Exclusive: Tarris Reed Jr. embraces the Spurs' enforcer role and so much more

For the last couple of years, Spurs fans have repeatedly asked Santa for one thing: someone willing to embrace the dirty work. San Antonio needed a body to crash the glass, set bruising screens, and answer physicality with power. Well, they found that this summer in the draft, and when I asked rookie Tarris Reed Jr. about that role, he didn't shy away from it.

Jahlil: Spurs fans have been talking about wanting an enforcer on the team—Do you think that's part of your personality?

Tarris: Yeah. That's going to be one of my biggest assets this year... crashing the glass, offensively and defensively, hittin' bodies... being able to do the dirty work and just keep doing it over and over again.

That answer immediately stood out because he never tried to sell himself as the next superstar. Reed is walking into a ready-made situation, understanding what's being asked of him, and he's ready to deliver.

Reed already knows exactly why the Spurs drafted him

The Silver and Black had already taken Jayden Quaintance with the 20th overall pick, but when there's a talent like The Bear on the board late in the first round, and you need size, you go get that guy. That's what San Antonio did when they jumped up to the 26th spot to grab another one of UConn head coach Dan Hurley's special prospects.

The Spurs don't always make aggressive moves like that in the draft. In fact, they've been prone to trading out of spots when they didn't feel the talent on the board warranted using up a roster spot. I asked Tarris about what San Antonio's decision to go after him says about the organization's belief in him. Strong in his faith, Reed gave a strong response.

"It's a blessing. What I'm able to bring to an organization... is my everyday effort, my motor... my physicality... on the defensive end, rebounding, set hard screens. So, a great organization that really believes in me... I'm just excited to be part of the family."

Again, notice what wasn't said in his answer. There was no mention of scoring points, developing his jumper, or finding his way into the starting lineup. Reed is focused on giving his all to whatever is asked of him. He's leaning into his effort, physicality, rebounding, and screening. If Spurs fans were to make a list of wishes for the next big man to join the roster, these would be the traits referenced.

The "enforcer" identity fits Tarris perfectly. Playing dirty is never the goal, but he naturally describes himself as the physical workhorse this team sorely needs. Dishing out punishment is just a consequence of using, as he astutely put it, the gifts God gave him.

Reed has the mentality Spurs fans have been asking for

Tarris comes off as an extremely humble hard worker who doesn't expect anything to be given to him. When asked about which Hall of Famers in San Antonio he looked forward to learning from, he brought up Coach Pop, Manu Ginobili, and, of course, Tim Duncan. So, I asked if he'd had a chance to pick anyone's brain.

"[With] Manu, we sat down to dinner with all the rookies, so that was really good; just hearing his story... I asked him as a rookie, 'What do you expect?'...He just harped on the routine, having good habits, and going hard each night... Trust the process. And then, [I'm] definitely gonna talk to Tim Duncan when I get back; that's gonna be pretty cool."

Are you seeing the trend in Reed's responses? Effort, effort, effort. He's willing to work for his spot, knowing that's what landed him in the Alamo City in the first place. And it's everything Spurs fans respect—a young guy willing to put his best foot forward every night as the team marches toward the same goal.

The Spurs drafted so much more than just an enforcer

When he's not working on his game, he'll probably be home watching television or playing one of the smoothest-sounding instruments of all time: the saxophone.

"I like to watch documentaries [and] watch some TV. I'm a homebody, man," Reed told Air Alamo, before later explaining his musical side, "I've been playing [saxophone] since sixth grade, and I have it with me back home in St. Louis. I'm definitely gonna bring it to me in San Antonio. In my free time, when I don't have much to do, I'll definitely play the saxophone."

Spurs fans may even get a chance to listen to the 26th overall pick show off his skills.

"The national anthem has been a hot topic for me. Everyone's been telling me, 'You should do the national anthem one day.' That might come true in the future."

Whether that patriotic spectacle comes to fruition or not, one thing is already clear: fans are going to appreciate Tarris Reed Jr. for everything else he brings to the table.

Spurs Nation may have wanted an enforcer, but after spending nearly 12 minutes speaking to him, it's easy to see why San Antonio traded up to get him. The physicality is obvious. The mentality is even more impressive. That's the combination that gives him a chance to become far more than just another rookie big man.

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