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Austin Reaves Discussion: Will He Stay Or Will He Go?

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by JSM, Sep 26, 2021.

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Kenzo - Lakers All Star -

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After LeBron, we'll attract a star (AD will). Tatum or Luka have Lakers written all over them... i refuse to let go of that dream.

Kenzo, Aug 5, 2023

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Kenzo said: ↑

After LeBron, we'll attract a star (AD will). Tatum or Luka have Lakers written all over them... i refuse to let go of that dream.
Click to expand...

i hope so, but they'll have to buck the trend of stars signing extensions. though i suppose they can just sign and then demand a trade to us as long as they have been perceived as "loyal" up until that point...

abeer3, Aug 5, 2023

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Lol, for real, "Dame style". Jordan would love for one of his top guys, to play in LA. He could easily offset the cost of them not signing the extensions

Kenzo, Aug 5, 2023

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Kenzo said: ↑

Lol, for real, "Dame style". Jordan would love for one of his top guys, to play in LA. He could easily offset the cost of them not signing the extensions
Click to expand...

….. Jordan?

LTLakerFan, Aug 5, 2023

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i think luka and tatum are both jordan brand guys, right?

abeer3, Aug 5, 2023

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abeer3 said: ↑

i think luka and tatum are both jordan brand guys, right?
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Yup. Since Zion is a d****** and always injured, i think Luka and JT are Jordan's best bets right now.

Kenzo, Aug 5, 2023

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AR raining slo-mo 3s

JSM, Aug 5, 2023

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Full scrimmage today

JSM, Aug 5, 2023

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Here's the Austin quotes. Lots of high praise from Kerr.

“He fits in wherever we put him; that’s the beauty of Austin,” Kerr said. “He’s a connector. He’s a hell of a basketball player. He’s physical, shoots and passes it. Just so poised out there all the time. He’s a guy who enhances any lineup that he plays with.”
Click to expand...

“Mainly, it’s just better to have him on your team than to have him on the other team,” Kerr said. “That’s what I would say about Austin. One of the fun things with this endeavor is that you really get to know guys who you’ve competed against and admired, but then you really get to know their games.”
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“Just feel, vision, awareness, and understanding of the game,” said Kerr of what makes Reaves a “connector.” “The ball just goes to the right spot, the right cut is made. Austin made a play yesterday where he made a drive and kick; he was kind of behind the defense, and he worked completely behind the defense, flashed kind of in the middle of the paint, caught it and swung it through. He had feel; you have to have awareness to make a play like that. So connectors are guys who make those types of plays, and the game just makes sense, and you end up getting open shots.”
Click to expand...

JSM, Aug 5, 2023

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#connector

…. new buzzword. Coined for Austin HIM Reaves.

”The Connector”

LTLakerFan, Aug 5, 2023

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JSM, Aug 6, 2023

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Way to represent, Austin

JSM, Aug 6, 2023

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still can't allow myself to believe...

ZenMaster, Aug 6, 2023

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Austin is a current and future star for us. He is in AD and Lebron's shadow which is actually good, and he makes the right play and does the dirty work. If he was on a team without two superstars, he would have the stats that make people ooh and aah and would be talked about in the same conversations as any of the young players. Kerr and others that know the game already know his value. With Max also developing we are looking good going forward from internal growth. Colin will be on that same trajectory. With AD locked in and young stars we will be a great destination for free agents. We are sitting sweet right now.

Toklat, Aug 6, 2023

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JSM said: ↑

Here's the Austin quotes. Lots of high praise from Kerr.
Click to expand...

I hope people really read this and take it to heart. He has been this kind of player from day one. He is much better now but he has always been a "Connector"...lol. Connectors usually get overlooked by stat watchers, but their value is extremely high for coaches.

Toklat, Aug 6, 2023

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JSM, Aug 6, 2023

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HA!! Hillbilly freaking Kobe with the left handed 3 like it was nothing.

LTLakerFan, Aug 6, 2023

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ZenMaster said: ↑

Underwhelming roster. Probably gonna get their a** kicked. Not being an American, couldn't care less. All I want is for Austin to play, learn and not get injured.

This is laughable: Jalen Brunson Mikal Bridges Brandon Ingram Cam Johnson Jaren Jackson Jr.

Click to expand...

ZenMaster said: ↑

still can't allow myself to believe...
Click to expand...

Do we have enough size and defensive talent at center? Any “monstars” going to kill us there?

LTLakerFan, Aug 6, 2023

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USA scrimmage game.

KuzmoBall17, Aug 6, 2023

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The undrafted third-year Lakers guard is getting an opportunity of a lifetime to play for his country in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
LAS VEGAS — Watching Austin Reaves on the basketball court, you think to yourself, “Nice player, but nothing special.”

Suddenly, he’s hit three or four shots in a row or made a couple of sweet passes to a teammate leading to buckets and the thought process becomes, “Yeah, he’s pretty good.”

Not everyone travels the same road to play for their country. It’s not always about the superstars and the highly acclaimed. Sometimes, you take a divergent path to get a spot on USA Basketball’s roster.

In Reaves case, it was definitely not the usual route. He was undrafted, signed a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers a couple of years ago, came off the bench playing with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, eventually evolving into a starter. He played a pivotal role in the Lakers reaching the Western Conference Finals in this year’s NBA Playoffs, ultimately getting swept by the eventual champion Denver Nuggets.

Grant Hill, the managing director for USA Basketball, was paying attention. Reaves, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Arkansas who played collegiately at Wichita State, then Oklahoma, was asked to join the national team which will travel to the Philippines later this month and compete in the FIBA World Cup.

“I was shocked,” Reaves said at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center about how this all came to be. “As a kid, you watch (USA Basketball) and you fantasize taking that last shot to win the gold medal. Now, I’m here and with a chance to contribute and be part of it. It’s a tremendous honor personally and to also represent the Lakers.”

Where does he fit in? Every player on Steve Kerr’s roster has started for their NBA team. Some will be asked to serve in a different role than what they’re accustomed to. In Reaves’ case, it won’t be a problem. His versatility will allow him to fit in nicely.

“He’s got a high basketball IQ and coaching against him, I noticed how he can do a lot of different things well,” Kerr, who coaches the Golden State Warriors, said of Reaves. “He’s a very talented player and he’s definitely going to help us, regardless of how he’s used.”

We’ll get an idea of what Reaves’ role will be like Monday night when Team USA plays Puerto Rico at T-Mobile Arena in a tuneup for the World Cup, which begins Aug. 25 and runs through Sept. 10. The tournament is a prelude to next Summer’s Olympics in Paris and the winner and runner-up will be granted automatic spots in the field. So it’s an important event.

There’s no guarantee any of the 12 players on the World Cup roster will make the trip to France come 2024. But it’s a great opportunity to show they should be included.

Reaves said adjusting to international play and playing with different teammates hasn’t been a problem .

“I know these guys from having played against them,” he said. “It’s just a matter of getting comfortable with each other.”

While Reaves forges his niche with the national team, his role with his NBA team is firmly established. Last month, the Lakers signed the former free agent to a four-year contract extension worth $56 million.

“I love being in L.A. I love playing for the Lakers,” Reaves said. “I didn’t want to go anywhere else.”

Other than getting out on the golf course where he’s a scratch golfer, or going to work out, Reaves doesn’t head out too often.

“The traffic sucks,” he said of Los Angeles’ notorious freeways and high volume of cars on the road at any given time. “But you learn to deal with it.”

At age 25, he still has room to grow emotionally. Being around James has helped him learn to be professional and maximize his abilities on the court.

“The thing LeBron has taught me is never waste a second,” he said. “Make the most of your time and be productive.”

His numbers with the Lakers indicate Reaves is paying heed to James’ wisdom. In his rookie season, he averaged 7.3 points in 23 minutes per night. Last year, his scoring average improved to 13 points per outing while averaging almost 29 minutes while shooting 53 percent from the floor and nearly 40 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.

His USA Basketball experience should help his development even further.

“It’s an opportunity to grow as a player,” Reaves said. “I feel very blessed and I’m trying to take advantage of it.”
Click to expand...

JSM, Aug 6, 2023

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