Austin Reaves Discussion: Overachiever Who Underachieved

I can def understand your take on it. I just haven't seen it the way you have when it comes to Austin in this case.

I can't say he is incapable of handling ball pressure because, as you stated, we don't really use him that way. In fact, it is more likely not planned at all for him to bring it up. My POV is if he was primarily to do it he would adapt because he plays the game with his head. No way to know for sure but that would be my assessment.

On the 2 yr observation I (personally) don't think it is a fair bar for him at all. Last year he is an undrafted kid playing with the best in the game and another hall of famer (Bron and Davis) plus he was not getting the minutes to play as he has. I look at this year and how with each elevation of minutes and roles he gets he is adapting to it. I mean, Lebron deferred to him to handle the offense (like you said he can do in the half court set).

In the end, i think the kid is a ball player, period. He has holes in his game but he plays with his brain which can, in most cases, overcome the holes.

I like to see what he does next season as the league has now noticed him. Its easy to play that surprise factor but he don't have that anymore at all.

 

That's interesting. Sure he blows some like everyone else but I'm kind of the opposite regarding that in thinking he typically has really good feel for the non dunks with either hand and the touch and english he puts on them at all levels of speed getting there.

 

Props to you Man for picking up on his potential so early and for this quote

 

He got skills

 

Wow. He’s turning into a hell of a player …. just keeps getting better. His drive and kick game is coming too and he’s getting physical running people over.

 

He and Russell( To a lesser extent) are the only players I have faith can hit a three.

I ALWAYS expect Beasley and Brown to brick. Not to mention Lebron (but that's been the case all year.)

 

And AD who should never shoot them.

I have more faith in Dwight Howard shooting 3’s.

 

Made some timely shots but we couldn’t capitalize on them

 

he badly missed a big one that would have given us the lead iirc? anyway, he's become someone i expect to do good things as opposed to being pleasantly surprised.

 

1st Playoffs series, the kid is playing lights out. I love the aggressiveness, he presses from time to time, and has little mini stretches, of being kinda out control. It's all good to me though, it's a learning experience, and he's trying to figure out his place with D'Angelo. Playing better than D'Angelo too.

 

Not a point guard but playing the position more effectively than DLO right now?

 

Bane got him last game: time to get him back Austin.
Obviously, very different body types and the style of play is different but in terms of what roles and impact they have for their respective teams - pretty good comparison between the two. 3rd option, ground bound SGs, who have multi-faceted games and play hard on defense.

The not quite all-star star of the team

 

Once again I don’t consider Austin ground bound but maybe you’re referring to something specific. He has hops off one leg as I showed a couple pages back …. that was off one foot, look at the elevation …. and off two feet. He doesn’t dunk with one hand or cupped wrist and yes he is not an “uber athlete”.

Am assuming you mean “off the ground” is not an integral part of his game.

 

i think he means he doesn't finish over the top of anyone, even guards. and that's true of both, imo. they have to get by/around people to score. it's why morant is such a jaw dropper--he just goes over the top despite his size.

to me, the difference between austin and bane is that austin's a playmaker and bane's a finisher. each can do the other, but is stronger in their thing.

the similarity i agree with: it's the guy who can take it up a notch and give you the advantage. we expect AD/lebron and jjj/morant to do big things. whether bane or rui/reaves/russell does it is what determines outcomes.

 

Sorry bud he's definitely a bit ground bound for a starting NBA shooting guard - I don't think I've ever seen him throw down a facial one or two handed.
Also in game action if he gets stuck picking up his dribble he just doesn't have enough lift to get his turnaround off (he's been blocked by Slo Mo and Booker pretty easily as an example of this)

It's ok he's clearly better player than a guy like Lonnie who is definitely not ground bound and Bane as noted also doesn't throw it down on anybody.

 

I made a couple already

you missed them?

 

he's going to be worth whatever he's signed to this summer, and we won't be upset about it, imo. only injuries could change that, which is true for anyone. i just trust he's going to continue improving in pretty much all aspects.