Sixers' Paul Reed Embraces Pressure of Battling to Backup Embiid

Playing time for Paul Reed has been hard to come by this season. In his third year with the Philadelphia 76ers, Reed’s 12 minutes per game during last season’s playoff run didn’t earn the third-year center a chance to become Joel Embiid’s full-time backup.

Going into the 2022-2023 NBA season, Reed was in the midst of a three-man battle for the backup five spot, competing with Montrezl Harrell and Charles Bassey. While Reed outlasted Bassey, who was waived after training camp, Harrell got the nod to play behind Embiid to begin the season.

Inconsistent play from Harrell and injuries early on in the year caused Doc Rivers to issue Reed more playing time. While there was a 28-game stretch where Reed averaged 11 minutes on the floor from early November to early January, the young veteran picked up six DNPs during a 12-game stretch recently. When he did play, Reed averaged six minutes, with his playing time coming in micro-spurts for energy or during garbage time.

Lately, that hasn’t been the case. With Harrell struggling, Doc Rivers rolled with Paul Reed behind Embiid over the last three games. Averaging 13 minutes on the court, Reed pointed to consistency in the dark as a reason why he’s been issued playing time as of late.

“Being consistent with everything I’ve been doing,” said Reed when asked what might’ve led to more playing time as of late. “Just putting in the work, staying consistent, being a good teammate, and when I get my opportunity, just playing the right way.”

Doc Rivers has preached staying ready all year for all of Philadelphia’s reserves. But when it comes to the backup centers, Rivers made it known to everybody that the rotation can change on any given night.

“It was just, ‘You’re up.’ We didn’t have no conversation, but I told him that I’m staying ready,” Reed said, describing his interactions with Rivers as of late. “Despite the adversity I was facing, you know, I guess he respected that.”

During his downtime, Reed still prepared every day and night as if playing time was guaranteed. Knowing there were areas of his game that needed improvement, Reed revealed some of the areas he’s put focus on as of late.

“I think the biggest thing I was working on was just finishing around the rim and getting stronger,” he explained. “Just little details like setting screens, defensive coverages, making sure I’m in the right places. I’ve been working on all of that stuff.”

Having an uncertain role in the rotation during year three certainly isn’t a situation anybody in the league wants. As Reed’s been in a constant battle for minutes throughout the year, he’s done his best to take the tough times head-on and fuel himself for when his next opportunity would approach.

“I’m a competitor, and I love to compete, but it can get frustrating, and it’s like a lot of pressure,” Reed admitted, touching on the minutes battle behind Embiid. “But I feel like with a dude like me, pressure always brings the best out of me. So, it is what it is.”

For now, it seems Reed is the go-to guy at the five spot for the Sixers’ second unit. While that could change with Harrell waiting in the wings and Dewayne Dedmon joining the roster, Reed isn’t up against a battle that’s caused him to fold before. Therefore, he’s going to take the minutes issued to him in hopes of carving out a consistent role for himself.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.

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