(February 12th) Earlier in the year, we talked about Tarris Reed’s passing as something that gives him a bit of upside beyond the traditional big man skills that he provides. As the season has progressed, though, this has turned from a small bit of upside all the way up to a legitimate plus skill. In the last profile, he was in the 55th percentile. In this one, he’s in the 73rd. That’s a major leap, and not one you typically see so deep into the season as the sample sizes smooth out the averages.
In addition, Reed has also continued climbing in his steal rate, something that really portrays him as an all-around defender rather than just a pure rim protector who gets blocks. This indicates to us that he may be able to play multiple defensive coverages at the NBA level, which is something that makes a big man much more valuable in the playoffs where teams will figure out a way to take away your best schematic option, so you have to be able to adjust to take care of it. Tarris Reed looks like he’s on pace to be able to do just that.
(January 6th) This week, we’re going to specifically highlight Tarris Reed’s free-throw percentage. Early in his college career, this was a major issue, to the point that hacking strategies were a concern. So far this season, however, Tarris Reed ranks in the 80th percentile. His performance at the line isn’t just not a concern – it’s an outright strength, especially when paired with his ability to draw so much contact inside (87th percentile in FTr). Effectively, Reed has done a fantastic job of picking up all of the easy points. He was already good from two-point range, but now he’s finishing plays when he’s fouled too.
Even moreso than the direct strategic implications, though, it really speaks to Tarris Reed’s work ethic that he can put the focus on something that is under his control, grind at it, and improve immensely. His worth ethic has always been one of his most praised traits, and it very clearly shows up here.
(December 12th) Tarris Reed’s profile shows a player who is, in some ways exactly who we have always known he was. We know he does all the traditional big man stuff excellently. He rebounds the ball (100th percentile) at an elite level, protects the rim (93rd percentile in block rate), and finishes efficiently around the basket when the ball comes to him (99th percentile in two-point percentage, 98th percentile in true shooting percentage). Absolutely any team would be lucky to have a player who did exactly those things at the elite level he does them.
But Reed has shown off even more this season – he’s passing the ball at an above average level (69th percentile) and has also started picking up steals, though three of those came in a single game against Maryland Eastern Shore. There’s still a lot of season left to go, but it’s difficult to imagine someone like Reed who does all of the things that NBA teams will ask of him at an excellent level, and even some things they don’t, slipping through NBA detection.
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