Reed Sheppard isn't getting the love he deserves in major awards races

As the sun sets on another regular season, the Houston Rockets have plenty to be grateful for. A 52-30 record was good enough to avoid the dreaded play-in, while also setting the stage for a classic Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James series in the first round. There are plenty of things to note about this season, but it wouldn’t be right if Reed Sheppard didn’t get his flowers.

With the Rockets at their best, Sheppard can be a key part of what is to come for this playoff stretch. Looking at his regular season, however, it feels as if he isn’t getting the respect he has earned.

Reed Sheppard's scoring elevated massively this season

Sheppard, one of the effective young guys on the team, finished the season with averages of 13.5 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.9 rebounds. He also saw jumps in shooting percentage, steals, and minutes. While the jump in minutes is definitely playing a large role in this, it still amazes me how little conversation there is regarding his status in the race for Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year. He can be found in the 6MOTY odds, below the likes of Keldon Johnson, Jamie Jaquez Jr., and Naz Reid. But for MIP? Looks like no room for Sheppard.

Were the Rockets correct in running with the young guns?

There has been plenty of chatter about the Rockets' youth, which can be seen as limiting the roster's needs. It is easy to say that trading for “ready now” players is the move, but the grass isn’t always greener. Sheppard’s improvements speak on that, and he's not alone on the Rockets.

Other young teammates like Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. continue to have the chance to blossom into key members of the future. Understandably, the fans want to see improved defense/spacing, while also letting Alperen Sengun focus on what he does best. We will just have to see what happens come Saturday when the playoffs begin.

Regardless of what the voters think, Houston has come to appreciate the potential Sheppard brings to the table. The postseason is only just beginning, and there is a long road ahead. As Game One approaches, I am excited to see what is beyond this season.

What the Rockets do now doesn’t just affect the team in the moment; it sets the standard of what is to come. Regardless of what that may mean, I think it’ll make for a more developed and effective unit.