Many counted out Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard after a disappointing rookie season last year. But now, he is playing a crucial role and taking a massive leap on a Rockets team that looks like a legitimate title contender.
It's not the exact same situation, but Sheppard may be teaching the Indiana Pacers and fans a valuable lesson regarding Jarace Walker, who continues to disappoint in his third season with the team.
Jarace Walker still needs to find his footing
Sheppard struggled in Houston last season for numerous reasons. He couldn't find his shot despite that being one of his biggest strengths coming out of Kentucky (he shot 35.1% from the field and 33.8% from deep as a rookie), and he didn't play with much confidence as a ball-handler or playmaker. Sheppard constantly hesitated whenever he had the ball, and he often would pass up open looks.
Plus, his lack of NBA-level athleticism and size as a 6-foot-2 combo guard made the adjustment to the big leagues tough for him.
But perhaps most importantly, his minutes were never consistent. Last season, Sheppard logged single-digit minutes in 21 of his 52 games. Additionally, he only had five games where he played 20 or more minutes.
It's always too early to call a rookie a bust, but many did exactly that with Sheppard, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Fortunately for him, though, he is enjoying a fantastic season right now, averaging 12.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in 22.1 minutes, all off the bench. Furthermore, he is shooting 49.5% from the field and a fantastic 50% from deep on 5.6 three-point field goal attempts per game.
Sheppard's turnaround isn't just because of natural development. He has figured out his role on the Rockets, bought into it, and is doing his thing at a high level.
And the Pacers will hope that Walker does the same.
The third-year forward had some high expectations heading into the season. He had shown flashes of being a valuable contributor on both sides of the ball before, and he was in line for a bigger role. However, he is still struggling greatly and not making the leap many had hoped for.
It's fair to assume that this is just what Walker is going to be. He'll always just be a project, or a player with all the tools who never put it together. Or, he just still needs to find his role in Indiana.
Amid his struggles, it's almost easy to forget just how much is on his plate right now. Walker just went from riding the bench for most of his first two seasons to averaging 29.4 minutes through 11 games this season. And, because of how many injuries the Pacers dealt with to begin the season, the Houston alum essentially became one of the team's most important players in every aspect of the game.
It's also easy to forget that Walker is just 22 years old. He still has a ton of room to grow.
As the Pacers get healthier and take a lot of pressure off Walker, he should be able to slow his role a bit and put the pieces together. He was a top-10 draft pick in 2023 for a reason, and it's up to Indiana to give him the opportunity to flourish.
It's just all about being patient at this point.