Lakers News: LeBron James, Austin Reaves Fully Bonded As Playmakers At This Moment
Since Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves joined the franchise, he has made a name for himself. He went undrafted out of Oklahoma in 2021, then signed on with LA on a two-way deal before quickly working his way onto the club's standard roster before the starter of the season. He is now the third-best player on the team, in many people's eyes.
Recently, Reaves appeared on The Lowe Post podcast with ESPN hoops insider Zach Lowe and provided some insight into how he and star LeBron James have bonded on the court.
“There was no real conversation off the court or anything,” Reaves said. “I always knew that we from day one, we connected on that IQ level just thinking the game differently than other people do.”
James likely saw the drive from Reaves to continue working on his craft and respected him for it. Reaves does all of the little things on the court, and to a player like James, that can make all of the difference.
The two men have had good chemistry since Reaves first joined the Lakers, and it has only grown since. Especially with their battles in the playoffs last year, things should only keep getting stronger on the court.
“But the one that stood out to me — it was in the playoffs, was Game 1 against Memphis — when I had to really go four quarter. I struggled the first half, I think I was 2-for-7 at half from the field and then got it goin’ in the fourth. And I remember, I think I got two buckets in a row, and someone, I think [Desmond] Bane might’ve shot a wing 3 on the right side, and it come off, and I don’t know if D’Lo [D’Angelo Russell] got the rebound or who or Vando [Jarred Vanderbilt] got the rebound. But I was on the left side, and I just went to run the floor. They outlet it to Bron and — this was right before I hit the 3 I think — and me goin’ to run the floor, I hear Bron yelling at me like, ‘A.R., come back!’ And he just tosses me the ball. And I’m like, ‘Oh s—.’
Reaves took over in game one of the playoffs, marking that he was ready for the moment. It was a special occurrence, and James likely already knew that he was built for the playoffs.
James is all about winning, and so is Reaves. They don’t care how the team wins, as long as they are the ones victorious at the end of a game.
“‘Cause he knows me, I don’t care about, if I go score, if I may get a play for someone else. He knows I just wanna win”
The way that both of their minds work helps things and makes everything easier for each other. They will look to continue the bond they have this season, as the Lakers go for another playoff run. LA has the look of a title contender, so as long as they stay healthy, the potential is there.
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