Rudy Gobert has helped turn the Minnesota Timberwolves’ defense into the league’s best. He deters drives, blocks shots, and stymies offensive plans but doesn’t work alone. The best defenses don’t just rely on an elite rim protector like Gobert. The Wolves have stout on-ball stoppers in Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil-Alexander Walker, pesky guards in Mike Conley and Jordan McLaughlin, and savvy help defenders like Naz Reid to help ensure the defense doesn’t break down.
Reid’s efficient three-point shooting and microwave scoring off the bench have been among Minnesota’s best developments this season. However, his defense has potentially been his most impactful improvement point.
According to CleaningTheGlass, opponents score 4.2 fewer points per 100 possessions against the Wolves when he’s on the floor (84th percentile). It’s almost a complete flip from last season when opponents scored 4.5 more points per 100 possessions with Reid on the floor (15th percentile).
Reid is playing with Gobert in 44.9% of his minutes this season compared to just 15.9% last season, but there’s reason to believe Reid’s statistical improvement is more than just the by-product of playing with good teammates. His court awareness allows him to jump passing lanes and force turnovers, make timely and crisp rotations, and fly in for blocks.
In the play below, Reid helps out Alexander-Walker to stop Payton Pritchard’s drive. Luke Kornet’s good screen frees up space for Pritchard, who would’ve had an open layup had Reid not been aware of the developing play. As a bonus, McDaniels knows Reid will leave his man, Sam Hauser, alone in the corner and slides down to take away the potential corner three:
Excellent help defense doesn’t need to be flashy. After James Harden threads a nifty pass to Terance Mann, who can drive to the basket, Gobert shuts it down. But the actual play happens behind the scenes when Reid slides down to cover Gobert’s man. The play isn’t over, and Reid’s quick feet and positioning prevent Mann from finding Reid’s original assignment in the corner:
Kawhi Leonard still makes the contested mid-range jumper, but the Wolves will live with that shot, considering Mann could’ve found Ivica Zubac for a lob down low.
While it may be difficult to see the value of quality defensive rotations like the one above, it is easy to see the value of forced turnovers.
Reid is always looking to jump passing lanes, but not at the expense of the overall defense. In the play below, Reid is positioned to remove a driving lane from Russell Westbrook. Reid’s textbook stance allows him to close out on Norman Powell in the corner and make a play on a pass to the cutting Leonard. Reid glances over at Leonard before needing just one step to get the steal:
Reid’s propensity for steals, with his 93rd percentile turnover percentage (TOV%) per CleaningTheGlass, is more like that of a smaller guard or wing. Unlike most other big men, he moves in space, which is often seen in his electric dribble moves and drives. This helps him greatly on defense, too, where his quickness coincides with his awareness of making even obvious passes risky.
With the Wolves functionally in a 1-2-2 zone, Xavier Tillman holds excellent positioning at the free-throw line. Reid adjusts his body perfectly, almost like a baseball player leading off to steal second base. With this perfect alignment and with Karl-Anthony Towns needing to run up to meet Tillman, Reid can cover both the man on the wing and in the corner:
Though he’s been an active help defender, Reid has almost completely avoided foul trouble. He’s playing the most minutes per game (23.2) of his career but fouling only 2 times per game, a career average low. Reid’s smart defensive play can be seen in this play in yet another similar situation.
Reid is a tad late this time as Gobert leaves Jalen Duren alone under the rim. Bojan Bogdanovic makes the wrap-around pass, but Reid easily pokes the ball away from behind. Many players would’ve been unable to make a play, and those that tried would’ve hacked Duren’s arm or hands from a poor defensive position (behind the ball):
Defense in basketball is a team effort. Players like Gobert can solidify what a defense can become but help defenders like Reid can ensure a team’s defense reaches its full potential. Reid always knows where he needs to rotate if a play breaks down. He’s always aware of where Gobert is on the floor, having his back and preventing damage plays.
