chalmers2wright (anonymous) says...

If you like Reed or not you've got to respect his attitude. He'll do anything for this team to win...even if it includes him not playing a single minute or playing 40 minutes balls to the wall. Every championship team needs a player like Tyrel. In 2008 it was Russel Robinson and I sure hope Tyrel can be the glue guy for a Kansas 2010 National Championship.

November 8, 2009 at 1:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

suttonku (anonymous) says...

Im glad that he is a team leader and I love his attitude and he is a great kid but I just dont think he has the talent to play many meaningful minutes for this team...I think Reed probably should have gone some place else to play basketball because he is not the type of player that plays many meaningful minutes for KU. Like I said I love the kid and his work ethic but I question that he can really defend or handle the ball well enough to play for us.

November 8, 2009 at 2:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

drum1984 (anonymous) says...

Reed is exactly the kind of glue guy who can knock down big shots and bring high energy minutes that every championship team needs. He definitely belongs at KU.

November 8, 2009 at 3:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

drgnslayr (anonymous) says...

You said it just right, drum...

November 8, 2009 at 3:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

cap10d (anonymous) says...

suttonku did you not read the article ?

“I think his role will be comparable to last year, maybe a little more advanced as far as minutes especially early in the season. I really don’t know. I don’t have a crystal ball to tell you exactly what guys’ roles will be in certain situations because I don’t know how these young kids are going to react yet,” Self added.

Great kid, great leader. One of our best clutch shooters. Keep up the good work Tyrel !

November 8, 2009 at 3:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kulove (anonymous) says...

sutton-

Didn't he play alot of minutes last year and get us beyond our expectations? I think he imbodies everything that we want on our team... hard work, heart, hustle, leadership, etc.... He may not be the best player but I'd take him any day.... have you seen Rudy??? Those guys are invaluable....

November 8, 2009 at 4:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jbrownjib (anonymous) says...

Cap and Love,
I agree, Tyrel is more advanced and has the ability and the smarts. I have seen players with crazy athletic ability in college or the NBA do ill-advised stuff and blow games for thier teams. Tyrel provides good minutes for this team allowing others to rest and recieve instruction from coaches. In no way does the quality or tempo of this team diminish when Tyrel is on the floor. We are fortunate to have a floor leader like Tyrel on the team. He will do well in life.

November 8, 2009 at 6:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

I'm with suttonku on this one. Of course we all respect what Tyrel brings to the team. And last year, he played some meaningful minutes and hit some huge shots for a good team. However, this year's team has the potential to be great. Tyrel Reed is not a playmaker, and he doesn't play great defense. You cannot argue those points. I hope Reed finds a way to contribute this year, but if KU is going to contend, it won't be because of Tyrel. Self said he will get his minutes, especially early. That's because it's going to take the first half of the season for Elijah to "get it," maybe longer. But when he does, and if C.J. is going to contribute, there go Tyrel's minutes. If Self wants an 8 or 9-man rotation like he says, there aren't enough minutes to go around for Tyrel. If you see something I don't, please let me know what I'm missing.

November 8, 2009 at 7:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

lighthawk (anonymous) says...

anyone recall Jeff Gueldner?

by raw basketball talent Tyrel may not be in top 9 rotation, yet throw in BB savvy, experience, understanding of what to do, plus his hustle and he'll get his time on court.

November 8, 2009 at 8:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tomhawk26 (anonymous) says...

Yes, he seems to be a good guy with a great attitude, unfortunately he really doesn't have the athletic ability to be on the floor if we have serious hopes for a deep tournament run. The poster who said that our team is in no way diminished with Tyrel on the floor must not have been watching the same games as I was last year when even most of the mediocre opposing guards could blow past him like he was nailed to the floor. I love the fact he is from Kansas and represents the program in a positive fashion, but lets face facts - he was recruited in a down year for KU and will unlikely be a contributor on any KU team that is competing at the level I know we all want; Championships - both Big 12 and national.

November 8, 2009 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tophersdad (anonymous) says...

I like Tyrel a lot. But the truth is, if he is paying significant minutes, we are not going to be the team that goes deep in the tournament. Watching that exhibition game the other night, there were three or four occasions when Tyrel got crossed over, or back doored on defense. He is fast. He has stamina. But his foot speed and quckness could not keep up with a guard from FHSU. What is going to happen when he is asked to guard Willie Warren, KSU's head slapper, or the Avery kid from Texas?

The thing that really concerned me the other night is that Ty Tayor was getting lost on defense. His issue was not that he couldn't keep up. He would just get lost. If Ty keeps that up, Tyrel will get minutes. THAT is when we will have a problem.

Reed is a good kid. But what does he say, as a leader, when he sits on the bench next to Johnson, after getting crossed over? I tried hard? I cared a lot?

Reed needs to play, sparingly.

November 8, 2009 at 8:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kansasbasketball (anonymous) says...

if he gets better on defense he will play a lot!

November 8, 2009 at 10:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jayhawkboogeyman (anonymous) says...

There is no way he starts all year, but I see him playing 10-15, maybe 20 at times, huge minutes every game this year. He is strong and fast with a great stroke.

I think he pretty much takes Brady's minutes this year, and Brady plays next to none after the suspension. He is losing too much time to bond and work his way in with this year's team, and there is way too much talent on this team for Brady and Tyrel to play big roles.

November 8, 2009 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Sherronimo (anonymous) says...

All teams need a spot up shooter who can come in off the bench and drill it when the team needs a lift. This is what Tyrel brings. Sure he gets beat on defense, and often. That's why he will not start, but there will be times, we need a shot, the 2 or sherron need a blow, or the energy is low because we're playing Colorado and we're bored. Tyrel is invaluable to Coach Self for motivation, and spelling starters. Will be interesting when Brady gets out of "time out" because they fill the same void, and Coach clearly went w/ Brady last year.

November 8, 2009 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

yates33333 (anonymous) says...

tophersdad. ditto. Great kid, but......

November 8, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

yates33333 (anonymous) says...

jayhawkboogeyman. disagree. Brady plays excellent defense and is a good spot up shooter as well. He just needs to be convinced that he should shoot more. Also, hopefully, he will give up driving the middle. He loses the ball too much. Both are good role players, but Brady is more valuable because he is better at the entire game. Too bad he likes to drink spirits.

November 8, 2009 at 12:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Sherronimo (anonymous) says...

yates33333, agree w/ you except w/ the driving. that's sherron, x, ej, ty, cj's game. Brady doesn't have the handle to drive on anybody in D1.

November 8, 2009 at 1:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

aerohawk (anonymous) says...

I think guys like Tyrel can add a great deal of value to the team behind the scenes. We never see practice. All of the players must see Tyrel working his butt of every day to try and make the cut for game time. Even if all he did was provide motivation for other guys to work harder in practice it is worth having him on the team.

It doesn't really matter if he starts or how much he plays. Coach will do what is best and Tyrel won't question him. However, when we win the championship this year Tyrel will own a piece of it.

November 8, 2009 at 1:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

SoCalAlum (anonymous) says...

This team will see a lot of zone D, so Tyrel will be an important zonebreaker. Besides, he's fast and strong...and he's been guarding Sherron in practice for two+ years, so maybe he'll show a little more on D than the lamenters believe. KU fans appreciate what Tyrel brings to this team and more importantly, so does the coach.

Obviously, to be successful at the D-1, teams need "athletes," but the formula for long-term program success requires complementary players like Tyrel. For those of you who are hooked on "athletic ability," see this story from today's NYT about Jeremy Tyler, the HS player from San Diego who skipped his senior year of HS to play professionally abroad.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/spo...

November 8, 2009 at 2:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

milehighhawk (anonymous) says...

Anyone who suggests Tyrel "doesn't really matter" does not understand basketball.

Players like him are invaluable.

Having someone come in and contribute 15-20 energetic minutes each game is HUGE.

Having someone who is a heady player with experience is HUGE.

Having someone who can get hot in a hurry and knock down big shots is HUGE.

Clearly, championship teams require the top-of-the-line pedigrees, of which KU is chock-full this year. Ignoring Reed's contributions would be like saying RussRob wasn't really crucial to our team a couple years ago.

November 8, 2009 at 2:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

"If (fill in the blank) is playing a lot of minutes this year, then KU will be in a lot of trouble."

This is one of the few rationales that board rats here frequently use that is frequently wrong.

For example, this was said endlessly last year about Brady Morningstar, but of course he became the team's best defender, its best trinitizer, and best post feeder (in reality often the only guy that could consistently get the ball to Cole in the paint where he could do something with it).

It was also said of Tyrel, who proceeded to play 20-25 minutes per game.

I recall it was said of Christian Moody, also.

And it has been said of many, many others.

Why is this rationale so consistently proven incorrect?

Answer: Because Coach Self never gives anyone significant PT unless they can perform the role he assigns. So: the future outcome of predicting KU will be in a lot of trouble because (fill in the blank) plays a lot of minutes is always biased toward not occurring.

Put another way, if (fill in the blank) can't perform well, Self doesn't play him and so we don't get to see the negative outcome of Self playing a player inadequate to his role. Conversely, because Self is a good coach, who knows what his players can and can't do, we do get to see the frequent positive outcome of Self playing players in roles they are adequate for.

November 8, 2009 at 3:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

But this raises another question: why are board rats so consistently wrong about player's roles?

Answer: board rats consistently underestimate how much leeway Bill Self has in defining roles on a five-man team on the floor in any given year.

Each position on the floor can be played many different ways. Teams can have two stars. Three stars. They can have two glue guys, or three.

The 3 spot is a good example. Brandon Rush can play it as a go to position--a major impact position emphasizing outside shooting and alley oops. Brady Morningstar can play it as a glue position emphasizing feeding the post and taking infrequent, but highly accurate trinities. Xavier can play it as a major impact position emphasizing the double threat of outside shooting and putting it on the deck.

Coach Self simply plays through Brandon and Xavier to get impact plays at the three. In contrast, he plays around Brady to get to set up impact play at other positions.

You see the same phenomenon at the guard positions, where Self may play through a Collins and a Chalmers, or play around a Russell Robinson.

Sooner or later you see it at every position over a period of years.

Basketball, especially under Bill Self's game, is a game of moving the ball to a match up advantage. Some players consistently have match up advantages. Glue guys have to have motors, defense, passing skill, and preferrably (though not always) a good outside shot. If a team has 2 or 3 players with consistent match-up advantages, a team is not going to suffer if it has 2 or three qualified glue guys moving the ball to three stars.

Therefore, KU will not suffer, if (fill in the blank) is playing significant minutes down the stretch, because he will not be playing significant minutes down the stretch unless he is a qualified glue guy.

November 8, 2009 at 3:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

HighEliteMajor (anonymous) says...

Jaybate: Your logic works if you are assuming that the decision to play (fill in the blank) is a good one .. that is made by coach Self. But some of the logic in saying we won't have a chance if (fill in the blank) is playing is predicated on the need to play (fill in the blank), and not necessarily the choice. That is, in the case of Reed, if Tyshawn takes a step back, or Johnson is not what we suspect, or (Lord have mercy), Sherron gets hurt. The point with Reed is that, logically, this team won't win an NCAA title if Reed is playing 20 minutes. Same as last year with Morningstar. May be a glue guy, but late in a tournament, the weaknesses are exposed. And Morningstar was exposed last year. However, he was probably our best option. Coach Self chose not to just play Releford early and see how he progressed, favoring Morningstar. One could argue that biting the bullet early with Releford may have had better results in March .. but coach Self clearly made the decision that Morningstar was the better choice. I defer to that.

November 8, 2009 at 3:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BoulderHawk (anonymous) says...

Most of you need to keep your day jobs, which hopefully, judging by your basketball intelligence demonstrated on these boards , has nothing to do with basketball. It's easy to critique from the sidelines.

November 8, 2009 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Eurekahwk (anonymous) says...

We won't ever have to hear about Tyrell getting in a fight or getting a DUI. I'm quite sure of that. He comes from a very good upbringing. And he has always done everything he is supposed to and nothing that he is not. He loves Kansas, and I'm glad he has gotten the opportunity to play here that so many Jayhawk loving kids from Kansas haven't.

November 8, 2009 at 4:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

drgnslayr (anonymous) says...

It's too early to tell how valuable Tyrel will be because we don't know how our young players will play under pressure. Tyrel's experience is a definite factor that may come into play this year, along with his 3-pt shot.

The key is that he is available as an option, and I am sure there will be valuable playing minutes for Tyrel this year.

November 8, 2009 at 4:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

emillasap (anonymous) says...

Boulderhawk:

Enlighten us with your knowledge on the subject or politely decline.
Denagrating others doesn"t make you smarter.

November 8, 2009 at 4:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tophersdad (anonymous) says...

Jaybate! You make my point perfectly with the example of Christian Moody. Fellas like CJ Giles did not develop and forced HCBS to start Christian Moody. Great Kid. Awesome Story. And his Jr and Sr years? We were knocked out in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Like highelitemajor put it, these kids are great stories but they get exposed in the tournament. I stand by my post. I think Tyrel is a good basketball player and an awesome representative of KU basketball. But, if he is getting significant minutes of playing time, it will mean that someone else has not stepped up or has regressed. If Tyrel is playing a lot, it will not be a good thing.

November 8, 2009 at 5:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

I love most of your commentary jaybate, but HighEliteMajor is right on the money with this one. If Tyrel plays 20+ minutes this year, than someone else is underachieving and KU bball is not as good as it could be.

November 8, 2009 at 5:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jhawkr (anonymous) says...

While not always a believer in the Morris twins, I have always been a believer in Tyrel Reed.

He is the son of coach. Smart, with all the basketball savvy needed and more. Sure he lacks on defense at times, but makes up for it with timely 3's, hustle and determination. If anything, most of the time he is the most unselfish player we have and to a fault at times when I believe that HCBS is telling him to shoot the ball more.

You all keep doubting him, but in the end he will make more then his share of clutch shots ! Plus he is a team player, and with the wealth of players we have this year I can't believe they will all be the team players we hope them to be ........... There just won't be enough minutes to go around to satisfy everyone.

November 8, 2009 at 5:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

FairgroveJayhawk (anonymous) says...

Tyrel - you reading all this? It spells Motivation.

On a team that exceeded expectations last year making The Sweet 16, Reed played the fifth most minutes and tied for the fifth leading scorer. Although his minutes will be cut, he will be an integral part to this teams success. Self laid out his strenghts very clearly.

What is the definition of being "in a lot of trouble"....... when ( ) plays?

- finishing 2th in the big 12?
- finishing 2rd in the conf. tourny?
- not going 40-0?
- not going 39-1?
- going 32-8?.....
- getting beat out in the elite 8, final 4 or championship?

I really don't believe KU will be "in a lot of trouble" with coach Self in charge nor will KU be "in a lot of trouble" due to the depth of this team if one of the starters falls to injury and someone with the capacity and work ethic of Reed picks up more minutes.

November 8, 2009 at 6:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BoulderHawk (anonymous) says...

No I am done educating you folks on Tyrel Reed. I have tried in the past but I will no longer attempt to educate those that believe they know better than the head coach.

November 8, 2009 at 6:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

JOEKU (anonymous) says...

I'm tired of reading the "if Tyrell Reed is paying significant minutes won't go deep in the tournament" JUNK!
Boby Frasier played 18 minutes a game for UNC last year and Florida won back to back national championships with Lee Humphrey playing 30 minutes a night! Both couldn't guard a chair, but were remarkable three point shooters.

November 8, 2009 at 7:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

rockchalkxii (anonymous) says...

Did anyone else read the articles about Tyrel Reed this summer. He finishes first in every sprint they run, he can lift as much as anyone on the team. He shot 40% for three in big 12 play. He is clutch and the son of a coach. What more can you ask from a kid. But if he isnt getting the job done, HCBS wont give him minutes in March and hopefully April. Tyrel should be in the rotation this year.

November 8, 2009 at 7:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

suttonku (anonymous) says...

I disagree with all who think that Tyrel should be in the 9 man rotation...I wouldn't even classify him as a guy that can hit "big shots"...How many big shots has he hit in his career? not many...I have seen Tyrel Reed miss more open jumpers than any other person on the team...Brady Morningstar is twice the player that Reed is because Morningstar plays tough defense and he shoots better than Tyrel...Neither of them handle the ball real well...Reed is a one dimensional player and if he is not hitting jumpers then he is worthless on the court...Xavier is the shooter of this team. Has anyone seen a prettier shot from a left handed player? I haven't...And he rebounds better, has more height, hes stronger, and overall more athletic...Reed is a good guy to have on the team for practice but not in games...I think between Brady and Reed there should be 15-20 minutes a game that is distributed between the two with most of those 15-20 minutes going to Brady.

November 8, 2009 at 8:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

suttonku (anonymous) says...

Starters:

1 sherron
2 Tyshawn
3 X
4 Morris
5 Cole

Bench: TRob, Morris, Withey, Brady

I personally think HCBS will play 10 and I think the 10th man will be between Reed, Releford, Little, and CJ.

November 8, 2009 at 9:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

dagger108 (anonymous) says...

chalmers2wright - I was actually thinking in 2008 it was Sherron Collins who said that Russel Robinson was the senior leader who should start, and that he was fine coming off the bench.

Tyrel is a 40+% 3 pt shooter, and very much deserves to be playing for KU. Comments about him not belonging sound a lot like those directed at Brady early last year.

November 8, 2009 at 9:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

dagger108 (anonymous) says...

JOEKU says - I'm tired of reading the "if Tyrell Reed is paying significant minutes won't go deep in the tournament" JUNK! Boby Frasier played 18 minutes a game for UNC last year and Florida won back to back national championships with Lee Humphrey playing 30 minutes a night! Both couldn't guard a chair, but were remarkable three point shooters.

I add: Good knowledge.

rockchalkxii says...
Did anyone else read the articles about Tyrel Reed this summer. He finishes first in every sprint they run, he can lift as much as anyone on the team. He shot 40% for three in big 12 play.

I add: Exactly why he very definitely deserves a place on the team.

Jaybate - Good analysis. I would add a bit of clarification. 2 studs and 3 glue guys will give you a generally successful season ('08-'09), but it takes 3 studs and 2 glue guys, plus solid bench performers to make a great team. For example, I give you all the Jordan-led championship teams, with John Paxson, BJ Armstrong, or the Arizona guy playing the point, or the Celtics with Rondo at the point. There are probably more, but I'll stop there.

November 8, 2009 at 10:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Jayhawk86 (anonymous) says...

I wonder what Roy Williams ws thinking when he was recruiting him for Carolina?? This kid has no chance to contribute, I think I will waste a scholly on him. I wonder what Bill Self was thinking when he convinced Reed to come to Kansas instead of Carolina?? This kid has no chance to contribute, I think I will waste a scholly on him.
Georgia Tech?
Stanford?
Wake Forrest?

I just don't get the thinking. Oh, wait, yes I do. He's a white kid, so he must not be "athletic" enough. Get real people.

November 8, 2009 at 11:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

truehawk93 (anonymous) says...

“I am not worried about starting or coming off the bench. I just want to give the guys energy. Whatever happens doesn’t matter to me.”

All players need this attitude and the sky's the limit!!

Great attitude TR and you my friend are a true asset to this team.

RCJHKU

November 8, 2009 at 11:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

truehawk93 (anonymous) says...

Jayhawk86 (anonymous) says...
I just don't get the thinking. Oh, wait, yes I do. He's a white kid, so he must not be "athletic" enough. Get real people.

Whoa 86...long day? Easy! I sense some hostility and resentment. Let it go! It's going to eat you alive.

This "white" kid is the most athletic student player on the team. Just ask any of his teammates and Hudy!

They'll do fine and contribute much to KU's success this year regardless of your opinion.

November 9, 2009 at 12:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

truehawk93 (anonymous) says...

suttonku (anonymous) says...
I disagree with all who think that Tyrel should be in the 9 man rotation...I wouldn't even classify him as a guy that can hit "big shots"...How many big shots has he hit in his career?

sutton- I can recall some first half buzzer beaters that he hit in the clutch to pull us ahead or simply stuck a dagger in the opposing teams D! He was great at this 5-10 sec last shot situation. I would say one of the best in the nation as a freshman.

I think it's more consistency from all players that is necessary. We have lacked consistency. SC is the only player that has shown some consistency but it took most of last year to sharpen. We need guys to step when needed to drain big shots,Chalmerlike shots!! They'll do fine.

November 9, 2009 at 12:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

drgnslayr (anonymous) says...

I believe in Coach Self and if Coach Self believes in Tyrel, that's good enough for me! Personally, I've always felt he's a good weapon off the bench... come in and down the 3.... or get fouled late in the game and he'll hit his free throws. As long as he takes care of the ball this year, he will be needed in certain situations.

The rest depends on the players playing before him. If Tyrel gets lots of minutes this year people shouldn't look to criticize Tyrel, but the players that are supposed to be ahead of him.

November 9, 2009 at 12:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Eurekahwk (anonymous) says...

Everyone thought Jeff Boshee was something great. And we gave a North Dakota kid, an opportunity to play D-I ball. I think he may have even been the first North Dakota guy to play at this level. Don't tell me that Reed isn't as good as him. All Boshee did was shoot threes. He wasn't a great defender, he wasn't really a scorer. I think Tyrel Reed is passed him as a basketball player. He's already shot a better overall percentage. He's turn the ball over a lot less. Tyrel has shot threes only one percentage point less with a line extended from when Boshee played.

Reed may not play a lot, but I think we can agree that Jeff Boshee would be hard pressed to find minutes on this team as well.

November 9, 2009 at 1:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

suttonku (anonymous) says...

First of all Boschee really was clutch he didnt just hit 3s before the half he hit game winners...Dont put Reed in the same class as Boschee because Boschee played tough defense and Reed does not...Reed is strictly a shooter and thats it and sometimes hes not even that. You all speak like he is the best shooter on the team when he is not. I would like Sherron, Brady, and X to shoot ahead of Reed. You cannot compare Boschee's 3 point percentage to Reeds because Boschee shot more often than Reed did...And how about the fact that Boschee has made the most 3 pointers in KU history? Yeah, dont compare the two.

Not to mention the Boschee played 30 minutes a game in his career. And in that magical year of 2002, Boschee shot a magical 46% from 3 point land now that's clutch.

November 9, 2009 at 2:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

KULA (anonymous) says...

Tyrel will contribute meaningful minutes to this year's team. Probably not more than 15 min. per, but still meaningful minutes. And probably at the expense of Brady, but that's the way it goes. Tyrel earned his way out of a redshirt season with a team favored to win it all through his hustle and leadership. Don't think for a minute that doesn't mean a lot to HCBS. Look at how he put the ball in Tyrel's hands at the end of the MI State game last year. And in the future, look for Tyrel to be a fine coach in about ten years.

November 9, 2009 at 2:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Rock_Chalk_25 (anonymous) says...

Great point JOEKU, I forgot about Humphrey and Frasior. I think Reed is the same quality of shooter with slightly more athleticism than the other two, and Reed will be the perfect guy to sub-in in these three situations...

1. When Tyshawn Taylor turns it over on three straight possessions. Then, in Taylor's own words, "Coach Self be muggin me, you know I won't be mugging back." Cause after seeing Reed start in Taylor's rightful spot, we all know that Taylor still has some growing up to do on the court.

2. Giving quick breathers to Sherron, Tyshawn, and X for a few minutes. He will be expected to come in, play solid defense, move the ball on offense, don't turn it over, and hit threes. This spot is key to winning a few games and believe me--it is a hard position to fill. You know you're only in for a few minutes at a time and you know you either hit your shots or your boxscore for that night will look something like 0-4 FG, 1 RB, 0 A. Not pretty. But if you're tough mentally like Tyrel and have the right attitude, he CAN make a difference on this team, which is all the motivation that someone like him will need.

3. Filling in as Sherron's backup until either Elijah proves he can play he point this year or until CJ proves he's the player his dad claims him to be.

And finally....how can you not like this quote from an SI article on Cole and the Hawks'.

"Cole's one of the goofiest people I know. Big white people tend to breathe a different air."

Priceless! Excellent! Whatever way you look at it, one of the ten best quotes of my lifetime. Period.

November 9, 2009 at 10:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

robot (Robin Smith) says...

race is playing a part in the perceptions of Reed.

unfortunate but true.

November 9, 2009 at 5:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

martyks (anonymous) says...

You guys who are underestimating Reed are totally nuts. Athletic ability??? It's basketball. What do you want him to do? Jump over the backboard? Good lord, didn't he take the broad jump in track? Are you people crazy? It's as stupid a comment as I have ever heard. He's fast. I believe quickness and strength and jumping ability figure into athletic ability. I really believe that those who say he doesn't have "athletic ability" are using, either consciously or unconsciously, code for racism. You might as well start talking about how smart he is, but... It's pathetic that a guy can win his state's broad jump in track and have some idiot question his "athletic ability"... He's our best outside shooter, btw, but that doesn't mean anything to you? OMG... Take it back already! Where are my chill pills? I need them now.

November 9, 2009 at 7:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

suttonku (anonymous) says...

Im not doubting his athletic ability at all. Im saying that he is a one dimensional player. He shoots and thats hit. Not a very good defender. Doesnt handle the ball well. Not a very good driver. Who cares if he's fast? That doesnt always translate to points and production. If he is out there and he isnt hitting shots then he is worthless on the floor. I didnt think he looked that good last week in that exhibition game.

November 9, 2009 at 8:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

martyks (anonymous) says...

Points? Uhhh... shooting the three translates into points. One dimensional... wow. Since when doesn't he handle the ball well? Jordan needed his Kerr. Leave the kid alone. He fulfills a role we need on the court.

November 10, 2009 at 3:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )