CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers worked with Paul Reed all summer on his jumper looking to help him take the next step in his progression as a player on the floor.
Coach Nick Nurse and his staff want Reed to take more shots from beyond the arc and space the floor a bit on the offensive end. It isn’t something he was asked to do in the past so this is all new for the young big man.
He took one 3-pointer in Sunday’s preseason matchup with the Boston Celtics and he missed it, but the coaches want him to continue shooting those shots.
“This is kinda new for me,” Reed explained. “Last season, if I was taking 3s, I probably wouldn’t have played for like 10 games. This year, it’s like they want me to shoot the ball more so I’m still making that adjustment and just realizing where my shots are gonna come within the offense. Just getting used to that.”
Under coach Doc Rivers, Reed was asked to be a roller with James Harden on the offensive end and to be aggressive on defense and on the boards. This new system under Nurse asks him to do something totally different so this is all new for him.
Right now, it’s all about finding opportunities to take more 3s within the system.
“Obviously, shooting the ball goes into it,” said Reed. “I feel like that’s the most important thing. When I’m open, not hesitating and just letting it fly and realizing where my shots are gonna come from and when they’re gonna be available.”
Amid the changes, he is enjoying the freedom the coaching staff gives him on the offensive end.
“It makes me a lot more comfortable when I actually shoot the ball,” he finished. “Knowing that there isn’t gonna be any repercussions.”
[lawrence-related id=84709,84706,84679]