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The LA Lakers featured Russell Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis against the Portland Trail Blazers, but it was Austin Reaves who was the star. LA’s emerging sophomore looked effortless for much of the game, scoring a career-high 22 points which were punctuated by several smooth and savvy moves.
Reaves was interviewed courtside after the game but was photobombed by his two former MVP teammates. The scene was both lighthearted and hilarious, but Skip Bayless had other thoughts about why James and Westbrook interrupted the interview:
“Austin Reaves finally gets a postgame star-of-the-game interview - and LeBron photobombs it, then Westbrook did. Egomaniacs, both. They just can't stand it if the spotlight isn't on them, especially the "King."”
Austin Reaves continued his strong showing, which started when LeBron James was sidelined for five games due to a groin injury. He showed flashes of excellent playmaking and reading of the game. He has been a great piece surrounding Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook during James’ absence.
Reaves is averaging career-highs in scoring (10.9 PPG), rebounds (3.3 APG) and steals (2.1). He is now a significantly better and more efficient scorer than last year. He is hitting 54.0% of his field goals, including 39.7% from beyond the arc.
What makes Austin Reaves such a good fit around LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis is his versatility. He can play the two-guard or slide into the small forward role when needed. Reaves doesn’t need to have the ball all the time and is very smart and decisive with his off-ball movements.
Against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night, he was seemingly all over the floor, doing the little things that kept the Lakers’ momentum going. He played a team-high 35 minutes and led the starters in net rating with +10. The Lakers outscored the Blazers by 10 points when he was on the floor.
LeBron James and Russell Westbrook have noticed and lauded Austin Reaves’ improvements this season
LA Lakers coach Darvin Ham predicted how important Austin Reaves would be to the team this season. Stars LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook have extolled his play over the past few games.
In the past 10 games where the Lakers have gone 6-4, Reaves is averaging 14.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He is shooting 58.0% from the field and 37.7% from deep. Ham also increased his minutes in those games, playing 32.6 MPG, compared to 24.9 MPG in their previous 10 matches.
Collectively, the Lakers have praised his playmaking, aggressiveness and basketball IQ. Westbrook probably said it best in describing Reaves’ contribution to the LA Lakers lately:
“His ability to play the game the right way. It’s hard to come by in this league when you’re around for a long time. He understands how to play even at a young age. He knows how to play the game the right way and when you do that, good things happen to you.”
Defensively, Reaves’ not the most athletic, the strongest, or the fastest, but he tries to make up for it with grit and scrappiness. He has become one of the NBA’s best in drawing charges. Reaves also provides more size around the perimeter for the Lakers’ guard-heavy roster.
