For a team considered to have one of the best young cores in the league, the Houston Rockets’ performance in the Rising Stars event underwhelmed. Sophomore and Rockets defensive star Amen Thompson entered the tournament as the best player. Naturally, his not winning tournament MVP was a disappointment. But it’s who did win the award that will send Rockets fans to squabbling amongst themselves, and it has nothing to do with Thompson.
Houston Rockets Rising Stars: The Good And Bad News
The Rising Stars MVP award went to promising San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle. The new format, which now includes a G League team, successfully elevated the competitive intensity of the event. Castle matched the moment and certainly boosted his Rookie of the Year odds.
Still, even among Spurs fans, few would suggest that Castle is currently a better player than Thompson. Of course, San Antonio would have had the best player in the event if he hadn’t been busy getting ready to elevate the competitive integrity of the All-Star game instead.
But the point is that Victor Wembanyama doesn’t count, which is probably what NBA players say after their layup attempts get trivially scooped from the air. That leaves fellow 2023-draftee Thompson as the clear man at the top. As much was acknowledged in the drafting process.
Thompson’s Performance
Thompson put up 11 points (team high), two rebounds, and two assists in his team’s defeat. He “shot” 5-6 from the field and effortlessly put his team ahead in the final seconds before a Bryce McGowens game-winner sealed the deal for the G Leaguers. Sadly, those hoping to see a dominant defensive display from the mind-meld between him and twin brother Ausar Thompson were left disappointed. It was competitive for a Rising Stars event but not enough for dominant defensive displays.
But Thompson has looked apparent for a while now. He has showcased his future-star credentials ever since Jabari Smith Jr. went down with injury and the sophomore assumed his spot in the Rockets’ starting lineup. Instead, the main takeaway from the Rising Stars event will concern this year’s draft and who the Rockets chose to pass up on.
Did The Rockets Bet On The Wrong Rising Star?
Castle winning the Rising Stars MVP award was salt in the wound for Houston fans who believe the front office drafted the wrong guard. Castle, the fifth overall pick, would certainly fit better with head coach Ime Udoka’s defensively oriented approach to basketball. Better than the Rocket’s fourth overall pick, Reed Sheppard.
Sheppard had a rough night representing team G League. Not only did his own teammate post him up and dunk on him like he wasn’t even there, but the rookie went scoreless in both his team’s games.
Sheppard’s Season
Nobody cares about exhibition events in a vacuum, of course. Ironically, the trouble is that Sheppard’s season has been rather vacuous. An early bench role quickly dried up in favour of Cam Whitmore. A vast swathe of DNPs followed. Due to the Rockets’ recent injuries, he has appeared in the team’s last eight games, but his production has been very minimal. He’s scored 4.4 points per game on 30% shooting from the field and 26.9% from three.
The argument for Sheppard over Castle was primarily about shooting need. After all, the Rockets essentially have a better version of Castle already in Thompson (even if he can’t snag the hardware to “prove” it). But Sheppard’s fulfilled the shooting need about as well as a Nerf gun would at a firing range. For the season overall, he’s shooting 27.3% from deep.
Still, even with this recent and very public reality check on Sheppard’s progress, the team can expect the shooting to come around eventually. It’s just unlikely to be this season. As for Castle, he’ll certainly be much happier with his situation in San Antonito. There he stands to inherit a spot in a strong starting backcourt alongside recent Texas arrival and melodrama star De’Aaron Fox.
The Last Word
Thanks to the new format, the Rising Stars game was an enjoyable evening all around, even if it underwhelmed somewhat for Rockets fans. The team isn’t giving up on Sheppard. He’ll get a chance to earn another spot in next year’s Rising Stars event as a sophomore. As for Thompson, who knows? Next year, he might even have his eyes set on the main event.
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