ESPN ran their yearly offseason NBA executive poll, and Reed Sheppard of the Houston Rockets was one of their favorites. 20 Executives voted in the survey.
First, he took home the most votes in the category: Which rookie will prove to be the draft’s best pick?
According to ESPN, that category is defined as “the strongest intersection of value and fit,” and Sheppard came in first with seven votes.
Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets: 7 votes
Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers: 3
Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs: 2
Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers: 2
Bub Carrington, Washington Wizards: 2
Nikola Topic, Oklahoma City Thunder: 1
Rob Dillingham, Minnesota Timberwolves: 1
Zaccharie Risacher, Hawks: 1
One voter preferred not to answer.
Also according to ESPN: “Sheppard is going to help Houston right away, and I think he has a chance to be an All-Star down the road,” one high-ranking Eastern Conference executive said.
Then, Sheppard also took first in the NBA Rookie of the Year caregory, again with seven votes.
Reed Sheppard, Rockets: 7 votes
Zach Edey, Grizzlies: 4
Stephon Castle, Spurs: 3
Donovan Clingan, Trail Blazers: 2
Zaccharie Risacher, Hawks: 1
Ron Holland II, Pistons: 1
Dalton Knecht, Lakers: 1
Tristan da Silva, Orlando Magic: 1
ESPN’s write up had this to say: “Sheppard again garnered the popular vote. He was likely also a beneficiary of summer league bias, but there’s an increasing notion that the Rockets will have to find him the level of playing time necessary to contend for NBA Rookie of the Year.”
That’s a pretty good vote showing from Houston’s rookie, and now Sheppard has the weight of higher expectations on his shoulders heading into the season. That’s not always a good thing for a young player, but if what we saw in NBA Summer League was the real deal, I think he’ll be able to live up to them.
