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Rockets Point Guard Strategy: Holiday Starts, Sheppard Excels Off Bench
- Authors
- Name
- Edwin Popham
The Houston Rockets have shown promise this season at 22-12 despite Fred VanVleet's season-ending ACL injury, but recent losses like the back-to-back defeats to Portland highlight the need for a stable point guard. With Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun (when healthy), and Amen Thompson anchoring the roster, a reliable PG could solidify their playoff path. Aaron Holiday starting alongside Reed Sheppard off the bench offers a practical solution based on their on-court impacts.
Holiday's Case as Starter
Aaron Holiday brings veteran steadiness in limited minutes, posting a +4.5 to +6.3 net rating per 36 minutes across roughly 400 total minutes this season. His low-turnover style—prioritising clean distribution over high usage—would allow Durant to focus on scoring and Thompson to roam defensively without primary ball-handling duties. Holiday has one start this year (3 points, 4 assists), but his efficiency in wins (6.9 PPG vs 4.7 in losses) suggests he can set the tone early, reducing the hesitation seen in recent games.
In the Portland losses, the Rockets committed 13 turnovers each time, underscoring execution flaws against lesser teams. Holiday's role as a spot-up handler fits seamlessly, much like a consistent backend process managing flow without crashing under pressure.
Sheppard's Impact as Sixth Man
Reed Sheppard thrives in bench role, boasting a superior +11.8 net rating per 36 minutes over about 600 minutes, including standout +25 performances like his 18 points, 8 assists, and 5 steals against Cleveland. His 44.4% field goal shooting and elite free-throw accuracy (over 90%) stretch defences, igniting second units as a microwave scorer.
Shifting him full-time to starter risks overburdening his slight frame with initiation duties, where his streaky shooting shines brighter in bursts. Off the bench, Sheppard complements lineups with Eason or Finney-Smith, exploiting mismatches without the full game's defensive focus.
On-Court Plus/Minus Breakdown
| Player | Est. Minutes | Total +/- | Per 36 Min +/- | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Holiday | ~400 | +50-70 | +4.5 to +6.3 | Steady, low TOs in spot duty |
| Reed Sheppard | ~600 | +198 | +11.8 | Explosive runs, high assist/steal upside |
This data shows Sheppard's edge in impact per minute, but Holiday's consistency suits opening lineups.
Why This Pairing Wins Out
Committing Holiday to starter and Sheppard to sixth man addresses the Rockets' +8.1 overall net rating dips against sub-.500 foes, unlocking Durant's iso efficiency and Sengun's post presence upon return. It outperforms forcing Thompson into PG (recent neutral +/-) or splitting minutes haphazardly. Depth charts list Holiday behind the youngsters, but elevating him simplifies rotations for contention.
The Southwest Division remains tight, with Houston sixth in the West—playoffs loom, but title contention demands this tweak. A stable PG duo turns overachievement into dominance.