Young Sixers big man Paul Reed seems enthused for his larger role with the club after serving as the team’s primary backup center behind Joel Embiid during its first round matchup against the Raptors, per Gina Mizell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The 6’9″ 22-year-old was selected with the No. 58 out of DePaul in 2020.
“I’ve just got to take full advantage of it and make sure that I help the team win any way I can,” Reed said during Philadelphia’s eventual 4-2 defeat of Toronto. “That’s the most important thing for me.”
Reed averaged 4.2 points and 3.5 rebounds in the Toronto series. In Game 1 against the Heat, an eventual 106-92 loss, Reed played for 13 minutes, scoring four points on 2-of-6 shooting, while pulling down nine rebounds and dishing out four assists. He also recorded a steal and a block.
“He’s learning so fast and he’s a hell of a player,” fellow Sixers reserve center DeAndre Jordan, who started for Game 1 ahead of Reed, said. “So we’re going to need that from him, mistakes and all.”
There’s more out of Philadelphia:
- Reed expressed confidence that the Sixers can defeat the Heat, regardless of their Game 1 loss in Miami, per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Honestly, I think we can definitely beat this team,” Reed said. “We go out there and be more physical than them and play more aggressive. Keep them on their heels. They’re going to fold. We saw that happen in the second quarter and a little bit in the first. I think that’s one thing we realized facing this team.” Reed considers defense the club’s most imperative task in beating the Heat. “The only thing we have to worry about is locking them down every possession and getting out in transition,” he said. “Once we do that, they can’t stop us.”
- Considering that MVP finalist Joel Embiid will be sidelined until at least Game 3 with an orbital fracture and concussion, the Sixers clearly need 2018 MVP point guard James Harden to help carry the club’s burden on offense. Ramona Shelburne of ESPN wonders if the veteran All-Star is up to the task at this stage in his career. Shelburne notes that Harden has not scored 25 points or more across 11 straight playoff games, including Game 1. Harden struggled to create space as the focal point of Miami’s defensive attention with his All-Star center counterpart out. “They did a really good job of just boxes and elbows, showing their bodies and crowding the ball when the ball screens came,” Harden said. “But I think the shot-making is what opens up the floor for our entire team.”
- With Embiid sidelined, the Sixers explored some smaller lineups against the Heat in Game 1, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Head coach Doc Rivers conceded that some small-ball rotations proved more effective than others. “We love Paul [Millsap], but… I don’t love the matchup with Paul and Bam Adebayo,” Rivers said. “We wanted more speed on the floor [than Jordan or Millsap], so we could do more switching. When we go zone and switch, we like Paul Reed on the floor.” Rivers went on to suggest that he likes lineups with Georges Niang or Reed at center surrounded by shooters elsewhere, but that the team struggled to secure rebounds against Miami with those players at center in the second half.
Good Harden
2018 MVP
Bad Harden 2017 playoffs (May 11, 2017)
James Harden had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad game as the Rockets were eliminated from the playoffs after losing to the Spurs
Is 76ers Harden a good or bad Harden?
May 11 is coming up soon.
What are you even rambling about anymore lol
Kinda like rain man but no pattern
Unhappy macnam
Reed plays hard, and deserves a bigger role but he needs to learn to play defense without fouling.
Reed would be neat compliment if he gets 5-8 more minutes on the floor. Rebound machine if coached and/or managed right. It would be interesting if Niang and Reed on the floor at the same time until Embiid returns. It would create speed and rebounds. The defensive side will be average with potential tough play in the paint. Harden is not of Harden from 2018 anymore. Even still, his turnovers makes any of his coaches shiver in fear. I am not saying Philly is done for since Embiid is out. They just have to be creative and put the players that will be as physical to the Heat (as they have been to Harden) on the floor. A few big men and 2 defensive minded while Harden does his thing. Protect the paint and have a defensive mindset in Game 2. Control the clock and score within 5 seconds unless offensive rebound resets the shot clock. Then rework the shot clock again. Slow the tempo down and have Heat try to make an adjustment to counter it. Rotate SF, SG, and PG to keep the Heat honest. I think too much small ball won’t beat the Heat. Physical, shot clock management, and key shots beat the Heat without Embiid. Heat has the veterans and quite a few solid players. But 76ers need to pull out the Warriors against Rockets type of playbook. Warriors got real physical with the Rockets in 2018 on Hardens MVP season. Which knocked out CP3 and wore down Harden, Gordon, and others. 76ers have the players to play that type of physical basketball if their coach manages it right.
It’s interesting the situations both Harden and Irving find themselves in. They both have huge options to decide on. Kyrie still likely be ok so long as he can stay healthy and there aren’t any covid explosion/restrictions. He’s still capable of playing at an elite level. He just has to show ppl he’s dedicated to being available and to being a good teammate. Harden has a $48 mil option to consider. If he was a FA this year he would be hard pressed to get anything more than 3/$45 milk in my opinion. For him, it’s his health and ability to turn the clock back to his former elite self. He can still put up good numbers but 15/8/8 isn’t going to get him anywhere near $250 mil he wants.
Lowe was talking on his pod today how it could get ugly this summer between Philly and Beard if Harden continues to play like this, and I don’t disagree.
I mean when he first got to Brooklyn just last winter he looked like a (borderline) MVP caliber guy still. Now it’s comical to watch him – because he just can’t get by *anyone*.
This might be one of the steepest declines of a guy of his caliber I can remember. Only maybe Iverson compares.
You know, there are guys out there that make less money than Harden. That might make teams want those guys more than Harden…you know, because he makes more money.
You’ve got it all figured out. Congrats on all your hard work.
Thank bro. You taught me everything I know.
Or he is getting exposed as what I’ve said he is for however long. 5/13 Harden sounds right on point. He just usually also gets 18 fts from flailing his arms into people, and somehow people think that’s efficiency. He is a glorified Lou Williams
Kyrie is undeniably awesome, no matter what one thinks of his attitude and his lack of availability.
Harden looks like a fatter version of Baron Davis with a worse jump shot.
Someone should let BBall know that just bc you get 6 fouls doesn’t mean you have to use them all.
Someone should tell doc that DJ is unplayable now! -22 in 17 minutes. Yet he says to the media and fans “we are going to keep playing him no matter what you think”. DJ/Milsap are bad…not sure what the solution is but it ain’t DJ and Milsap.
Many people have told Doc. He told them to go pound sand.
I hope Paul Reed runs his mouth more… Butler, Strus, and Dedmon all had bad games, Duncan and Morris didn’t even play, and Kyle Lowry didn’t suit up…. the Heat were still up 20 when the 6ers waved the white flag. Keep talking Paul lol
Well Morris is in a coma still recovering from his assault on Jokic.
Now Sixers fans can all see who Harden reallly is. He is over the hill and never ever good in postseason. Yesterday was pathetic as he was literally indifferent. He didnt care and never tried to be aggressive and make a comeback. He not just lacked confidence but didnt want to even try. No urgency whatsoever. Just wanted to preserve his stats and his new fake reputation of unselfish dishing pg. He’s only thinking about the new $270m contract he will sign in the offseason. Sixers will be doomed and their title window officially closed.
Even so, he’s still better than Ben Simmons.
Yes. but Morey could have gotten so much better, younger and more than Harden. Too bad for Sixers.
I’m surprised Doc even knows who Paul Reed is, but I guess he finally learned somewhat after not playing him for so long
I liked him in the draft last year. I had him going 31 to Dallas with the 1st pick of the 2nd round, or even as high as 20 to the Heat. Plays both the 4 and 5 spots. Reminds me of Paul Millsap. I thought he should have started at the 5 for them
The things I was talking about in this matchup came into play in game 1. For the Heat, i feel like I was right about the idea of switch Strus and Robinson back, b/c i feel like Strus would be more effective than Robinson off the bench in this matchup, and I also dont like Strus starting against them. The Heat also need both of their shot making
I also said it might come down to whether or not Doc Rivers messes it up for them with his rotation decisions, and I felt like he won game 1 for the Heat