Lakers News: Austin Reaves Keeping Tabs On Anthony Davis & Max Christie
There is always a ton of excitement when a team brings in a new player, especially a superstar talent the caliber of Luka Doncic, as the Los Angeles Lakers recently did. But it also means sending players away, those who have great friendships and relationships with their teammates, as was the case for Austin Reaves with Anthony Davis and Max Christie being dealt to the Dallas Mavericks.
Reaves had grown close to both Davis and Christie over the past few seasons and to see them gone was undoubtedly difficult. And just because they are no longer teammates doesn’t mean the Lakers guard isn’t still keeping up with them and rooting for their success.
Reaves recently revealed that he has kept tabs on both since the deal and is wishing for nothing but good things for both Davis and Christie in Dallas.
“Ever since the trade went down, I’ve kept tabs,” Reaves said. “I’ve watched a lot of their games really for [Max]. I want to see his growth and what he continues to do and he’s been playing really good basketball which isn’t surprising. I think everybody in the locker room knew the talent he was. And then seeing AD over there being AD, big goofball having a good time. I can’t wait to see him back on the court…Those two guys are really good friends of mine, and I want nothing but good things to happen to them. It was good to see him.”
Of course, Davis got hurt in his Mavericks debut and hasn’t played since, even though he did put up monster numbers in the minutes he played that night. Meanwhile, Christie has been excellent for the Mavericks, averaging 14.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists while knocking down 44.2% from 3-point range.
Hopefully Davis is able to return to the court soon and there is no doubt that Reaves and the rest of the Lakers will be rooting for him and Christie to have all of the success in the world, except of course, when they play each other.
In the matchup between the Lakers and Mavericks on Tuesday night, the team played a tribute video for both Anthony Davis and Max Christie. The one for Davis, in particular, stood out as he helped lead the Lakers to a championship in 2020 and LeBron James was happy to see the love and recognition he received on the night.
“I definitely saw it. I watched it from start to finish,” LeBron said of the Davis tribute video. “We know what AD was to this franchise and what he did for this franchise from the moment we got him to hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy to All-Star nods to winning the In-Season Tournament in the first inaugural In-Season Tournament and many, many dominant nights. Not only in this building but also on the road as well. Obviously our friendship goes without saying. He’s one of my best friends and it was great to see him get that recognition and get that moment.”
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Lakers’ LeBron James happy to see Anthony Davis showered with love in return to L.A.
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Analyst: Austin Reaves makes the Lakers championship contenders
With each game Luka Doncic logs as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, the optimism and excitement surrounding the team and its potential keep growing. The Lakers have won 15 of their last 19 games and hold a 35-21 record, and they’re just two games behind the Memphis Grizzlies, who are in second place in the Western Conference.
A growing number of people feel Los Angeles has what it takes to reach this season’s Western Conference Finals. After all, the team has two legitimate superstars in Doncic and LeBron James, as well as a solid cast of players around both future Hall of Famers.
But the Purple and Gold may now have a legitimate big three, given how much guard Austin Reaves has elevated his game this season. On Fox Sports 1’s “The Facility,” analyst Emmanuel Acho said that Reaves is the man who makes the team a championship contender.
“The sky is the limit. But to me, it’s not even about Luka exclusively nor LeBron,” Acho said. “To me, Austin Reaves is what makes the Lakers championship contenders cause I would suggest the Lakers have a big three.”
“… I would suggest the Lakers are legit championship contenders,” Acho added. “Because of Luka, check, because of LeBron, check. But now, you have a player who can carry the load over the first three quarters.”
The conventional wisdom in basketball as far as winning championships is that a team’s supporting cast and complementary players keep it in the game or get it a lead through three quarters, and its superstar closes the deal in crunch time.
That is how the Lakers operated on Tuesday versus the Dallas Mavericks. Reaves scored 20 points, with all of them coming in the first three quarters, while James only had 11 points during that span. But in the fourth quarter, the four-time MVP took over with 16 points and carried L.A. to a 107-99 victory.
On the season, Reaves is averaging 19.2 points and 6.1 assists a game, and so far in February, he’s putting up 23.5 points per game. As Acho pointed out, those are very strong numbers for a third option on a potential championship team.
NBA Champion, Ex-Pelicans Star Makes Massive Lakers Statement
Since trading for Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers have found themselves as championship contenders in a way that no one expected at the start of the season.
After defeating the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night, the Lakers convinced everyone that they’re for real, including former NBA champion and New Orleans Pelicans star Kendrick Perkins.
“LeBron, he’s in the GOAT conversation. Luka, we know, five-time All-NBA, but this man right here, Austin Reaves, has arrived,” Perkins said on ESPN. “19 points, four rebounds, six assists. He is unlocking a different version of the Lakers. JJ Redick has brought out a beast in him.”
.@KendrickPerkins’ BIG List of Best BIG 3’s 🗣️
Do ya’ll agree with the rankings? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/1ngEHU5mNH
Surprisingly, Perkis listed the Boston Celtics’ big three of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kirstaps Porzingis as the best big three in the NBA. He even placed them higher than LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves.
“You got Tatum, every single night, he’s flirting with a 30-point triple-double. Jaylen Brown, one of the best two-way players in the game. Kristaps Porzingis, he’s a unicorn for a reason,” Perkins said.
It remains to be seen just how good the Los Angeles Lakers can become with LeBron James and Luka Doncic on their roster. However, after dominating the Denver Nugget in a way that hasn’t been seen in years, the Lakers have made believers out of everyone. Watching LA face the Celtics, will be the next true test.
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12-year NBA veteran that’s covered the league on Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and ESPN
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