon as I give one, they ask me, tell me to take the ball, and then the public plays a big role. It’s really nice to get fired up and start a run, especially in a match like this where you come back to score », he reacts.

The leader scored 12 of his 21 points (8/17 on shots, including 4/10 from distance and +/- of +15 on the score) in the final quarter. Almost as many as the entire opposing team (14). He had an impact on the other side of the field as well, opposing Julian Champagne, the man in the best form of the evening on the Spurs side (27 points), behind the arc.

Influence in defense as well

« (Champagnie) shot really well in the first half. We didn’t let him make that many threes in the second half, but he’s a great shooter. I knew he was in full swing, so I thought he was going to shoot. I tried to compete as well as I could without blaming him “, describes Reed Shepard.

The latter is aware that his playing time will also depend on his investment in defense. ” I can’t just be a one-dimensional player, just a threat in attack. I have to be able to defend and help the team on that side of the field as well. A good defense helps me attack, it allows me to get into the rhythm of the match “, he thinks.

An impact noted by his coach who, even if he doubled his leader’s playing time from last year, still uses Reid Shepard irregularly. Earlier in January, we saw him play 33 minutes in Portland, then just 14 two days later in Sacramento. But this situation does not disturb him.

« When I was at Kentucky, I didn’t start games and I never let it affect me. I’m just getting back on the court because I’m very grateful for this experience. I’m in the NBA and I play on a very good team. Whether I play 15 minutes or 29 minutes, that’s how it is. I want to go out on the floor, play the right way and make my contribution », he finishes.

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How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.