Top 2 or 3? Come on. Saying he’s #4 behind two legit all-stars and one all-defensive player is both appropriate and humbling for a second year player.
Coming out of the draft this was a massively underrated skill of his. Too many people looking at box scores and not seeing double digit assists (even though he led his team with not super high usage) rather than the types of passes he was making. Even had some folks labeling him as "just a connective passer" Was laughable then and even more laughable now when you see the types of reads and passes he makes. I thi k hes the best passer on the team, even better than Sengun. Sengun's passing has regressed some from how amazing it was in his first couple years imo; He's still really good, better than most, but I think he just looks to score more now and sometimes forces things. Theres nobody else on our team that makes passes and reads like that and its not really even close.
I don't think he's just a connective passer, but I do notice that the majority of these are very much the same way Fred gets his assists, that is to say it's based on team movement and his gravity as an outside/midrange shooter, not so much sucking the defenses into the paint and creating something out of nothing like you see from most of the elite assist guys. I do think he shows every sign of being able to run a team the way FVV does though, and probably with better scoring numbers (volume/efficiency). Main thing is whether he can get his defense to Fred's level.
I still think Reed as more of a connector this season and we will see how it plays out over the season. His per 36 numbers have him at ~5 APG and he still trails Sengun and Amen in AST % (barely behind Amen). I think the Rockets have shown they are not going just rush Reed which is better for the team and Reed long term.
Also, this is why it doesnt make sense to not want to start Reed: Most people agree that the starting unit needs a pg. On the roster Reed is the best option for that role (if they actually let him play pg and not be a corner/spot up shooter). The guys who would be better options as starting pgs for this team are unlikely to be obtained. This team's probably not going to reach their full potential without another ball handler and playmaker in that starting lineup. You have a young guy who has high potential who fits that bill. Get him in there and let him be the pg you need. Let him get a bunch of on court time so by time the playoffs come around they are working like a well oiled machine. I know they arent the same type of player but it kind of reminds me of Rondo with those championship Celtic teams. They let him be the pg and he brought their big three together. In hos second year when he was 21 he started 77 games and Boston won the title. What they didnt do was put in a shooter in his place for more spacing and let Pierce, Allen and KG pretend to be playmakers. We need a pg, but the guy who has shown the most potential to be that guy is not being given the necessary reps to do it. Fix it Ime.
Is Amen a connector too? Reed's USG%, AST%, and assists per 36 are all just slightly below Amen's. Reed's USG% is steadily rising and will likely surpass Amen if he becomes the primary ball handler.
By connector, I mean not a primary playmaker. I think this FO/coaching staff has shown they prefer a more multi playmaker type of offense. They are not looking at Reed as playing a traditional PG role. I think Sengun, Amen, and Reed all have their on ball strengths and weaknesses that leads to the varied style of playmaking. I think Amen's strength is his ability to play downhill with his athleticism and put pressure on the rim which allows his playmaking to open up. Reed uses his shooting to draw defenders and makes the quick decision with the pass. Reed certainly has a good chance of being the better offensive player and playmaker than Amen (unless he develops a respectable mid range shot).
Reed's passes are often difficult in their execution, but simple in philosophy; he's just looking for the open man at all times. Meanwhile, there are so many instances where Sengun, KD, Amen, et al. pound the rock trying to force their own shot while I'm staring at an open teammate who, ironically, is often Reed himself. Point being, Reed is a willing passer and good things tend to happen with the ball in his hands. Hopefully his teammates start to trust in that and realize that if they give up the ball it will find its way back to them in a better position to score.
Love you lil bro but if you getting cooked by Dennis Schroeder… Might need to call up Gary Payton for some wisdom.
