Report from the Cavs game: His most high-energy game. Caffeinated. It started with aggressive box-outs on his first 3 defensive possessions, all on bigs. Then deflections and pokeaways for steals on his next 2. Then stepping in front of a pass for a clean steal. Then poking the dribble away from Mobley for another. An absolute flurry. The whole game, he was anticipating moves and passes, cutting off options with a quick first step, smothering the ball handler on screens, doubling more aggressively than I’ve ever seen him. He was hyper alert, and his feet were executing instantly. Grabbing high rebounds in traffic, fighting off Tyson in the post. Even in the 4th, he was helping all over the place, closing out, running circles around guys to steal the ball. And that glorious deflection of the 3 from behind. In a game where Ime played 10 guys before garbage time, he gave Reed 32 minutes, second most on the team. That doesn’t happen by accident. More evidence that Ime is rewarding Reed for defense above anything else. And having built the big lead, he gave Reed the green light to experiment offensively. (I assume if Reed was taking liberties Ime didn’t want, Ime would have pulled him.) We saw heat checks but also some drive and layup (blocked), drive and interior pass, drive and swing to the wing, plus the jukey runner. On one possession Reed stood at the top of the arc and they swung the ball back and forth through him till he found the right pass. For those of us who’ve been clamoring to give Reed in-game time to work on his game, this is exactly what the doctor ordered. So what accounts for this? Was Reed just gassed on the road trip and got his mojo back after some rest? Was it the emotional boost of playing at home? Was it pills? Whatever it was, do it again. When he plays with this kind of energy, we’re a different team.
If Reed can start giving some consistent rim pressure, draw a couple of fouls a game, be able to collapse the D a bit, that would be huge for his upside. We already know he’s got the passing ability
by this point in the game I'd had a snifter (or two) of very fine cognac, so it's possible I'm misremembering the play, but there was a moment in the 3rd quarter that exemplified Reed's vision on court: with about 4 minutes left in the 3rd, there was a scramble for a loose ball, I think Adams came up with it, and passed out to Reed on the left wing, near the sideline. Reed was falling out of bounds, then, as the shot clock wound down, whipped the ball to a cutting KD in the lane, who proceeded to stuff it. it was a pass that no one else on the team would make, simply because none of them would have seen KD. I'd like to see the replay just to make sure my mind is not playing tricks on me.
I would prob still take Castle no 1, but Reed is now my no 2/3 prospect in the 2024 draft alongside Buzelis. I am constantly surprised at how good his vision is considering that wasnt even his role in college. He is imo the longterm Rox backcourt alongside Amen.
If the spurs called and offered castle straight up for reed you would say yes? That's just beyond mind blowing, never change my man.
That would make the Rockets worse and the Spurs better, I don't think any Rockets fan would go for that
Right now castle is the better player, but if Reed keeps improving at his current trajectory (and doesn’t plateau) he would be better in 2 years
Reed Should’ve gone first in that draft. This guy has a very long runway to get better. And I think the athletic tools are there to wear. He will be able to penetrate and finish at some point. He can certainly generate the mid range shot and that will probably be enough. He may Have more potential than anyone on the team and that’s really saying something.
Absolutely disagree castle is better now, i think reed is better by a fair amount. The castle glaze here is pretty funny though can't lie.
I’ll admit I don’t watch a lot of spur games and on this instance I might be wrong. I hope I’m wrong and will gladly admit it
Reed is our PG. I think he could cut down on a lot of the TOs our stars are creating by trying to fill the facilitator role. His game looks like Mark Price with CP3s midrange game and a bit of Steph on the perimeter. No he is not those players but it is not inconceivable that long term Reed has all-star potential. We should let Amen be Amen. Our players are still so damn young and growing. We need to embrace the bumps in the road while winning.
It's hard to say who's better because they have very different strengths and weaknesses. Most people think Castle is better because he is more consistent. He's had more time to develop in his rookie season and has been having a consistent role to play. Reed is still finding his place. He is obviously a much, much better shooter. His passing is better although Castle is more confident in running the offense. Castle is bigger and stronger, getting to the FT line more. Defensively, Castle is already quite good. But Castle looks like he is already close to his ceiling. Reed on the other hand shows lots more flashes to project a higher ceiling. Trading Reed for Castle would be shortsighted.
It's the classic skill vs freak physical gifts scenario with a bit of volume over quality mixed in for good measure. Reed Sheppard is a MUCH more skilled player but he's 6'2 with short arms and Ime has refused to give him quality minutes until fairly recently, Castle is 6'6 with a standing reach comparable to Amen Thompson....but he shoots the ball like Amen Thompson too. However, Castle has always had a ton of opportunity and usage so his raw counting stats are better. Those types who are easily swayed by volume and physical gifts (Jalen Green fans, for example) will swoon over Castle. Those types who know ball will take Sheppard over Castle any day. I think 3 years from now we'll look back on this conversation and laugh at those who hyped up Castle.
I like that he's been shooting free throws better too. He's 14 of 15 the past 5 games. Plus, I love that he's had 9 steals and 4 blocks the past 5 games too. Reed's defense and FG% still needs improvement, but I'd still rather see Reed take more 2 PT shots than seeing Amen take more 3 PT shots. Five was too many last game as a 13% 3 PT shooter. They are a good combo though. I like them playing together. Amen driving to the rim and Reed hitting the shots from behind the arc.
Castles shooting mechanics look totally broken, but somehow with the limited games i've watched of him, he seems to be able to hit the 3 at a consistent rate lol
One thing that sounds crazy but if you watch him you have to agree: he’s already better finishing at the rim than Fred.
