Minnesota Timberwolves: 4 things to watch from Wolves young players

Minnesota Timberwolves to watch: Naz Reid as an offensive rebounder

I’d love to be able to simply say that Naz Reid needs to improve on not fouling as much and call it a day in terms of what Reid needs to improve on. It’s an issue that has plagued Reid throughout the year, although he’s fouled less under Chris Finch. Read into that however you’d like.

But, something even more interesting is this: Reid’s offensive rebounding rate before the All-Star break was 5.4 percent (37th percentile). Reid’s offensive rebounding rate post-All-Star break? Currently sitting at 6.8 percent (45th percentile).

Now, you can make the argument that individual rebounding numbers are overrated and it’s about how the team rebounds. Well, the Wolves are No. 9 in offensive rebounding rate since the All-Star break, compared to No. 16 pre-break.

It’s evident that Finch wants the team to crash the offensive glass, and Reid is becoming a beneficiary of it. Additionally, Reid is shooting 76.2 percent on putbacks and 71.4 on tip dunks and layups, per stats.NBA.com.

This is due in part to Reid coming off the bench, meaning that he’s mostly facing less talented big men than when he was starting, but Reid has also done a good job finding space for putbacks and tips while also taking advantage of his size when teams go small.

Reid’s overall rebounding rate has gone up since the break and it’s going to be worth watching to see if he can keep that going and become an even more valuable backup to Towns.