The Houston Rockets have a huge decision to make at the point guard spot

The NBA has changed a lot over the years. At times, the Houston Rockets have been at the forefront of those changes.

Along with the Warriors, the Rockets ushered in the three-point revolution. In the process, they raised questions about the new positionless NBA. Namely, the Rockets had people asking:

“What is a point guard?”

Was James Harden a point guard? His annual gaudy assist totals would say yes. Yet, the Rockets brought the Point God himself on board to support him. Harden and Chris Paul formed one of the most dynamic backcourts in the league.

Flash forward to 2024, and Fred VanVleet is running point for the Rockets. He’s more of a traditional point guard. That said, the Rockets’ future at the position lies elsewhere.

We’re just not sure where it lies. When the Rockets drafted Amen Thompson, he was expected to be their point guard of the future.

Now, Jackson Gatlin of Locked on Rockets is suggesting that Reed Sheppard may be the future at the position.

Rockets face conundrum at point

“Reed Sheppard is going to be Fred VanVleet’s direct backup this season”

-Jackson Gatlin, Locked on Rockets

That’s interesting. It’s also not particularly surprising. Thompson wasn’t VanVleet’s direct backup last season - for the most part, that was Aaron Holiday.

It begs the question - do the Rockets intend on giving Thompson a shake at point guard? There are certainly valid concerns about his future at the position. In today’s NBA, a lead ball-handler without a jump shot is a dodgy proposition.

As a rookie, Thompson generated 0.79 points per possession (PPP) as a ball-handler in pick and roll sets. That’s fewer than notoriously inefficient rookie Scoot Henderson (0.86).

Sure, running a pick and roll isn’t a point guard’s only responsibility. Still, it is the most popular set in the modern NBA. If Thompson can’t improve his efficiency in that area, handing him the keys as a floor general may prove difficult.

By contrast, we haven’t seen Sheppard run a pick-and-roll at the NBA level yet. We do know that he shot a blistering 52.1% from three-point range for Kentucky last season. That type of absurd accuracy could make him a more dynamic playmaker than Thompson as defenders won’t as easily be able to slip under screens. In fact, if Thompson has the ball, they’ll likely sag off of him entirely.

Still, we don’t know if Sheppard can beat opponents off the dribble. He has limited burst, and could stand to improve his handle.

Are either of these guys the point guard of the future?

Rockets have an embarrassment of riches

This whole time, we’ve been asking a trick question. It’s 2024 - it doesn’t matter who “the point guard” is.

Suppose Thompson’s in-between game develops to the point where he’s able to leverage his rim pressure into playmaking opportunities. Now, suppose Sheppard is able to beat his man regularly enough. Great:

The Rockets have two point guards. You could even get crazy and include Alperen Sengun in the mix, and make it three.

Having multiple playmakers on the floor is an advantage, not a problem - as long as they don’t have overlapping weaknesses. That’s not a concern between Sheppard and Thompson. They’re practically diametric basketball opposites.

Thompson’s other-worldly athleticism can compensate for any defensive limitations Sheppard may have. Sheppard’s elite three-point gravity can cover for Thompson’s non-shooting. If they both hit their ceilings, Thompson will nominally lineup at the 3 or the 4, but he’ll be given opportunities to make plays.

If all goes well, the Rockets could change basketball -

Again.