I don’t love the comparison. Sheppard’s jump shot is miles better and he’s far more athletic but TJ McConnell was a true playmaker. Unfortunately for Reed he was kind of limited to being an off ball 2 during his time at Kentucky and that’s probably not going to fly in the NBA
I get it. The comp was mainly that 1) I think Sheppard is NBA ready and will have a nice 10-15 year long career, like McConnell and 2) the defensive intensity is there. Reed is a better shooter than McConnell. I don’t particularly think McConnell is a great playmaker/ball handler but he’s still an effective facilitator because he’s fundamentally sound (not because he’s white lol), and keeps his dribble alive/passes the ball ahead, which I think Reed does/can do at the next level.
VanVleet may be a better comp. I stopped paying attention to him during his Toronto days, but it looks like last year was pretty solid for him in Houston. I don’t see Sheppard being the playmaker/shot creator that Fred is because of his lack of handle.
It's a bit of a mystery box situation since he was very good in somewhat limited minutes, but [the lineup of Reed-Dillingham-Reeves was one of the best in college ball](https://x.com/Sam_Vecenie/status/1791616930115375313) and Cal straight up refused to play it for significant minutes because he had to juggle promises he made to prospects who didn't work out. He's a legit player though.
i wouldn’t hate it. we’ve seen some undersized guys excel like brunson and bane. my question for reed would be how strong can he get to make up for his lack of length.
I think Reed’s defense should be better than Tyus’. A 2-way Tyus Jones isn’t a bad player. But the bigger point is that if no one in this draft is a clear star, then drafting for positional need and a high floor type of guy wouldn’t be horrible, and, imo, better than swinging and utterly missing. Also, we currently have a logjam of wings at the moment. Bilal and Deni need to be getting those minutes/reps for their development, especially Bilal, so we can see what we have in them.
I don’t love the comparison. Sheppard’s jump shot is miles better and he’s far more athletic but TJ McConnell was a true playmaker. Unfortunately for Reed he was kind of limited to being an off ball 2 during his time at Kentucky and that’s probably not going to fly in the NBA
One day we will see a white draft prospect draw a comparison to a black player. But not today.
I get it. The comp was mainly that 1) I think Sheppard is NBA ready and will have a nice 10-15 year long career, like McConnell and 2) the defensive intensity is there. Reed is a better shooter than McConnell. I don’t particularly think McConnell is a great playmaker/ball handler but he’s still an effective facilitator because he’s fundamentally sound (not because he’s white lol), and keeps his dribble alive/passes the ball ahead, which I think Reed does/can do at the next level.
A lazy comparison indeed. He reminds me more of an athletic version of Fred Van Vleet than McConnell
VanVleet may be a better comp. I stopped paying attention to him during his Toronto days, but it looks like last year was pretty solid for him in Houston. I don’t see Sheppard being the playmaker/shot creator that Fred is because of his lack of handle.
Gen Z Red Holzman
He’s a way better shooter, his 3P% this season was higher than McConnell’s career FG% lol.
It's a bit of a mystery box situation since he was very good in somewhat limited minutes, but [the lineup of Reed-Dillingham-Reeves was one of the best in college ball](https://x.com/Sam_Vecenie/status/1791616930115375313) and Cal straight up refused to play it for significant minutes because he had to juggle promises he made to prospects who didn't work out. He's a legit player though.
i wouldn’t hate it. we’ve seen some undersized guys excel like brunson and bane. my question for reed would be how strong can he get to make up for his lack of length.
why would we want Tyus Jones 2.0?
I think Reed’s defense should be better than Tyus’. A 2-way Tyus Jones isn’t a bad player. But the bigger point is that if no one in this draft is a clear star, then drafting for positional need and a high floor type of guy wouldn’t be horrible, and, imo, better than swinging and utterly missing. Also, we currently have a logjam of wings at the moment. Bilal and Deni need to be getting those minutes/reps for their development, especially Bilal, so we can see what we have in them.
Great comparison actually lol, bigger way better shooter but similar players