Austin Reaves, a guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, has been making headlines for his impressive performances during the NBA playoffs. Reaves, who was not even drafted in 2021, has been praised for his skills on the court and his ability to step up when the team needs him most.
According to an article by Basketball Network, Reaves has patterned his game after two NBA players, although the article does not mention their names (source). Despite the Lakers’ loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 2, Reaves expressed excitement about returning home to LA, as reported by Sportskeeda (source).
Reaves’ postseason debut in Game 1 was crucial to the Lakers’ victory, leading many in the basketball world to speculate whether he is turning into a star, as reported by FOX Sports (source). His teammate, D’Angelo Russell, was also recently praised by Reaves for his unselfishness and leadership, according to Lakers Nation (source).
In a game against the Grizzlies, Reaves had a standout performance during the fourth quarter, which led him to shout “I’m him” and explain the meaning behind it, as reported by Sports Illustrated (source). Despite not being drafted, Reaves continues to impress with every opportunity he gets, as mentioned in an article by CBS Sports (source).
Reaves made quite the impression on LeBron James during their first practice together with the Lakers, with James reportedly treating him like an NBA player from the start, according to Silver Screen and Roll (source). Although many may be asking who Reaves is, USA Today reports that he scored 23 points in his playoff debut and was instrumental down the stretch in the Lakers’ Game 1 victory against the Grizzlies (source).
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith had some strong words for Reaves, but there is no denying that he has proven himself as an X-factor for the Lakers during the playoffs, as reported by Yahoo Sports (source). With his impressive performances and rising star power, the spotlight will certainly continue to shine on Austin Reaves throughout the playoffs.
