Austin Reaves Discussion: Overachiever Who Underachieved

I'll be so mad if we Caruso him

 

He's a future point guard: such a good facilitator/initiator on offense. Doesn't need to score a single bucket to create a ton of points for your team. Actually reminds me a lot more of Ricky Rubio than Caruso the more I watch him

 

I hope he bust out as well, only remaining PC on the team

 

Good looking card. Getting ready to fire off one of his laser passes.

 

In a way, Carusogate will help him not to get the same treatment from the idiots up top.

Wait... is that right? Carusocalipse perhaps? Or Carusaster?

 

All of the above!

 

Does anyone else get some young Joe Ingles vibes? Playmaking wise and IQ. He isn’t there with the shot obviously and doesn’t have the same size.

I don’t see the PG concept people are saying but as a point forward that can do a bit of everything - he can be a truly excellent glue guy.

 

As a connector, yes.

Perfect piece to have around your stars.

 

It's his second year in the NBA and stepping back on that court against those athletes after months off has got to be a bit of a wake-up call. Thing about this kid is how fast he adjusts to the game, plays smart like a vet. Smarter than most vets actually. He's got to, he ain't no Ja Morant, Austin's not gonna shock & awe everybody with his explosive athletic ability. He was a triple-double last night per 36 and 3 steals 2 blocks is a guy who is highly active on the defensive end but also totally aware of where that ball is at all times. Disruptive like Caruso but maybe an even better producer on some things, 9 assists is awesome. We never saw Caruso dish like that. He's a starter for sure if he keeps that up. Reeves and Nunn backcourt.

 

Please god .... at least for LARGE chunks of the games. Be sneaky so Russ doesn't catch on and get his feelers all hurt. Or enraged.

 

How sweet were those 2 floaters that hit nothing but net last night?

 

His success in spite of all the discrimination he faces is admirable.

 

He's said he doesn't care, he will do whatever the team needs, he's also said he doesn't need the Laker's approval or to like him, he just wants to do his job. He is in the precarious position of being a lame duck, we don't give a damn if he likes his position on the team or not. He needs a new contract, coming off the 2nd biggest one in the NBA, if he wants a payday he will shut up and produce whatever he is asked to. I have felt strongly for some time and still do that we are best served with a 6th man Westbrook Let him destroy weak bench players offensively, his numbers will be great (serving that ego) and his lack of D (if that continues) will be less of a concern around a scrappy bench unit that defends as a whole.

 

Nunn and Reaves starting in the 1 and 2 positions would be so f****** awesome and get us off to good starts in games because they’re smart and very capable players both sides of the ball. Reaves could move to small forward to back up LeBron if needed when he goes out. Just give him at least 28-30 minutes a night in the most important parts of the game. The guy makes plays.

 

You are right, it would be awesome and should happen. Coaches have to see this and just be figuring out when. Both can pretty much do it all including going right or left. Lebron, AD, Nunn and Reaves is a pretty dynamic four. So far I like Wenyen better than Bryant or Jones but a few good games from Jones could change that. I like that Reaves makes it so much easier for Lebron. Lebron can cut for easy dunks and have wide open threes with a couple of guards that can put he pass right on the money. Lebron can get the same points without working as hard and being as susceptible to injury.

 

I don’t think starting is so important. What’s more important is how do we get everyone adequate game time.

We are quite strong guard wise with Russ, Schroeder, Bev and Nunn. I think we should embrace that. So I want to see Reaves play up a bit and get to his 24 minutes.

 

But he produces at a level that he should be out there more than 24 minutes. He's more valuable with his size and his talents than some of these other guys.

 

or we try to use everyone to their max for under 30mpg each to keep them fresh. but we are going to have to steal minutes with reaves playing the 3 spot defensively, which is ok but not optimal.

 

But that will cut into the future non max contract we'll have to offer. Too risky. Might as well trade him to Chicago now.