When the Houston Rockets entered the 2025-26 season, their biggest question mark wasn’t about Kevin Durant’s fit or Alperen Sengun’s leap: it was Reed Sheppard. The young guard, thrust into a major role after Fred VanVleet sustained a season-ending injury, became both the symbol of hope and the target of scrutiny in Houston’s new era.
Amid the criticism surrounding his early struggles, the Rockets’ best move is simple: patience. The organization must protect and nurture the 21-year-old’s developmental process rather than react to short-term frustrations.
Rockets’ Reed Sheppard Receiving Early Criticism
For a second-year player still adapting to the NBA’s pace, Sheppard’s rocky start was inevitable. He recorded for 18 points, five assists, and five turnovers across Houston’s season-opening losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons, struggling with decision-making under defensive pressure. Opponents attacked him relentlessly on defense, exposing the very weaknesses scouts flagged when he entered the league.
Those moments have fueled skepticism among fans and analysts who question whether Sheppard can run an NBA offense. But context matters: Sheppard is still learning to lead a veteran-heavy lineup while balancing floor spacing, tempo, and shot-selection. Expecting immediate stability from a player who logged just 12.6 minutes per game last season, across 52 appearances, is simply unrealistic.
The key then is not to judge Sheppard by isolated mistakes, but by how quickly he learns from them. His flashes of court vision, shooting potential, and composure suggest a player who just needs time and trust.
Signs Of Development Against Brooklyn
That trust began to pay off in Monday’s blowout win over the Brooklyn Nets, where Sheppard delivered his most balanced performance yet. He recorded 15 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds, with only two turnovers, controlling the pace and displaying newfound confidence as the Rockets secured their first victory of the season.
While much of his production came during the final stretch of a decided game, the growth was unmistakable. Sheppard looked more comfortable initiating offense, managing pick-and-rolls, and setting up teammates like Sengun and Tari Eason in-rhythm.
That mindset will be critical moving forward. Every possession, even the messy ones, helps Sheppard gain the experience necessary to eventually stabilize Houston’s offense.
Why Patience Is the Right Play
It’s tempting to limit Sheppard’s minutes in favor of short-term results but that would undermine the long-term vision. The Rockets’ ceiling this season depends heavily on developing a reliable playmaker who can complement Durant, Sengun, and Amen Thompson.
Benching Sheppard after a few uneven games would risk stunting his growth and disrupting team chemistry. Instead, the Rockets should lean into the process, allowing him to make mistakes, learn from film sessions, and refine his defensive instincts over time.
Criticism is inevitable, but so is development. As Sheppard gains confidence, his ability to blend shooting and facilitating could make Houston’s offense far more dynamic than it has been in years.
For a franchise building its identity around youth and versatility, this is about establishing trust in their system and timeline. Sheppard may not be perfect now, but his development is the investment that could pay the highest return.
A Long Game Worth Playing
In the NBA, growth rarely happens overnight. For Sheppard, each game offers lessons in patience, poise, and perseverance. His progress won’t always show up in box scores, but it will define the Rockets’ trajectory this season. Protecting him from reactionary criticism is essential when we talk about building strength.
Houston truly wants to unlock its offensive potential, the answer isn’t to look elsewhere. It’s to give Sheppard the time and trust to become the guard they drafted him to be.
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