Locking the second point guard? Rockets Stone speaks out and supports the 21-year-old newcomer! Talented, but needs to be fulfilled

Although it seems that the Rockets will have the Big Three Durant, Shin Kyung and Amen Thompson next season, there are also many star-level players, such as Van Vreet, Smith Jr., Ethan, etc. However, the Rockets' variables and the only uncertainty factor next season are probably their 21-year-old defender Shepard.

As the No. 3 pick last season, Shepard can be said to have opened high and closed low last season. At the beginning, Uduka always put him in the rotation lineup and served as a substitute guard. He was Van Vreet's first substitute and sometimes became Jaylen Green's main substitute. However, Shepard did not seize these opportunities. His performance was quite average, and his three-point shooting percentage was not too high on his fame. He was injured and absent. After he recovered, the Rockets directly transferred him to the Development League Vipers.

During the week with the Vipers, Shepard was arguably in the Development League, played beautiful numbers, and became the best player of the Development League that week. Although he was recalled later, he lost the opportunity to enter the rotation. Uduka would reuse Whitmore and Aaron Holiday to replace Shepard.

But now the new season is coming, and the Rockets will reuse Shepard. This is what Manager Stone and Coach Uduka said in unison at the summary meeting last season. Van Vreet is the first point guard next season, while Shepard will become the second point guard, and veteran Aaron Holiday will become the third point guard for the Rockets. In other words, Shepard's ability has always been favored by the Rockets, but he needs to convert this ability into the game.

Recently, Rockets general manager Raphael Stone specifically talked about Shepard in an interview. He believes that the management, coach and teammates have the same view. They are very optimistic about Shepard and think that he is extremely talented, but he needs to realize this talent and convert it into the game to regain his confidence. "He will do it, he has put in a lot of effort, he will get a chance."

It seems that this is the Rockets' current attitude towards Shepard: Shepard is capable and talented, but she is too nervous and lacks confidence last season. If Shepard is competent as the second point guard through a summer of training and hard work, the Rockets will definitely reuse him next season. Shepard can shoot three-pointers, and has high ball skills. He has improved his strength and defense this summer. In addition, he has very good passing ability. As long as Shepard can perform normally, as a double-athlete defender with few backcourts in the Rockets, he will definitely get more opportunities and even become a core player in the second team.

At least, Manager Stone is very optimistic about Shepard, but the premise is that Shepard must seize the opportunity next season. If it doesn't work, he probably will fall out of the rotation lineup.