Why is Reeves not considered pro material?

plumdog69

Senior
Jan 12, 2006
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Some would say his jumper starts too low, and as such needs longer and more room to get off. It’s is effective, when there is time. In the fastest games some might say he struggles because his shots takes too long. Some might also say his ball handling was not good enough to get defenders off him. I like his game. Hope he keeps polishing it. I believe he is a legit prospect.
 

UK90

Heisman
Dec 30, 2007
31,460
27,816
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He’ll be 24 years old when his rookie season starts, not laterally quick enough to be a good defender, not very athletic (at least by NBA standards), and doesn’t have the level of ballhandling skills needed to play anywhere other than as a spot up wing at the pro level.

He’s actually strikingly similar to Kellan Grady. Both older players, both about the same size, both transfers from mid majors, both sweet shooting wings and smart players, and both with similar weaknesses.

And, unfortunately, both too limited and beyond their expiration date to be considered much in the way of pro prospects.
 

anon1751545683

All-American
Dec 14, 2020
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He's got good height. Can rebound. Got a nice little baseline floater and can hit threes. What am I missing?
He doesn't rebound, he doesn't play defense, he doesn't pass, he can't handle the ball. He does one thing. And he's streaky at that.
 
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Skyguyb27

All-American
Feb 12, 2008
4,919
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With all due respect to Reeves , he disappears against high level college opponents. If the average fan can see it so can the scouts for the NBA. At his age and length in college if he was able to change it he would have.
 

Titpwhami2014

All-American
Feb 17, 2018
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NBA talent is deeper than it has been in years, European influx, etc. He’s also got a slight build, average athleticism and as others have pointed out, not a good defensive player. He does have an elite skill though so wouldn’t totally rule it out. There are some guys playing the league who I never thought would sniff a roster. All it takes is one team to believe in you.
 
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Oct 9, 2015
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Ok, I love him, but here are the issues:
- can’t handle the ball well enough
- can’t play D to save his life
- not quick enough either laterally or straight drive; just a touch slow
- average athlete

But biggest reason, he can’t take anyone off the dribble and won’t be able to get his own shot at next level; and even if he did squeeze in the space, he wouldn’t get it off half the time.

My opinions.
 

megablue

Heisman
Oct 2, 2012
16,383
16,962
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I don’t know … how many guards, not including point guards, are there in the NBA ?? What would be the total ??
 

PensacolaBlue

All-Conference
Nov 26, 2022
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To be fair, I don’t think the NBA cares all that much about defensive ability. Reed is on the NBA boards, and he isn’t exactly a defensive juggernaut.
 

C*A*T*S

All-Conference
Dec 11, 2009
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What does Herro do that Reaves don't? Not hating on Herro, I actually watch Heat games more than any other NBA team. There is lots of guards smaller than Reaves that can't guard anyone.

I'll add a better example is Herro's teammate Duncan Robinson. Guy can't guard in a wheelchair game. Does not even try to shoot inside the 3 line unless it s a layup. So Reaves will got a shot, if he makes shots he'll get on a roster. Todays NBA is you gotts be able to shoot. From 1 to 4 position gotta make 3's. The 5 spots are for rim runners and rim protectors. Not all NBA teams have that. Some like Nuggets have Jokic playing point center making plays and shooting thress.
 
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DraftCat

Heisman
Moderator
Nov 5, 2011
13,246
15,174
113
I just think theres so many players like Reeves that it's hard to separate yourself. He would of been a beast off the bench a decade ago... now players do what he can and play defense.
 

Boyd94

All-American
Feb 16, 2022
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I dont watch the NBA so I'm uninformed if Reeves could play or not. I just noticed that he wasn't on the draft board they showed during last night's game. I like his game. It looks like he is working hard to not just be known as a shooter.
 

Easternkybb

Senior
Oct 27, 2023
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He will play and be a contributor to an nba team just my opinion. I agree on the defense and needs to get stronger.
 

revcort

Heisman
Feb 20, 2003
32,522
30,904
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He either can not, or will not, play defense and he tends to disappear in big games.
Yeah, I'd say that has been the knock. However, I've been seeing some changes on both of those fronts this season. Cal put him on Missouri's best offensive player several times last night. And the disappearing act (and the backing down from physical play, which went along with disappearing) has been improving also. So, I'd say Reeves' prospects are improving.
 

SkyPrince1

All-Conference
Aug 17, 2004
4,793
3,764
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When did the NBA start playing defense?
Totally untrue.
If you don't guard, they will go at you every trip down and you won't be in the game long.
Good offense always beats good defense.
You just can't lock up the primary scorers in the NBA.
It's impossible.
 

SkyPrince1

All-Conference
Aug 17, 2004
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What does Herro do that Reaves don't? Not hating on Herro, I actually watch Heat games more than any other NBA team. There is lots of guards smaller than Reaves that can't guard anyone.

I'll add a better example is Herro's teammate Duncan Robinson. Guy can't guard in a wheelchair game. Does not even try to shoot inside the 3 line unless it s a layup. So Reaves will got a shot, if he makes shots he'll get on a roster. Todays NBA is you gotts be able to shoot. From 1 to 4 position gotta make 3's. The 5 spots are for rim runners and rim protectors. Not all NBA teams have that. Some like Nuggets have Jokic playing point center making plays and shooting thress.
Herro plays in a different stratosphere than Reeves.
 
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NociHTTP

Heisman
Mar 8, 2023
13,044
20,428
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Yeah, I'd say that has been the knock. However, I've been seeing some changes on both of those fronts this season. Cal put him on Missouri's best offensive player several times last night. And the disappearing act (and the backing down from physical play, which went along with disappearing) has been improving also. So, I'd say Reeves' prospects are improving.
I agree. I'm just thinking more along the lines of what scouts have been seeing for awhile now, his age and all that. I'm glad he's on our team, and I can't imagine what it's like to be in their shoes and feeling like they might never get to the NBA and make all that money.
 
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BC_Wader

All-American
Aug 13, 2021
5,040
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He doesn't rebound, he doesn't play defense, he doesn't pass, he can't handle the ball. He does one thing. And he's streaky at that.
I'd like to know what you've been watching. Last year, other than the end of the season, if he wasn't getting points long range he was ineffective. That all changed against Arky last year but he followed it up with cold shooting in March. This year? He's got a nice floater. He's dunking. He's driving and scoring. He's more than a 3 pt specialist. His D has never been good but he's upped his offense. It's pretty obvious
 
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megablue

Heisman
Oct 2, 2012
16,383
16,962
113
I believe he will get an opportunity to see if he can play at the next level. Whether he can, or not, I’m not sure. He’ll make money somewhere, though, maybe overseas. Having said that, I’ve always been surprised Tyler Ulis did not play abroad.
 

anon1751545683

All-American
Dec 14, 2020
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I can see him being a 2nd unit microwave type scorer for a team for sure
Maybe you can. But the NBA is the employer in this case and they don't see anything in him that they want. He's not an NBA player and never will be.

For our purposes he doesn't have to be. Not every UK player is going to the show. Mitchell won't either. But he's helping us.

A one dimensional player won't make it in the NBA unless he's just far superior to others on that one dimension.
 
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katwest

Heisman
Feb 16, 2003
40,004
14,046
113
If you can shoot the ball like he does, you will get a look, age is overrated in his case. They want people who can score, there are people who are slower and lacking the defensive prowess playing now.
 

Sparkaces

All-American
Sep 19, 2012
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I'd like to know what you've been watching. Last year, other than the end of the season, if he wasn't getting points long range he was ineffective. That all changed against Arky last year but he followed it up with cold shooting in March. This year? He's got a nice floater. He's dunking. He's driving and scoring. He's more than a 3 pt specialist. His D has never been good but he's upped his offense. It's pretty obvious
He is def showing more athletic ability this year, 6’5 shooting guards are are a dime a dozen, he will prob get a shot but have to work his way through G-League etc. Just for example, Herro is taller, more athletic, and the biggest factor is he can play PG!
 
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Runnin'Ramel

Heisman
Jan 19, 2005
35,674
13,551
113
He'll be on a two-way contract and get called up from time to time. Instant offense off the bench - assuming he can start making his open threes on a consistent basis -- that's all it is for shooters and the NBA. If you watch warmups and second units on the floor, they make wide open looks at that level.
 

FilsonCat

All-Conference
Apr 5, 2007
3,552
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There is a difference between getting a two way contract and being a full time contributor at the NBA level. I think that Reeves has a great shot at a two way contract, and can work his way on to a top heavy roster. It would help his case if he could play some point and handle the ball, but he really is more of a scorer.

I am not sure what you do with him on the defensive end at the next level, because he'd get picked on a lot. You can only zone so much in the NBA.
 

carolinacat

All-Conference
Nov 7, 2007
4,956
4,831
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Several posters nailed it. He can be a streaky good long range shooter (not unlike Meeks) and that gives him an opportunity to be a journeyman sniper.
 
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