"Houston is currently spiraling, losing three games in a row. As the halfway point of the season approaches, evidence for their would-be contenderhood-the double-big stuff with Amen Thompson flying around gives them an actual edge on the Thunder, they have maybe the best wing depth in the NBA-is matched if not exceeded by the evidence for their possible fraudhood: rotten turnover differential, inability to make enough three-pointers, an offense that "looks like shit.""
"To that last point: It's become uncomfortably clear over the last two months that Reed Sheppard is a critical player for Houston. This is a problem for coach Ime Udoka, who wants to win every game 82-70 and utilize nothing but mean, nasty 6-foot-9 guys who beat the crud out of people and play offense more or less on accident, with the sole purpose of resting to come back even meaner and nastier on the next defensive possession."
Houston is spiraling, losing three straight games as the season midpoint approaches. Double-big lineups with Amen Thompson provide defensive advantages and strong wing depth. Concurrently the team suffers a rotten turnover differential, poor three-point shooting and an offense that looks stagnant. Reed Sheppard has emerged as a critical offensive catalyst who can beat defenders off the dribble and create lanes. Coach Ime Udoka prioritizes physical, 6-foot-9 lineups and conservative offense, but those personnel choices leave Houston without consistent ballhandlers and spacing. Absent Sheppard, the offense reduces to Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant playing isolation turns.
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