Reed Sheppard

"Reed will be a huge part of what we do." Ime Udoka on Reed Sheppard, despite a Rockets backcourt now including Marcus Smart and Fred VanVleet. Sheppard has improved everywhere, especially on defense. Udoka wants a 10-man rotation early, saving some developing players.

Ime Udoka doesn't expect Marcus Smart's preseason edge over Reed Sheppard to last into the regular season: the two "complement each other and can play together." Smart, Amen Thompson and Tari Eason are a defensive unit the Rockets coach keeps "in our back pocket."