Editor’s Note: Read more NBA coverage from The Athletic here . The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its teams.

***

As momentum started to steer away from the Houston Rockets earlier this month against the Memphis Grizzlies, Alperen Sengun tossed a pass into Reed Sheppard’s shooting pocket. Sheppard stepped into a 3-point look he made countless times over the summer.

He passed it up.

Instead, the second-year guard took two dribbles toward the basket and stopped at the free-throw line. He had another wide-open look that he’s drained more times than he can count over the years.

He passed it up again.

As the defense swarmed him, Sheppard threw a pass to the corner to watch Amen Thompson drive into the lane and miss a layup. The Grizzlies gathered

See Full Page