Dalek wrote:I want to like Paul Reed because he put up crazy defensive numbers, but he needs to convince people that he will come in and play that type of role in the NBA. The vibe I get from him is kind of like he wants to be a starter and a scorer to show people that he deserved to be ranked higher. The chip on your shoulder thing could backfire for the team that drafts him.
His defensive and rebounding numbers are very intriguing and that is the foremost reason I would want to bring him to Toronto with the first rounder. We aren't a lottery team and we just won the last legitimate / non-asterisk championship
He can prove he's a scorer in the Gleague and work on his offensive game there. I don't see the same downsides as you do. The only downside to his game is that his jumper won't allow for him to shoot off the dribble very well. That isn't really need that from your center and I think he can develop a good post game if we wanted him to.
At 29, if someone drafts him it will be as a defensive role player like Pascal was coming in. He will need to exceed in that role first before he turns into Paul George. I just don't really get the best character vibes out of him.
When we drafted OG he said he was going to come into the NBA and be a 3 point shooter when he shot around the same percentage as Reed.
The biggest take away from this interview:
Reed will take adversity well and work hard. I'm sure he will see the next level demanding a better shot, tighter handle, etc and based on his interview he has that swag, resistance to work through those tough rookie year stretches. I can see him building a lot of confidence in the Gleague and really shining as the third big if not start centering next season.
Here are a few quotes from an interview:
At the next level, I think that because the court is more spaced out, I can actually showcase my ability to dribble the ball and make moves. I couldn’t really showcase that at DePaul because that wasn’t my role. I had to box my game in. But in the NBA, once I’m on the court and I have someone in front of me, I’ll be able to go around them.
I can shoot the ball pretty well. My midrange is knockdown and my three-pointer is getting knockdown. I think I’m going to be able to come in and knock down open shots, easily. If there is a dude in my face, I feel like I’m still going to be able to knock a shot down. I’ve been working on it every day. That’s a plus about my game. I showcased that ability at DePaul, being able to knock down shots.
On the court, whatever team I go to, help lead them to the playoffs and hopefully win the championship. Another personal goal: I want to lead the rookies in rebounding. Off the court, I want to help my family get their house together. Fix all the things that are wrong. Do it up for my mom so she can be comfortable, super comfortable.
https://hoopshype.com/2020/08/04/depaul-blue-demons-paul-reed-nba-draft-interview/
He basically answered your first point about him not knowing his role. He followed his role at DePaul and didn't put the ball on the floor or try to create his own shot. His jumper has noticably improved since his first season and it could be built upon to turn him into a good spot up shooter from 3.
I think most agree he is the worst shooter in the draft, so he should just own it and say he is working on his game everyday. Saying he is a knockdown shooter just makes me think he is delusional.
He is not the worst shooter in the draft and he did say he works on his shot everyday. I highlighted the parts that refute your points about him.
