You shouldn't be that shocked. Reed has consistently played well when he hasn't had to worry about getting benched for making a mistake. These last two games have been blowouts where he got to play freely. It's no coincidence that his best game of the season came against OKC when half the rotation players were out and he got the start.
I think Reed was here to learn from Vanvleet his first season. So many national folks were dismissing him like a bust of epic proportions. Seeing Vanvleet’s approach was invaluable for Ime to expose Reed, and this is the reason that Ime didn’t want to send him to the G league too long. Of course Reed has the monster game where he didn’t play out of his mind, but still ended with 49 points. The next game in the G league he did well too. And that was all she wrote before Ime brought him back. Reed has such a pretty shot, it’s repeatable, and the mechanics are spot on. Reed, Green, and Amen are going to terrify the NBA for the next decade. Super 3 point shooter in Reed, super athletic shooting guard in Green, and defensive player of the year SF in Amen. Best part is all three can handle the ball, and it’s going to get even better
Not only that, imo, he plays better when hes been involved and not just standing in the corner. Some of that is on him deferring too much and some of that is on the coaching.
If Reed were starting and featured, as a # 3 pick usually is, on say the Wizards, he’d be ROTY and look fantastic by now.
I don't think it's on Ime in a bad way though. The shot making isn't what really needs to work on to be about to contribute next year because he already knows he can shoot. Ime is likely drilling him on doing all the small things like being in the right place and making the right rotation.
Seems like he might shoot 3s better off the dribble than spotted-up. More rhythm, less rush. Or maybe he's finally relaxing from all the "#3 pick is a bust" pressure. Still have-- and always had-- high hopes for him as a PG. It is so fun to see him go from hunted bunny to hungry hunter. Hey Ime: get Adams setting some picks for our man! With Bari/Tari/Uncle Jeff in the corners!
Reed was playing passive trying to just fit in and his shot wsn't falling. He is getting more and more acclimated to the NBA. That's it.
His percentages are climbing......he just needs consistent time, Ime has screwed him and Cam this year, they should have gotten every minute that Holiday and Tate got. DD
I think the OKC game really freed him up mentally. He didn't put up huge numbers, but in the 2 games before the injury he was noticeably more assertive in dribble creation. He's looked like the advertised guy in his garbage time since coming back The injury really happened at a s**t time for him, I think he was ready to carve out a full rotation role. At this point, I don't think there's enough season left for Ime to trust him with that.
I have to strongly disagree about Reed getting screwed. He had plenty of opportunities. He wasn’t ready, but he was rounding into form right before the injury. Ime hasn’t done anything wrong with Reed. I think he’ll come back next season ready to play a significant role.
This is just hogwash, he has to play through his mistakes not get yanked and sat for 3 games. 5 minutes a game here and there is NOT an opportunity. It IS poor coaching. DD
I would like to hear more on this theory. Specifically about Udoka: Does his history as a player or coach indicate that he thinks rookies, even those with high potential, benefit a lot from watching a smart role model with good habits? Does he think they benefit from that more than they would from being thrown onto the court and learning by doing? Or at least enough that he's not wasting their time by keeping them on the bench? Or even if this isn't true in general: Is it plausible that Ime thinks this way about Reed and Fred specifically? That Reed's bench time, with Fred in the game, is actually productive in a way that the rest of us, tearing our hair out, don't appreciate?
that’s the thing; what is he and what will he become? I remain in on him, think of Pritchard under Ime, and do not (want to?) believe he’s just fill fodder for matching purposes.
The Rockets have won 50 games and probably have the most development gains in young players this season. I'm very critical of some of the lineups Ime is using lately, but Ime's done a good job. I think Cam may have gotten a little bit of a raw deal as he doesn't fit what Ime wants. Reed, he's got to prove he belongs. He's been given chances. He'll get more in the future. Suggesting Ime hasn't been great at coaching is not realistic.
Have you seen the standings? Ime's job is to coach the team to the best possible outcome. Once Ime's career is over, he'll be judged by his win/loss record (esp in the playoffs). He won't be judged based on if some rookie's career flamed out. Now, if he can develop some rookies and that improves his win/loss record, winning! But as of today, Udoka's win/loss record is fine. He didn't "screw" Cam or Reed. Sometimes ish happens. Life ain't fair. I'd love to see Cam and Reed have a breakout but I don't see it as "unfair". It just is what it is.
This is really the difference in Reed now versus Reed a few months ago. Even during garbage time, Reed was previously playing passive. Reed now seems to finally understand his role and that he cannot be hesitating on his shot when he likely is the best shooter on our team. When he was in the rotation earlier in the season, he was playing waaaay too stiff and was trying to fit in to the team, rather than just be himself. It's understandable, he is an unselfish player that knows he has a lot to learn. You could tell that the coaches were trying to encourage him from the sidelines, but he just didn't want to take shots from others. Since he couldn't get in a rhythm, his confidence was shot tremendously and he just wasn't playing well. These last few games he has played garbage minutes, he has looked a lot more fluid, a lot more confident. I think it will be tough to get him into the rotation prior to the playoffs, especially when Holiday has really shot the ball well recently, but I can't wait to see Reed next season. My heart is easily fooled, but man his shot has looked pretty these last few games, shoots the ball so effortlessly. I'm hoping he can blow up here in Houston and not elsewhere.
