While training camp is typically for teams to work through sets and schemes to knock the rust off before the season, it is also a great opportunity for players to earn playing time. One team that has rotation spots up for grabs is the Philadelphia 76ers.
Between new players incoming and the Ben Simmons holdout, there are minutes available in Doc Rivers' rotation. Many might have an idea of how the playing time might be distributed, but there is still lots of time for players to earn their way onto the court. We've seen that Doc Rivers doesn't have a set number for his rotation. It's all about what guys bring to the table on a nightly basis.
In the early days of camp, there have been multiple standouts for the Sixers. One of the recent names to get some buzz is reigning G-League MVP Paul Reed. Rivers even hinted at the second-year player getting more time on the floor this season.
“He's going to be valuable. Georges [Niang] isn't going to play every night. I want someday for him to be a four. But right now in his career, he's a small five. He can rebound the heck out of the ball, he has great speed, and he's learning the game,” Rivers said on Thursday.
After what he did with the Delaware Blue Coats in the G League bubble and his performance in Summer League, Paul Reed certainly deserves a chance to earn rotation minutes in his sophomore season. His unique skillset gives the Sixers some optionality if they do want to experiment with small-ball. Reed is capable of defending opposing centers and has the speed and athleticism to run the floor in an up-tempo system. Not to mention he continues to improve his outside shot.
Despite being one of the final picks in his draft class, Reed has shown potential to be a rotation player in the NBA. The Sixers' development staff continues to put him in situations that best fit what he can bring to an NBA team. Buying into the “energy guy” role is something the coaching staff worked on in Vegas this summer, and Reed looks to be embracing it.
“What I do like about him is he just has a nose for the ball. He finds the ball. If there's a loose ball, if there's an offensive rebound to get, Paul Reed is going to try to get it. The biggest thing I love about him is he's not scared of anybody. He's going to compete no matter who you are,” the Sixers coach added of Reed.
Reed has clearly caught the attention of his head coach. His hard work has paid dividends early as Doc Rivers gave him a chance to run with the starters for a small stint during scrimmages on Thursday.
There is no telling how much of a role Reed will have this 2021-22 season, but it looks like he has a chance to carve out a space for himself. If he can provide a spark in the frontcourt off the bench, Daryl Morey just might have found a diamond in the rough.
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