Naz Reid Excels While Embracing New Role With Timberwolves

Reid's Message to T'Wolves Teammates

Reid had a message for his T'Wolves teammates that helped relieve the pressure he felt was being placed on him.

The 6'9, 264 pound stretch five out of Louisiana State University has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his recent NBA career but needed a little extra room to breathe and decided to take matters into his own hands.

He was asked about "putting so much pressure on (himself) to be perfect and had a candid response.

Reid said he is using his vocal cords to tell teammates to give him more space to work through mistakes.

"It's hard, that's why I don't want them to do that, I'm trying to teach them not to do that, it's hard," Reid said.

"Luckily I've been able to do so...I had a good team and good guys around me who also taught me the ins and outs of the league and how to go about things."

Reid was praised for his improved vocal leadership by starting center Rudy Gobert in late October and has continued to improve judging by his latest results.

T'Wolves Set to Battle Wizards

The Timberwolves will next head east to battle coach Brian Keefe's Washington Wizards in Washington, D.C.

The Wizards are on an 11-game losing skid but were getting encouraging play from former number two overall pick Alex Sarr until his most recent performance, a 4-for-12 shooting night that culminated in a nine-point performance during a loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

The Timberwolves have plenty of advantages against Sarr and the Wizards and Reid can be one of them if he plays up to his potential.

Reid seems at his best when he is able to play off of Anthony Edwards and the rest of his Minnesota teammates, picking his spots on offense and easing into his above average perimeter shooting game.

The Timberwolves are still a work in progress.

Reid, Finch and the rest of the team are working to fine tune things in pursuit of the team's first NBA championship. There will be plenty of additional opportunities for Reid to practice his growing communication skills along the way.