Reed Sheppard - TJ McConnell
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He definitely could, he’s got the game for it. He needs to hang out with guys like him in the offseason. He’s probably more athletic than him even. I kinda hope he gets traded in a Durant trade at the draft to the Suns. He could get real minutes there off the bench. He could learn from Booker and Beal.
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Why do I suspect that ain’t the only “similarity” causing people to make this comparison?
It’s a bit of an odd discussion, as you don’t normally see debates on whether a Top 3 pick can “potentially develop” into something like an undrafted player. And they’re actually quite different players. It was Reed’s crazy three point shooting that made him such a hot prospect, whereas McConnell has never been known as a shooter. Meanwhile, Reed ain’t even close to the caliber defender that McConnell is.
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I chuckled at it myself. If TJ wasn’t white, OP would have never thought about the comparison. Nothing against the OP because it’s done all the time on this board. The best is when posters compare current white UK players to former players…there will be a theme.
Well, they are both white that's for sure. Very different type of players though. McConnell has a really weird, slow release from 3 and that's probably going to be Reed's biggest strength as an NBA player moving forward.
It was simply an observation. I didn't say Reed was close to the player TJ is, I simply said" potential". Who cares if they're both white? Some of you read way too far into things.
Well, it appears you do, given that this thread was started.
Because that’s just not a comparison that would pop in anyone’s head if not for the skin color similarity. As they’re actually very different types of players. One is a defense-first non-shooter, the other known for being quite the opposite.
I made a comparison between 2 NBA players, which was actually meant to generate legitimate discussion and you decide in your mind that simply because they’re both white, there’s an underlying theme behind the comparison? I never once considered the race angle. In reality. I’m simply attempting to figure out how Reed Sheppard can improve his game and get more playing time and thought he could possibly take the TJ McConnell route.
I love it when people don't think race matters. Stereotypes exist for a reason. White players play a certain way, just like black players play a certain way. I like the comparison. TJ is actually a decent shooter (shot over 40% from 3, for 3 years in the league) but its not his job to chuck 4-5 3's a game. Reed needs to play with that intensity and defensive mindset TJ brings.
Chucking 3's is Reed's job though. Shooting is the thing that got him drafted #3 overall instead of undrafted like McConnell. I don't understand the comparison and the sentiment that Reed needs to be "more like TJ McConnell" as if Reed doesn't play hard or something.
Here’s the thing, McConnell developed into a more in -your-face defender, pushing the tempo type guard, something that was lacking in his game. He worked his way from being undrafted to a major contributor on a team that is one game away from potentially being NBA Champions. There’s no reason why Reed can’t diversify his game and take a similar path.
TJ McConnell has cracked 40% from 3 on a season a couple times, but shot 30% this year. And you're leaving out a ton of context (or just don't really watch him play). He only shoots 3s when he is wide open because he has a super slow, funky release. He was 15-49 from 3 point range this year. He hasn't made more than 20 3's in a season in 3 years (and that was 26). His career high in 3s made in a season is 31 in his rookie year. It's the only time in his 10 year NBA career he has made over 30 3 point shots in a season.
Reed Sheppard only played 52 games this season and made 48 3 point shots. He attempted nearly as many 3 point shots this season in 52 games than McConnell has attempted in the last 3 years combined playing over 70 games a year.
Simply put, they are just completely different players with different strengths. Sure, Reed could benefit from doing a lot of the other things McConnell does. But that doesn't make it a good comparison, at all.
McConnell is a 10-year veteran that has started less than 14% of the games that he's ever played in the NBA. Reed was a rookie stuck behind more experienced guards. You can't compare the two.
Except TJ does not play the “certain way” associated with white players, so there’s no reason to be making that comparison here.
I know the stereotype exists that small white players are supposed to be crappy defenders who are out there to shoot threes. But that’s the opposite of McConnell’s game. He hardly ever takes threes and defense is his calling card.
It normally makes sense to compare players to those most similar in skill set and style. And Reed and TJ ain’t that similar except for …well, you know.
If Reed Sheppard has TJ McConnell's career he was a pretty big disappointment. Just because some random Rockets fans said it that doesn't make them right.
Of course they do. And we know why.Rockets fans tend to agree with my sentiment.
LOTS of people will be making that comparison, but likely without acknowledging the real reason it popped in their head.
Tell that to Rockets fans. The comparisons between the 2 are more frequent than you think.
Except I have given you several statistics and specific points that illustrate how different their games are. Not just a couple quotes.
So players can’t diversify and improve upon their game? I never once said they had the SAME game. I simply stated Reed could enhance his game mich the same way TJ has.
Did I ever say that players couldn't diversify and improve their games? McConnell's game is what it is. He's a 10 year NBA vet who is not by any means a 3 point shooter, never was never will be. It's Reed Sheppard's biggest strength. I already said Reed could benefit by picking up some other facets of McConnell's game. But at his core he's a 3 point specialist, the opposite of McConnell.
it's a bad comp. sorry man
Nobody cares what random people on Twitter are saying. They don't really want that. He's a career backup, role player. He's just the one guy who happens to be playing right now who is also White. Nobody in New York is saying that they wish more players played like Jeremy Lin these days.Tell that to Rockets fans. The comparisons between the 2 are more frequent than you think.
90% of the league needs to play more like TJ McConnell in regards to intensity. That's not Reed's issue. He's a rookie that needs playing time that he wasn't going to get behind Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet, and Amen Thompson. I won't be shocked if Reed gets traded to a different team anyway.
I actually think that Reed's ceiling is closer to being a poor man's Steve Nash (poor man's version being the key). Nash played 4 years of college. If Reed had stayed at kentucky, he would just be entering his junior year.
I think Reed could feasibly see a career where he averages something around 16 to 18 points per game and drops five to seven assists per game.
I think Reed could feasibly see a career where he averages something around 16 to 18 points per game and drops five to seven assists per game.
I agree with the OP. The presence of two distinct playing styles does not necessarily preclude a comparison of the paths available to both players to secure increased playing time.
Furthermore, the fact that both players are white is entirely irrelevant.
Furthermore, the fact that both players are white is entirely irrelevant.
Better watch yourself bro, comparing white players isn't allowed. You will be dressed down accordingly!! Lol
Fair enough. I can accept that. But honestly, both being white never even entered my mind when I made the post.
I really don't see an issue with these 'little white guy' comparisons. I don't think there's inherently evil-hearted racist about it. In a game dominated by uber talented and athletic large black men... small, less athletic, white dudes just stick out.
Live in the Phoenix area and a big Suns fan- I hope we do not get Reed in a trade- the Suns need some toughness and defense and Reed, IMO is neither..... yet
I think it's more subconscious than anything. People always want to compare white guys to white guys, I don't think they do it with ill intent.
I don’t think it’s racist or even wrong. I just think it’s funny. There’s like this “white guys must be compared to other white guys” (even when it doesn’t make sense) mental block that folks don’t even realize they have.
Fwiw, if I were to make a stylistic comp of TJ to another white player, it would be someone more like Aaron Craft than Reed …the rare little white guy who’s a defensive badass but not a shooter. Albeit he’s a really rich man’s version of Craft.
Rockets fans tend to agree with my sentiment.
I see Reed being more of a Larry Bird or Kevin Mchale or Luc Longley. All are similar in the same way Reed is McConnnel.
I'm going to ignore that the comp was even TJ McConnell.
If you rephrase the OP's question to: "Anyone else see Reed potentially developing into a career backup?"... (which is what McConnell is)
Then the comp absurdity at this point in Reed's career becomes more obvious. The reaction should basically be, "Well, I was hoping that we could aim a bit higher than that."
If you rephrase the OP's question to: "Anyone else see Reed potentially developing into a career backup?"... (which is what McConnell is)
Then the comp absurdity at this point in Reed's career becomes more obvious. The reaction should basically be, "Well, I was hoping that we could aim a bit higher than that."
He needs to shoot better and not be an open valve on defense to get playing time. TJ is white. Reed is white. That’s about the beginning and end of their similarities. You either compared them because of skin color or because you’re pretty clueless about their respective skill sets. 🤷🏻♂️
Said the dude who compared Reed and TJ. Google irony. Gain some self-awareness. Might be a productive day for you. Or just dig in and keep proving how “right” you are.
I don’t think it’s racism, it’s just not very bright. Hey look, a short white guy that plays and gets good time. Reed is a short white guy! He should do that too. Even though his game is completely different.
Totally agreed. I think it’s all completely innocent. But also super inaccurate too. I can think of about a dozen black backup PGs that play a lot like TJ.
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