League's GMs hold lofty expectations for Rockets' Reed Sheppard

The Houston Rockets have high expectations for Reed Sheppard.

That's the cost of being picked 3rd overall. Yet, Sheppard seems to have an especially lofty projection. There seems to be a buzz around the NBA about this kid. Sheppard's talent is evident to anyone who watches him.

The league's general managers are no exception. They recently participated in the NBA's annual anonymous GM survey.

Sheppard seems to be the most popular rookie around the league's braintrust.

Sheppard cleans house in GM survey

For 50% of the league's general managers, Sheppard is the likely Rookie of the Year. That's impressive enough. If Sheppard takes that award home, he'll have made win-now contributions to the Rockets in year one. Still, he also earned a more significant distinction.

A whopping 43% of the league's GMs are expecting Sheppard to be the best player in his class. The Spurs' Stephon Castle received the second-most votes in that category, with 17% of the league's GMs picking him as the best player from his class.

That's a wide divide. Sheppard seems to be the consensus favorite among the league's decision-makers.

Can he live up to those expectations?

Sheppard has time to develop

We believe so. Still, it isn't a foregone conclusion. The league's GMs set two lofty expectations for Sheppard. Let's talk about each of those predictions independently.

We're pessimistic about his Rookie of the Year chances. That's strictly circumstantial. Sheppard is on a Rockets team that's been stockpiling high-end young talent for years. It will be challenging for Sheppard to earn a large enough role to take home the league's Rookie of the Year award.

Will he be the best player in this class? We're more optimistic here. Sheppard's potential is sky-high. Granted, it's still worth noting that nothing will be handed to him.

He needs to overcome his size. Sheppard's quick hands should keep him afloat defensively, but he can still likely be exploited. Unless he can master defensive fundamentals, Sheppard will have to be such a productive offensive player that it's worth living with his defensive shortcomings.

Luckily, we're bullish on his ability to accomplish that task. Sheppard looked like a generational shooter in college, and he's a smart player. As long as his shot translates, his three-point gravity should allow him to attack the basket and make plays with relative ease. He's got the tools to be a star in the NBA.

Most of the league's GMs would concur.