Although Timberwolves fans (myself included) had quite a rough experience this year, there were numerous bright spots which can put a smile on the supporters' faces. My first blog post is going to focus on Naz Reid, the sophomore center who just finished his second season with the Wolves and is one of the players that had a really notable improvement. To my mind, the undrafted 6'9 LSU product was the most improved player of the Timberwolves this year and I firmly believe that he should have a bigger role next season, given that he can provide versatility and efficiency mainly on the offensive end.
Let's dive into several stats that sparked my interest and I would like to share.
Finishing around the rim
Reid cannot be compared with the best around the rim finishers yet, but his development in both second chance and paint points must be highlighted (from 2019-20 to 2020-21):
- Points in the Paint: 71st to 84th %tile
- Second Chance Points: 67th to 91st %tile
Below are two sets of clips which indicate his increased activity on the offensive glass, as well as his developing competence in the post:
Playing with the team's 3 Stars
What is also noticeable is that Reid has managed to synergize quite well next to the team’s star players, especially after coach Finch took over, as 3 of 5 best* 2-man lineups include him and the trio of KAT-Dlo-Ant:
*by Offensive Rating (points scored per 100 possessions)
For more context, the 4-man lineup of Russell-Edwards-Reid-Towns shared the floor for just 6 games and 40 total minutes. They recorded 108 ORtg and119.8 DRtg.
Pick & Roll Offense
Now let's have a look at Reid's main play type, the Pick & Roll (as a roll man). He was involved as a roll man in almost a quarter of his total offensive possessions, according to NBA stats. In 176 possessions, he managed to score 1.16 PPP, a number that helped him stand out amidst the league's most talented big men:
I was really impressed by the fact that Reid developed great chemistry with the team's primary ball handlers, a factor that is the major ingredient to the recipe of effective teamwork. He has shown that he's capable of fitting in numerous play styles, linking with most - if not all - of his teammates.
Spot Up Shooting
The rest of this blogpost's center of attention will be on the two aspects of Reid's game that dazzle and fascinate me the most: spot up shooting and attacking off the dribble.
Reid is well known in the league as a stretch big; that is, a big man who can spread the floor with his shooting ability. In fact, this was the key element in his game that obliged the front office to give him an opportunity in the NBA. He has averaged 34.3% in 3-point shooting in his first two years as a pro, but if we look closely on his performance after this year's All Star, it is indeed obvious that Naz Reid is bound to become one of the most impactful bigs in spot up situations:
Drives
Last but not least, and in my opinion Reid's most remarkable trait, is his ability to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot.
Reid shot 54% on drives throughout the season, a number which sky rocketed post All-Star to 65.2%, leading big men with at least 35 FGA on drives:
Recap
Overall, I think that Naz Reid is a valuable asset for the Minnesota Timberwolves and he should continue to work effortlessly in order to be an even better basketball player.
There are two areas, where Reid definitely need to improve. Firstly, creating for his teammates. After his first two seasons, he has averaged just over 1 assist per game in 100 total games, a figure that obviously needs to increase and will be an extra strong point in his offensive arsenal. Secondly, his production on the defensive end. Reid struggled to follow faster guards or even smaller big men on the perimeter in his first season, but after revamping his physical condition through the 2020 off-season, he was more competent defensively. Once these two elements of his game become adequate, Naz Reid is going to be able to step up and muscle his way into the pinnacle of the NBA's centers.
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