We continue our look at the 2020-21 season for the Philadelphia 76ers by looking at each player’s season. Having worked through the starting lineup, we turn our attention to the bench unit as we take a look at one of the second-round rookies.
The Sixers selected Paul Reed with the 58th pick of the 2020 draft in November and he provided some moments that quickly made him a fan-favorite in Philadelphia. He has a solid nickname, “Bball Paul” and his hard-nosed play made him fun to watch. He spent the majority of his time in the G League, winning MVP as a rookie, and his work ethic created potential for the future.
2020-21 season averages:
3.4 points
2.3 rebounds
0.5 assists
0.5 blocks
53.8% overall percentage
Reed played only 26 games with the Sixers in his rookie season, averaging just 6.8 minutes per game, but when he did play, he had a couple of big plays that excited fans. Most of his work was in the G League where he averaged 22.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 steals for the Delaware Blue Coats. He also shot 58.8% from the floor and 44.4% from deep in the G League bubble in Orlando.
Reed’s best game came in the season finale against the Orlando Magic on May 16 when he collected 17 points and 12 rebounds in a win at home before the playoffs. The Sixers were resting their main players ahead of the postseason, and Reed took advantage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kduw5rfI7O8
Reed played in three games in the playoffs, all in garbage time, and they called came in the first round against the Washington Wizards. He scored four points and had three rebounds in Philadelphia’s blowout Game 2 win, and he had five rebounds in their Game 3 win on the road.
For the offseason, Reed has to learn to play within himself. He has talent and the work ethic to go with it, but is learning how to play NBA basketball. He has a bright future ahead of him if he figures it out and makes his case to be in the rotation sooner rather than later.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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