Reed Sheppard report card

xtruroyaltyx · Mar 6, 2026 at 10:12 PM

Will said: ↑

Good question. I'm used to thinking about it the other way: You have an amazing physical talent like Jalen Green, and you're trying to figure out how well he can learn to apply and manage that talent. Sheppard is kind of the opposite: at a young age, he seems to be pretty good at learning to apply his physical abilities, but defensively those abilities are limited. He's short in height and wingspan and relatively clumsy at staying in front of his man.

My best guess is that he'll learn whatever can be learned. Looks like he's already gotten marginally better at guessing which way the attacker will go (though maybe others of you disagree? I'm just going by eye test and recollection here). He's definitely cut down on the dumb out-of-position swipes. And he's gotten more judicious about when to gamble. I see fewer and fewer dumb steal attempts that leave his man an open path to the basket.

Physical improvement is so much harder. Depending on how his body responds, Reed might be able to build enough strength to hold his ground more effectively. He has to stop being an automatic 2 when he gets isolated in the post. Even on drives, he gets chucked aside like a piece of paper.

Beyond that, I'm skeptical that his defensive footwork will improve much. Reaction time is pretty baked in. So we have to hope that his mental improvement at reading attackers will compensate for his subpar reaction speed.

The other thing I bet he can improve on, just from learning, is getting around screens. When he's playing with high energy, he often steps forward to take away options before the attacker moves. Guys who are good at getting around screens do this all the time. He has to stop waiting for the screen and being a victim. He should be able to do this more reliably, given that he's demonstrated the ability to do it now and then. He's just not reading the situation or seizing the initiative fast enough.

I thought Reed achieved game-long baseline defensive competence against the Kings and the Wizards. Against the Warriors he reverted, though his offense was awesome. So I'm curious to see how often he can get back to that level, especially against better teams.

Would be curious to hear what others think about your question.
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To me Im not as worried about his footwork on ball as as I am about his anticipation and strength. A lot of times hes able to get in front of his man when they attack downhill but they just go right through him.

I think with better anticipation/experience he should be able to get some charges and when hes not in position for that hopefully some added strength will help him not get pushed back so easily. When there is physical contact he almost always loses that battle. He's got to work on his lower body strength and improve his leverage this offseason. In the weight room, legs and core should be his primary focus.

For now though, I think what he does offensively plus his ability to get stocks is more than enough to win with and for him to keep getting high minutes.

tinman · Mar 6, 2026 at 10:19 PM

99.9

Will · Mar 6, 2026 at 10:26 PM

xtruroyaltyx said: ↑

I think with better anticipation/experience he should be able to get some charges
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That's a really good point. He already gets some favoritism from the refs for being small, e.g. they let him shove bigger guys. They might give him the same leeway on charge/block calls. He needs to learn the art of planting his feet and taking the hit. Tate can give him some pointers.

Hayesfan · Mar 6, 2026 at 11:39 PM

xtruroyaltyx said: ↑

To me Im not as worried about his footwork on ball as as I am about his anticipation and strength. A lot of times hes able to get in front of his man when they attack downhill but they just go right through him.

I think with better anticipation/experience he should be able to get some charges and when hes not in position for that hopefully some added strength will help him not get pushed back so easily. When there is physical contact he almost always loses that battle. He's got to work on his lower body strength and improve his leverage this offseason. In the weight room, legs and core should be his primary focus.

For now though, I think what he does offensively plus his ability to get stocks is more than enough to win with and for him to keep getting high minutes.
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I agree Reed needs to learn to take charges… but I’m fully convinced that Ime doesn’t believe in them. We are tied for the 4th lowest number of charges drawn in the league at 11. (Apparently no one believes in them anymore because more than half the league has under 20)

peleincubus · Mar 7, 2026 at 12:06 AM

Hayesfan said: ↑

I agree Reed needs to learn to take charges… but I’m fully convinced that Ime doesn’t believe in them. We are tied for the 4th lowest number of charges drawn in the league at 11. (Apparently no one believes in them anymore because more than half the league has under 20)
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