Buy or Sell 3 trends from Sixers’ shorthanded success

Buy or Sell Sixers trends: Paul Reed staking his claim

Over the last four games, all without Joel Embiid, Paul Reed has averaged 25.7 minutes per game, compared to just 20.9 for Montrezl Harrell. The latter hasn’t underperformed (Harrell has strung together some of his best games of the season), but it has been the BBall Paul Show all the way through. Most Philly fans are comfortable with the fact that Reed is better than Harrell. Perhaps Doc Rivers is slowly starting to come around too.

Even before the injury to Embiid, Reed was starting to emerge ever so slightly as the preferred backup center option. After these last four games, the case against Reed virtually moot. Harrell has been the nominal starter sans Embiid, but Reed is the one closing games and playing the most important minutes. The highlight, of course, was his 19-point, 10-rebound, three-steal, two-block performance in the Sixers’ scrappy win over Brooklyn.

Reed is a legitimately gifted defender. His talent for disruption and nonstop motor lead to turnovers which in turn kickstarts Philadelphia’s transition offense. We have also been treated to plenty of highlight moments on the offensive end from Reed: spinning transition layups, ferocious dunks, nifty passes. His bag is deeper than one might expect, even if he’s not always 100 percent successful putting that deep bag to use.

The potential is there, and the results at present already far exceed the results Philly is getting from Harrell. More reps moving forward would afford Reed to ability to get more comfortable within his role while building better habits defensively. The constant foul trouble is starting to dissipate. Refs are starting to give him the respect of an established NBA player. It feels like Reed is here to stay.

Final verdict: BUY