Austin Reaves Discussion: How Much Is He Worth?

I mean how is it possible that he played this game for so long and still knows nothing about it.

 

Since LeBron is 40 in year 22, I’m expecting him to potentially miss a couple playoff games. With AR, there’s a chance we don’t skip a beat. That’s pretty cool.

 

It is hard for cats to give AR his props for a lot of reasons but it is laughable usually. The reason AR is the best #3 in the game right now is because he is holding his own and excelling with two amazing #1 and #2 players. Most teams have a great 1 and 2 then they have solid role players who can get theirs at times. With Lebron AND Luka out AR damn near willed the Lakers to beat Denver. With Lebron and AD out (I believe... to lazy to double check) AR lead the Lakers to beat the C Bags IN BOSTON.

How many #3 players can miss one or two of their best players and still drive the team to compete? I know it ain't no one on the Inglewood Clippers that's for damn sure.

 

Well Norman Powell has been very very good this year. He's had a weird career path where he's peaking at age 30 and 31.
Powell is putting up on bonkers numbers. 23 points on 63% TS percentage is definitely elite stuff.

AR is much younger obviously but what's odd and feels people don't really watch Reaves is that he is an elite playmaker which Powell just isn't. I think that is difference here AR is turning himself into a guy you can run your offense thru - can't really do that with other 3rd bananas like Bane and Powell.

 

I think "elite" playmaker is a bit much for Austin right now, but yeah he's a better playmaker than Powell. I trust him more to generate offense.

 

You're a third option when you lead a team in scoring per game ?

 

I love his handles and smarts. White boy makes opponents look like fools every game, hope he stays with the Lakers at least as long as Luka... for the reminders of their careers

 

Or on assists. That's what makes this Laker trip possibly uniquely special. I just have trouble finding three guys who can put up big scoring and assist numbers

 

You meant to say yes. Considering salaries and availability, he is a better option. By far.

 

It's never clear whether 3rd option means "3rd best player" or "3rd guy you rely on to generate offense".

 

More of the latter.

 

Well, he is all of those. He can also be a 2nd option if the original one is injured. Or sometimes even the 1st. He can also be your PG. Or... and hear me out, you can stick him on a guy on defense and he'd do just fine. He can score on the ball or off the ball. He can generate a shot in iso or play a roller in a PnR.

I wonder... are there many players that can do all of these?

 

I’m kind of sick hearing how Doncic is “carrying the Lakers” without LeBron only because that implies he’s doing it all by himself. It’s like these people don’t watch our games because Luka is clearly not doing it by himself. Austin has been spectacular he’s been playing like an All Star for months now he has a small mini slump after the injury, but he’s gotten past that and he’s been sensational these last several games.

 

Man some of those moves with the ball he is putting on are just NUTS like what he did to that defender to get into the key to toss Koloko the lop for a score.




Shirley one of the twitter guys has posted that today somewhere and JSM will be on it like the “internets” Hawk he is.

 

And lately people are going to “business” terminology to describe that most valuable thing they need when they have created a marvelous product …. in that when one or more of our Big 3 and/or other key players are out with a tough game scheduled …. HIM can SCALE up his production to meet the need.

 

i remember HIM having like 30 minutes of highlights in his second year.

This year the NBA put out a 30 min mix.

He is ridiculous.

 

3rd best team in LA. That means either a college or G League team is ahead of them. Sad.