Bronny James did not start his time in the G-League that well. But then, he started turning the corner and had much better statistics in a four-game stretch last month. However, it was not close to the dominating performance that Houston Rockets 1st rounder Reed Sheppard put up.
Reed Sheppard was the third overall draft pick for the Houston Rockets. The reason they picked him was that he showed that he could score from anywhere with ease during his time with the Kentucky Wildcats. The 6′ 2″ guard could also handle playmaking when needed.
He played 30 games in his debut season, but the most he scored was 12 points against the Chicago Bulls. Since that game, he hasn’t crack double-digits. That saw him being moved to their G-League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
In his first game with the Vipers, he scored a staggering 49 points along with 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals, all from a little over 36 minutes. When NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins saw an X post showcasing these numbers, he replied to it where he wrote.
This is how NBA players in the G-League is supposed to look.
Kendrick Perkins wrote
This is how NBA players in the G-League is supposed to look https://t.co/uDwnSZStiy
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) January 8, 2025
This was a sneaky shot at Bronny James, another NBA player in the G-League who has not produced a similarly dominating performance. Perkins was once a huge supporter of James Jr.. But one harsh comment about his father and close friend LeBron James threw the friendship out of the window.
Comparing Reed Sheppard with Bronny James
As per ESPN ranking of the 2023 recruiting class, Bronny James was three positions above Reed Sheppard. They are nearly the same size and weight but have different playing styles. On top of that, what separated them was their vastly different seasons in college.
On one hand, James could not play early due to his cardiac arrest. Then after returning, he lacked confidence, and the lack of development made matters worse. A forgettable college season saw many suggest he was not ready for the NBA.
On the other hand, Sheppard started for the Kentucky Wildcats and soon became their primary scorer. He was eventually named the national freshman of the year after a stellar campaign under famed coach John Calipari.
That led him to go No. 3 in the draft, whereas the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Bronny James at No. 55 to help him play alongside his father. If not for that caveat, it is unlikely he would have come into the NBA. Rather he could have been forced to stay back at USC and develop further.
Therefore, even if they were comparable prior to their freshman year in college, their differing situations have made them incomparable. Bronny James needs time, whereas Reed Sheppard is NBA ready and could have been a starter on a mediocre team.
That friendship, or rather a lack of, could have prompted Kendrick Perkins to take a shot at Bronny James. As currently, James Jr. needs at least a year or two of developmental work under good coaches to even reach Sheppard’s level.
Stay Updated!
Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.
