5 takeaways from Sixers Summer League: Paul Reed is too good for lower levels
In the span of roughly a year, Paul Reed has won G-League MVP and Rookie of the Year, and posted the second 20-20 game in Summer League history. He is too good for lower levels of competition. The jury is out on his ability to contribute to the Sixers on a regular basis, but he’s certainly not a G-Leaguer. He’s in the NBA for the long haul.
Paul Reed took over Tyrese Maxey’s “too good for this s—” mantle in the final three games of Summer League. Across five total appearances, he averaged 17.4 points, 12.0 rebounds (tied for second in Vegas), 2.6 steals (fifth), and 2.2 blocks (ninth).
The Sixers have a genuine defensive marvel on their hands. If not for Matisse Thybulle, Reed would probably earn the title of Philly’s most disruptive defender. He doesn’t protect the rim at the level of Joel Embiid, and he’s not the same on-ball defender as Ben Simmons, but Reed makes singularly great use of his hands. If not for three historically impactful defenders stacked on top of him, Reed would look a whole lot more unique on the Sixers’ roster.
Reed probably won’t see the floor much next season, but his effort level and penchant for chaos (a good kind of chaos) makes him a real NBA player. I have extreme confidence in that statement. He imposes his will on games through unyielding force. His motor runs hotter than any player on the Sixers’ roster.
We have gotten somewhat used to Thybulle’s absurd four-steal, three-block stat lines, but give Reed the same runway, and he might post some similarly jaw-dropping numbers. The offense is a weird and wonderful ride, and it may or may not be ready for the NBA stage, but Paul Reed is ready to find out.