We didn't draft him to ride the bench. Start him. If he loses the games from dumb mistakes, have him play off the bench.
He should start growing into his potential now. He just turned 21. The idea is to have him start to peak by 25. Start him. What's the worst that can happen? The offense isn't designed to have all of the scoring come from the PG or SG, so it won't be much of a risk. Look at Stockton's stats for his first three seasons. And he started his career at 23.
The first stretch of 10 games doesn't have any cupcakes. If you start him and keep his minutes at 23 mpg, it won't affect the outcome of those games either way, imo. It's an opportunity. The hope would be to finish that first 10 stretch at .500. We aren't trying to burn out in the first 10 games.
I really don't see it with Reed. He's pretty small and unfortunately, the whole league seems to take guarding him very seriously. every defender gives him zero space and he just doesn't do well with that pressure.
Without Fred, I say dont anoint anyone as the starting pg... run it by committee - keep em hungry... give Reed, Davison and Holiday each a quarter worth of burn and then close with whoever's got the hot hand on any given night... if somebody rises to the top - cool... if not, we see whats up at the deadline...
He's still a year two guard on a team with very expectations. I think we will get some info on his development through preseason, but it will be the midseason trade line where we have some hard conversations about the future. I don't think the Rockets trade him even if he hasn't made noticeable leap, but it's certainly a possibility.
I do think it's possible that he gets traded mid season if he hasn't performed well enough for this team. It's not what I'm hoping for though. It seems almost a given that we will trade for a PG after Dec 15, and he could be a part of that trade.
You have to both watch the game and also look at the objective production. Thats how you end up with people saying he had a B when the dude shot horribly, had just 1 ast to 3 tos and was -6 and also got targeted on D. If thats a B what happens when he actually shoots 35% instead of 25%? Superstar grade for shooting league average? He has a pretty game so I can why people keep defending him but at the end of the day you have to produce. He made just 1 three and 1 drive and missed all his other shots but people here are saying they liked his drives lol. If you just watch the game unless you have the mind of a computer you wont be able to track all of his stats.
I do wonder how much pre-conceptions effect the way fans watch a game and their comments afterwards. As probably the most aggressive proponent of Amen’s future as a pg on the board, what I saw was him getting to the rim at ease, making 2 TO’s with poor ball handling and missing several point blank layups that still resulted in points because of his penetration. Shot 1-2 from 3 and hit a step back long 2 with his foot on the line. He passed the ball several times on drives that he should have shot. Overall it wasn’t a great game, 4-8 from the field 3 assists and 3 TO’s, but all the vitriol about how he is not a pg after one pre-season game is really kind of silly. Then there are the Reed sycophants that believe Reed is destined for greatness as a pg and giving him high grades (B’s) when he was 2-6 from the field (1-4 from 3) with 1 assists and 3 TO’s. They both played about 22 mins. He had his usual poor game on the defensive side of the ball and committed 4 quick fouls. Neither had a good game in my opinion, but Amen definitely showed more from an initiator viewpoint than Reed. Is it just because I want it to be so? Not sure, but the stats would indicate Amen had the better game of the 2. I don’t think there is any doubt that this team will initiate by committee and there won’t be one designated guy to bring the ball up the court or initiate the offense like with FVV. Sengun, Amen, and Durant will get the lion’s share to start the season. Reed and Amen looked good in the pick and roll the few times they were involved. I think Reed will get 15-20 mins a game to see if he can break through in Oct-Nov. Folks need to remember this guy was going to have to fight for a backup role before the FVV injury. If he can hold his own as an off-ball guard with an occasional drive or two, then that is a significant victory and portends well for his future as a valuable role player.
If Pablo Prigioni can be effective as 35 year old point guard in the NBA I know damn sure Reed can play with the best...Its all about repetition, getting the playtime to learn/progress, and study film (learn his best angles to attack to get to his spots).
When will Reed be able to play with the best? When he is 35? What would you say is a reasonable expectation for Reed this year? I personally think he has one elite skill set and good bbiq. In order for him to be an effective NBA player, he will have to maintain close to a 40% 3 pt shot and play decent team defense. I think him becoming an elite PG given his physical shortcomings in today’s NBA of extremely gifted and long athletes is wishful thinking.
Do you think TJ McConnell or Payton Pritchard cant hold their own against the athletic guards? Those 2 aren't the most athletic point guards (probably bottom tier from an athletic standpoint), but they were very impactful in their roles last season. TJ McConnell was definitely a difference maker last season for the Pacers and Pritchard won 6MOY...what they shared in common was effective pick-n-roll action...Reed just gotta get the reps and his rhythm will come. One big thing Reed needs to improve immediately is stop picking up his dribble! CP3 lost a step, but is still effective in pick-n-roll action because he never picks up his dribble...
This whole Reed isn’t athletic rhetoric is really getting old. Just come out and say you think he’s not athletic because he’s white. At least be honest about your bias lol. Dude is more athletic than most his size, a better athlete than JD Davison and taller. Davison has a 2 inch greater wingspan. Yet, some are saying he’s some elite defender already?! Reed was elite in college and has been very good in the pros at times.
He's an undersized guard, I think people might be setting their expectations too high if they expect him to be a starting level PG on a dark horse contender this season. If he's able to give us +15MPG with the standards Ime and Co will have, then that will be a success IMO. Otherwise, Ime won't hesitate to use Holiday. I don't think the Rockets would sell low on Reed before the deadline unless he's part of a bigger package.
He also never said Holiday was a starting caliber guard either, he just said that Reed is too small to be one. You yourself argued HARD that he's undersized, his standing reach is 7'9, you argued that over and over right? So you can't now pretend he isn't. For reference, Aaron Holiday has an 8'1 standing reach, so Reed is still undersized compared to him on the measurables that you said were flawless (combine.) Reed literally reaches 4 inches lower, so a third of a food shorter reach. Historically bad, like I said.
