Miami Heat: Grading every player at the midway point of the season
By Simon Smith
Willie Reed
One bright spot in an otherwise bleak season for the Heat has been the continued improvement of backup center Willie Reed. With Hassan Whiteside leading the way for the Heat in the middle, finding meaningful playing time has not come easy for Reed. In 34 games, Reed is averaging 5.1 points and 4.8 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game. He has shot an impressive 56.8 percent from the field.
In only his second full season in the league, Reed’s athleticism and intensity during games has been hard not to notice. Most importantly, Reed has made the most of the rare occasions when Whiteside has been out of the lineup. In four games as a starter, Reed played 26.3 minutes per game and averaged 13.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks while shooting at a 65.0 percent clip.
Having now played just 73 career NBA games, Reed’s improvement has been both dramatic and exciting. The problem facing the Heat is what to do with Reed this coming offseason. Still just 26 and with great upside, a number of teams will certainly be interested in Reed’s rising paint presence.
Check the video below for highlights of Reed’s career game this season. Matched against the Phoenix Suns, Reed posted 22 points on 11-of 16 shooting, 18 rebounds and two blocks in 32 minutes.