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2014-15 Key Stats: 8.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.9 apg, 47% FG, 46% 3P, 72% FTs.
Best Game(s): 2/3 Vs Louisville - 19 points, 7-8 from the floor, 5-6 on threes, 5 rebounds, 1 assist &
4/2 Vs Stanford - 16 points, 4-8, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals.
Worst Game: 2/28 Vs UNC - 2 points, 1-8 shooting, 0-4 on threes.
What he does well: Reed does a little bit of everything for the Hurricanes. First and foremost he is their best on the ball defender, using his quick feet and length to make opposing scorers' lives miserable. The 6'6 G/F from New Jersey is above average on the glass as well. Offensively he has a versatile game that really took off at season's end when he got especially aggressive taking the ball to the rack. Reed has tremendous handles as well as the size to finish at the rim. He also shows great ability to find teammates when the defense converges. Let's not forget he started his career at UM as a point guard. Additionally DR has a lot of confidence in his jumper as evidenced by his team best 3 point shooting percentage. He's not too shabby finishing above the rim or out in transition either. Coming off ACL surgery this past summer, that is an area of his game that will continue to rise (pun intended).
What he needs to improve: Like most of the roster around him, Reed could stand to be a bit more consistent. In his defense, given he was coming off injury and missed the team's first 8 games, his sometimes up and down play is a bit more forgivable. Still we'd like to see him be more aggressive and demand the ball more often. Reed is too skilled to have games where he only takes on 2,3, or 4 shots. And while he is by far the team's best defender and is certainly a plus overall in this area, he has a tendency to bite on pump fakes a little too much. But that may be nitpicking.
Player I would like him to watch film on: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs. Why not watch arguably the best defensive wing in the world? Like Leonard, Reed gets it done as a stopper first and foremost. Also like the Spurs star, he is a selfless player who can take over games on the offensive end when he wants to. Obviously the former NBA Finals MVP is not the easiest player to emulate, but to his credit Reed has similar strengths and would also appear to have a comparable disposition on the floor.
Summary: There is no reason whatsoever why Reed can not contend to be an All Conference player next season. He also has a shot to be a candidate for Defensive POY if all goes well (team success). In my opinion, Miami's success next season will hinge largely on the development of Reed as the team's #2 option offensively (behind Sheldon McClellan) and at times best overall player. That is how highly I think of his game.