He is a reserve player who happens to be a favorite of not only Timberwolves fans, but also his teammates.
The ovations he receives are starting to rival those of star guard Anthony Edwards. For awhile there, Reid was a lovable cult hero. But an entire Target Center crowd extends far beyond the reaches of the circles of Reddit.
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Reid is simply, universally, loved.
“Naz is the best, man,” Wolves point guard Mike Conley said of the 6-foot-10 center after the Timberwolves’ home victory Saturday night over the Miami Heat.
As Reid beamed in the locker room, Kyle Anderson told him his 25-point, eight-rebound performance against the Heat was some “6th Man of the Year (stuff).” Yet any praise he receives from his peers pales in comparison to what he’s showered with in his kingdom known to most as Target Center.
Every member of the roster is introduced individually before each home opener. When “At 6-foot-10, from LSU” was called out by Timberwolves’public address announcer Jedidiah Jones, the crowd hit a new decibel level — it was time for Naz Reid. The crowd’s roar for Reid matched that of his superstar teammates.
“That’s just love, man,” Reid said after the game. “I’m speechless. It’s crazy because it’s something that you dream of as a kid. It’s definitely special.”
As is the “Naz Reid” chants that echo throughout the arena as Reid takes over games, as he did in the second half of Minnesota’s win over Miami. An internet joke of sorts has quickly morphed into a rallying cry — a symbol of hope for the franchise, now and in the future.
“You never can really imagine something that special,” Reid said. “I appreciate every single person that was able to do that for me.”
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But why does Reid invoke such emotions out of those who spend time with him and watch him play basketball?
A big part likely has something to do with his journey. Reid was an undrafted free agent, thought to be a talented player who wasn’t going to live up to his potential at the pro level. How wrong that has been proven to date.
Reid demonstrated his wide array of skills from the early stages of his career. But, more importantly, he has grown in every pivotal facet since then.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch lauded Reid’s improvement as a rebounder, perimeter defender and attacker of switches this offseason.
He said Reid’s current confidence level is a “testament to what a great summer can do for you.” Later, the coach conceded every summer Reid has spent as a professional has been “great.” Reid is never satisfied with the current state of his game, instead yearning for new ways to improve and, thus, ascend.
“Whether it was his body early and then finding his game and then his confidence,” Finch said. “He’s a worker.”
Timberwolves fans love workers. They crave effort. Regardless of performance level, Reid will give you his best every night. That was evident against Miami, as Reid chased the likes of Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson around the 3-point line when called upon. Whatever the challenge, Reid will do his best to meet it.
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“I thought his defense tonight, particularly chasing and guarding and being up and being impactful, it was awesome,” Finch said. “And his rebounding has taken another leap. Fun to watch him play, for sure.”
Even more so on offense, where Reid is an agent of good basketball. Reid never stands still. He’s always moving his body or the ball. He is a read-and-instantly-react player.
“He does things quickly. That’s what we’ve always loved about him,” Finch said. “He’s just a catalyst in our offense. He creates next-action basketball.”
Which makes him a dream to play alongside.
“The way he approaches the game — on the court he’s easy to play with because he just moves and the ball is always just going somewhere and he doesn’t really think too much as far as what to do with it,” Conley said. “He’s just dribble, shoot, pass, he’s going right to it. Those guys are really fun to be around. He’s just a good teammate and a heckuva player.”
Conley said Reid is “one of my favorite guys that I’ve been able to play with as a teammate.” Partially because Reid is about the right things. No one wants to win as badly as Reid, something that has been evidenced by the pain he exudes when Minnesota struggles, and the pleasure he feels with the team’s successes.
Given all that, it’s no wonder Minnesota basketball fans — who take a strong liking to basketball played the right way — were so pleased when Reid signed a new three-year deal this offseason to remain with the team.
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They have attached themselves to the 24-year-old center.
In return, the ever-appreciative Reid has done the same.
The big man took a moment during his postgame interview to highlight a “honk if you love Naz Reid” sign that caught his eye Saturday.
“I see a lot of things that I don’t really get a chance to acknowledge,” Reid said. “I didn’t really get a chance to acknowledge that (sign). But just stuff like that, it doesn’t go unnoticed, and I appreciate all the love.”
The bond between player and fan base only continues to strengthen. Thanks to that new contract, the love affair will carry on for at least two more seasons.
“I wasn’t going anywhere (in free agency),” Reid said. “I love it here, man. It’s special. It’s definitely a place I want to be and develop. I’ve developed from year one to now. Each and every year, I’ve gotten better, so there was definitely no reason for me to leave.”
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This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here.
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