I've watched this play about six times now and I don't know how AR got that shot off and made it. It was just him and two much larger Raptors, with another wating for a board. He makes it anyway to tie it at 120 with 42 secs left. Man, the Mamba Mentality of AR!
^Reminds me of Fisher during the 2010 Finals when he just decided to just take it while everyone relaxed for a bit...
I wouldn't be trading AR for anyone at this point. He is the MVP. Might be a couple others I would trade to build around Him.
I would trade everyone not named AR and Luka if it came down to getting the right pieces. Scottie Barnes would be perfect but Toronto has zero reasons to trade him.
It's simply unbelievable. We have 2 Lukas. Both 26 - 27. Not trading that s***. They are going to be the best backcourt duo for the next 5 - 7 years. By a country mile.
Also, all that b******* about AR not playing defense. He was the 2nd best defensive player behind DA all season long. Seriously. this game is the absolutely prime example. The entire game he went from running after Grady Genitals to battling Barnes in the post, taking charges, doubling on Barnes, blocking out. People just don't understand how hard that s*** is. And he scored 44 5 11. FFS. AR never was and never will be a problem on defense.
A Luka-esque quarter in that 3rd with 22. Dominating when Luka sits But he's ready to hand the keys back over Rui said in his post game that Austin mentioned he was tired before this game. We might need to find him a break when Luka does come back. This image and the stat to follow... just unreal Game on the line and Austin is swamped and arguably the GOAT is wide open even with the night he had In the same room as Joker with anything... good job Hillbilly Kobe
I LOVE that dude. I regret, every day, that Kobe didn't get the chance to see his white reincarnation. Also, how awesome it is that this HBK moniker we all thought was silly is AMAZINGLY appropriate.
What only 5 assists. Trade him for a pack of chips and some cash consideration.Might even including Rui too
I don't think I've ever seen something like this. Guy is pretty much unknown, spent 4 years in College, wasn't a lottery pick and went undrafted (kinda chose to be), gets better every year, and is now a top five MVP candidate, IMO. Like, I think we all thought his ceiling was 20/5/5 on good efficiency but we're legitimately seeing a guy turn into a superstar and be able to carry games against very good teams. Raptors are probably a top 3 team in the East and were 10-2 heading into this game their past 12 games. They're a legitimate ECF contender and Austin Reaves looked like the best player by a wide margin out there against guys like Ingram and Barnes. He could have gone for 50+ but he played unselfish efficient basketball. He's not like the empty stats Bradley Beal or LaMelo Ball. He's a winning player. From basically an unknown player to an MVP superstar player for the Lakers is just surreal. And the crazy part is his numbers could be a lot better but when Luka is out there, he defers to him. I think Giannis is a fantastic top 15 GOAT level player but considering his age, injuries piling up, and the chemistry Reaves has with the Lakers and Luka, I would not be upset at all if Rob holds the line and says they're not trading Reaves. In a way, this will boost Reaves confidence like no other. Imagine being told that the Lakers didn't trade for Giannis because they believe in Reaves to be able to carry the franchise with Luka.
Yup. I don't think LeBron+Luka+Giannis will get it done if LeBron isn't what he once was so it's not worth giving up Reaves and two first rounders for Giannis. Reaves right now will fetch 3 first rounders himself... He's playing better than Giannis is this season if we're being honest. All the Lakers need to do is find some 3/D guys and some lob dunkers for Luka. Luka+Reaves are an automatic 60 points every game.