Way too early to be out on Reed. His talent will shine through sooner then later. He looks like Curry in g-league because of his rare combo of quickness and shooting, which can be replicable at the NBA level once he finds his confidence. This isn't his year because of the players ahead of him on this roster, but he has the potential to be an electric backcourt mate to Jalen.
Yeah, I don't think he's very quick. I'd be more inclined to say he's not quick. I've rarely seen him be able to get past a defender off the dribble without a screen. He also seems to struggle staying in front of guards on defense. My hope is that it's more of a confidence/technique/concentration issue, but I'm not so sure.
I'm not sure what some of you are watching, but I understand it can be subtle at times, so I'll reference the game clip I just posted again. Go to 1:16 and just watch the quickness of his feet on his drive, nothing else. He is quick.
I want to see him do it against NBA players. So far he has been pathetic going one on one in the NBA. His lack of athleticism is going to relegate him to off the bench sharp shooter in my opinion, but I hope you are right.
I refrain from judgment at this point of his career. He has no problem getting past defenders against college, g-league, summer league competition. Against NBA defenders, I still wonder if it's the confidence thing or the lack of NBA level speed. But I maintain that physical limitations are often overblown. If you are skilled and have figured out how to leverage those skills, you can still be a very good NBA player. I use John Stockton as an example. He's smaller and less athletic than Reed. And our own Sengun is another example. People kept pointing at his physical limitations and doubted him. Now he has proven that he can be a very good NBA player.
Name one trade that makes this team an instant contender and doesn't throw away the future for some dude on the wrong side of 35. Booker isn't a good answer - he's played about as well as Jalen prior to his hot streak .... after which Jalen has been the far more productive player. I really doubt that player is available right now - you aren't getting SGA or Ant. Gonna have to develop your own or wait .... and I wouldn't hold my breath on that with OKC, SA & Utah having so many picks.
I find it interesting how he seems so small in the NBA games, but in the G-league games, he looked big. I know there's a size difference, but in reality, are they that much smaller?
It always comes down to cost/benefit analysis. Durant would make us contenders this year and next, but the caveat is at what price? OKC's picks pretty much all suck. The Phx picks are much more valuable to Phx than anything the other teams have to offer. We have to decide on FVV after the season. If we take on his option it means we are pretty much the same team next year with little hope of overtaking OKC and with Memphis on our heals. I would not give up more than FVV and 1 phx and 1 Rocket pick for Durant. It is unlikely, but that would be worth it if they get desperate. Otherwise, we could try to add bench strength like Brogdon and Collins on the cheap.
I think most who talk about his size are comparing him to SG's and SF's and don't realize that PG is a different position. The average height of a PG in the NBA is 6'3 with shoes, Reed Sheppard is 6'2 with shoes and our CURRENT PG and highest paid player is 6'0 with shoes. It's basically just a false narrative. Is he short next to Jalen and Amen? Of course....but that is to be expected.
Jalen and Sengun were both given ample opportunity to fail and make mistakes while playing for a non-competing team. Reed hasn't been and won't be afforded that luxury. Being thrust into a win-now situation as a young player not yet acclimated to the NBA's physicality is extremely difficult...but don't let that fool you into discounting Reed's talent. Because it certainly is there.
When you don't assert yourself, you look smaller. People say Jabari looks smaller than 6'11 for the same reason.
