[Jackson Gatlin & Dr. Madison Moore] Reed can learn from JD Davison

We’re all living in hope for Reed, because what he is on the floor right now is just bad

 

I'm very concerned about Reed's defense too. JD is a backup PG, so is Reed. JD is bigger and stronger than him. This helps him on defense.

 

It was his first time getting actual minutes with the starters and went against Trae Young who is elite. Got to give him some time to settle down.

 

It’s just a matter of time before we package Reed, (Possibly Tari Eason) and all our picks for LaMelo Ball, Trae Young, Ja Morant or Derrick White….

 

I am not worried about his defense long term - he has very quick and strong hands, he is going to have a very strong core and he cuts very well, so he will be able to play angles. Couple that with scheme and effort and he will be fine there. I am more concerned about the other side of the court right now. He needs to be more consistent as a shooter and playmaker. He should be shooting a higher percentage and more consistently than he is so far and at some point that is a legitimate issue. This is kind of the year for him to really show something - if he doesn't, he will be on a trajectory around the league as a 10-12th man. That smallish point guard reserve role is difficult to survive in.

 

Trae Young is as short as reed and not very bulky and strong. This was a good marchup for Reed.

A bigger stronger guard can easily bully overpower Reed.

 

Anything Gatlin says, just go the opposite direction.

 

I think guys like him, Brunson or those great undrafted/lower drafted players, they have that special something that a lot of lotto picks don't have.

That makes them a lot more resistant and they embrace failure as much as success.

It is impossible to teach though.

 

Yes, and he is also an Allstar who has played for 7 years. Reed has played half of a season averaging around 12 minutes.

I think its fair to watch him play a little more than 1 preseason game sample size before we call him a net negative.

 

Dyson Daniels was posting him up repeatedly with ease. Bigger guards will do that as well, just like you wrote.

 

Defense is overated.

How good was Steve Nash's defense?

Charles Barkley's defense?

Plenty of great players weren't good on D.

Score the ball efficiently - and that is good enough.

DD

 

You are not wrong. Then again people act like Reed won't get bigger/bulkier. People act like Fred VanVleet is 6'4 compared to Reed.

 

Young isn't a good match up for Sheppard - because Young is very quick and an elite scorer.

Quickness is more of an issue for Sheppard than strength - he has gotten stronger, and his frame is such that he will be strong - but his first step speed isn't on par with someone like Young.

 

Sheppard 2nd year performance after one preseason game is…… a complete unknown.

Need 5-6 regular season games to judge.

 

Remind me how many rings those guys have?

 

If Reed is anywhere close to Nash..... we can dream

 

Where are the folks here that claimed Reed deserved more minutes last year but Ime was too stubborn?

 

I watched about 5 full college games for him and I thought he was bad on D

He almost purely played like a help defender which is truly bizarre for a guy his size. He would constantly wonder off his man giving up wide open shots, he’d often gravitate to the paint looking for blocks and strips.

His on ball defense looked horrid, he’d get blown by at will against anyone

He definitely has intriguing skills and strengths, but I’m concerned

 

The young man has two paths before him.