Naz Reid means everything to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Reid is loved by both the fan base and his teammates; in every sense of the word he is an indispensable part of the Wolves franchise. However, focusing on the basketball aspect, Reid’s consistent bench production gives the Wolves a rare power that few teams can identify with.
The 6-foot-1 big man has developed into one of the best and most consistent reserve players in the league over the past few seasons. This was of course highlighted by Reid taking home Sixth Man of the Year honors two seasons ago – an award he was able to earn again this season.
Reid essentially gives the Wolves a sixth starter, and he certainly gives them another shutdown option, a luxury few teams can relate to. His size and versatile skills set him apart from the typical spark plug bench player. When it comes time for the playoffs, Reid’s presence gives the Wolves a huge advantage.
During Friday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, Reid had 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists off the bench on a night where Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels struggled to score. Without Reid’s contributions, Wolves undoubtedly would not have won by 11 points.
This game is the perfect reminder of how important Naz is to the Wolves’ success and what an asset it is to have such a gifted bench player.
Naz Reid brings an element to the Timberwolves that is hard to match
Reid’s averages of 14.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists all surpass his 6MOY stats. Impressively, Reid is the leader in total bench points this season. All season (and in recent years), Reid’s consistent bench scoring has taken the Timberwolves to the next level.
Other top teams in the West have fantastic bench players, including Ajay Mitchell (Oklahoma City Thunder), Keldon Johnson (San Antonio Spurs) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (Denver Nuggets). However, Reid is the most proven and consistent. Additionally, his spark plug ability as a center makes him a rarer archetype than the typical bench player. So Reid gives the Wolves another element that most teams simply don’t have – there’s no denying that this is a huge advantage.
With Reid’s blend of size, three-point shooting, creation, playmaking, rebounding and hustle, he has one of the most unique skill sets in the league. Reid’s floor spacing opens up the game significantly for Anthony Edwards.
Honestly, Reid’s knockdown shooting makes him a seamless fit for just about any lineup. According to Basketball Index, Reid ranks in the 87th percentile in one-on-one shot making and the 89th percentile in 3-point shooting talent.
If Rudy Gobert or Randle have an off night, Reid gives the Wolves another option to close out the games. Although in Randle’s case, this would be a shift from what we’ve typically seen from Chris Finch.
Regardless, the point is that Reid consistently providing starter-level production is a game-changer for the Wolves. When the playoffs roll around, depth will be a crucial factor.
While overall depth has been an issue for the Wolves this season, Reid’s exceptional play is a clear advantage that few teams can match. Additionally, the addition of Ayo Dosunmu greatly increases the Wolves’ depth.
Ultimately, there is only one Naz Reid in the league, and if the Wolves mount another deep playoff run, expect him to play a key role in that.
#Naz #Reid #Timberwolves #unique #huge #advantage