That just isn’t true. And no, I’m not arguing with you at all. Facts are, Reed is a good NBA athlete. Far better athlete than FVV and Holiday. His limitations are strictly due to length. Not speed, agility, explosiveness and vertical ability. There’s a reason for the combine. To see what capability is there. Edit* CP3 was always an upper tier athlete. But his game wasn’t predicated on athleticism. Reed is a better athlete than a lot of players his size. If you want to say it’s difficult for him to beat bigger players with comparable or slightly less physical ability, then yes I can agree with you.
I think Sheppard had been hitting the weights hard around summer league. His body is noticeably more filled in. But was he playing much ball or getting up lots of shots? I don't think so. He was working on his strength so he can stand in more on D and shoot more comfortably from long range. He may not be a force out there, but Sheppard isn't going to be a negative either. I'm still pretty optimistic about his upside.
Staff probably told him to answer that way to any question like that. Which kinda leads me to more thoughts than if he had just given a generic Reed answer. This one was out of pocket for him.
To be clear, I’m not sure he’s ready to be a starter. But, athleticism isn’t the reason why. He’s got that. Finding his consistent shooting touch, knowing when to gamble and when to play team defense, strength to be able to not get knocked off position and handle. The last one being crucial, if he tightens up his handle to the point his natural athleticism can shine, he will be a much more effective primary ball handler.
His jumper has always looked legit and he looks like he put on some bulk. Good signs. Ime will improve his positional defense at least a little bit. We need another dead eye shooter and I feel like Reed is ready to do it. I don't think he had the stamina for the NBA coming from being a high energy bench player in college. I won't be surprised if he gives us 20-25 good minutes a night off the bench now that he's acclimated.
As for Reed .... I really think the make or break aspect will be how he fares as the ball handler in the pick and roll. That's the crux of an NBA offense. His shooting got him drafted, his ability to navigate the pick and roll and make good decisions will be what makes him a starter or a backup. Neither Reed or Amen were particularly effective in that aspect last season - that has me concerned. As for adding another guard, Unless they give up one of Sengun, Amen, Tari, Reed or Jabari (poison pill), they are handcuffed until December 15th when most players who signed contracts this past offseason can be traded. I really don't want to see any of those guys traded.
Didn't Reed admit that he gamed his vertical leap measurement? I didn't hear the podcast myself, but supposedly he lowered his standing reach, which was a very short 7'9.5", so that his vertical looked more impressive. Reed has confirmed that he employed an “arm trick” that “helped him get a couple inches” on his vertical jump : rockets Not that vertical leap is really that important. Jordan Farmar had a 42" inch vertical at the combine, higher than Derrick Rose, and certainly wasn't in the same realm athletically.
That's a good point. His ball handling may be the reason why my eye test feels that he is not fast enough. His handles are not tight and crafty enough to keep the defender on his heels. That limits his ability to penetrate in a half court set.
Even if he did, how much do you think he could realistically lower his standing reach without it becoming obvious. Even if he could have fudged 4 inches, which he likely couldn't, he'd still have a 38" vertical which is very good. Nowhere near average.
I stand corrected about his leaping ability. I think it's more about his relatively short wingspan and standing reach that makes his verticality seem less impressive than his athletic abilities would warrant.
His size and length is definitely the concern. I think he has to develop as a ball handler to reach his potential. It would be as a combo guard in the FVV/Curry type mold
Didn't he pretty much admit to gaming the combine score? He used a trick to boost his number. Look at what your eyes are telling you, he does not remotely have a 42 inch vertical. https://www.si.com/college/kentucky...-to-have-the-nba-combine-s-best-vertical-jump
That’s his self deprecation. There’s no gaming official testers. If they do, it’s by max an inch. And yes, there are several moments where it’s evident he’s got an elite vertical. Usually on defense though
