Why an undrafted sophomore is getting MVP chants
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- Опубликовано: 22 мар 2023
- Is Austin Reaves good or just a feel good story? After some huge games, he's been moved into the starting lineup during LA's climb up the Western Conference playoff race. This detailed film breakdown & scouting report explores how the Lakers second-year guard has exploded onto the scene recently with his craft, feel, size and ball-handling.
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Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
Stats courtesy:
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Music by csus (instrumental)
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Austin’s patience when attacking the basket is getting better. He’s like an all pro running back reading the defense and reacting to small crevices developing into big holes.
Couldn't put that in basketball terms my guy?? Lmao
@@tryhardfinessedyou do you make this same lame comment every time the running back comparison has been made to LeBron the past 18 years? Or Zion Williamson? You’re obviously not a true nba follower if that comment triggers you
@@hayorge27 he didn’t get triggered and also how could not liking a football comparison have anything to do with being a “true NBA follower”, like you are I guess
❤
Austin's patience can a bit too much sometimes. He has a tendency to overdribble and gets himself and the team into lot of trouble.
austin reaves got his own full video you love to see it reaves deserves all the praise he is getting rn with the way he has been playing recently
Knowing full well I might come off as bitter… he got a video because he’s on the lakers. Don’t get me wrong he has been fantastic but really? A 1 hour video after dropping 35 in a game?
Quick clarification, I’m talking about the 1 hour highlight from the nba’s RUclips channel
@@TiggySL 1 hour?
@@triptychlux 3 days ago, NBA’s official RUclips channel. “1 hour of Austin Reaves best careers highlights”
@@TiggySL that’s insane
@@TiggySL ; imo there are many fans who could benefit about appreciating the little things in basketball.
- Take Russell Westbrook, many NBA fans think that RW is one of the best point guards in the NBA. Why? Because RW is an entertainer & he always plays fast.
But RW has often padded his stats. RW has one of the lowest shooting percentages for a point guard overall and at 3 point range. Also RW is known to play terrible defense, have high turnovers and be a ball hog at the end of games.
Austin Reeves is getting attention by knowledgeable people, like in the video from this channel, because AR plays the right way. He’s unselfish, he’s in control, he tries on defense and he is a decent shooter.
An even better version of AR’s style is by Jrue Holiday who is an excellent but very underrated point guard.
Austin Reaves had a major improvement this season, he was one of the only people I liked on the Lakers last year, glad to see him thriving.
I didn't like anyone on the Lakers last year and I REALLY don't like anyone on the Lakers this year.
@@nocturne311 Not even Vanderbilt? He's awesome. I still respect your opinion.
@@nocturne311haterrrrr
@@bignoob24 I was making a joke. Haha. I actually respect the entire team. I'm just a dirty Celtics fan.
Ah ok
The best thing about Reaves is that he rarely makes mistakes and seems to always make the right decision in a split second. Such a smart player
Reminds me of dante divinchenzo. Not how they play, but just their consistency and fervour for the game. Mistakes are rare and they always show up to play in big moments
Yep. He won’t have the most upside, but he’ll make a bunch of little plays every game that move the needle toward a win and that is a big impact at the end of 48 min
Except when he turns the ball over getting it stolen on ball pressure
@@B.Piercesports everyone has turnovers. Question is how often..
I love how everyone is giving examples of white guys for being smart.
Austin Reaves showed his potential as a Rookie the first month of his career. He was more well rounded than all the veteran players on that AARP Lakers squad outside of Lebron and AD of course. I've been saying he would have a breakout season soon glad to see him get the attention he deserves
AARP LAKERS SQUAD😂
aarp lmao
AARP?
Austin Reaves is very talented and adaptable for any NBA team
The Lakers Exceptionalism Podcast has been saying that for more than a year, it's so great to watch Austin releasing the chains and become a legit NBA player. Love his basketball IQ and attitude, low-ego hard-work style.
Undrafted steal. I'll say one thing about the Lakers. Watching them over 32 years their scouting department finds great young talent. The Late first rounders and second rounders this team has had over the years, and undrafted players, and D league pick ups have been impressive. To name a few: Alex Carusso, Austin Reeves, Derek Fisher, Kyle Kuzma, Nick Van Excel, Jordan Clarkson, Vlade Divac. Elden Campbell, Thomas Bryant. I really hope the Lakers keep this guy. Losing Carusso hurt. This team rakes in more money than everyone but the Warriors and the Knicks. Spend some cash Jeannie.
I really think most any college power 5 conference player who averages 10+ppg is good enough to hold their own in the league. I'm not surprised many undrafted players have long careers. I don't think there's much talent difference between most of the drafted and undrafted players.
I'm a Knicks fan but as a kid I friggin loved Nick the quick.
Nick Van Exel was electric! ⚡
@@manager4409 your right, it is probably due to coaches favoritism that sees the so called better players excel in college
@@manager4409 I've seen so many players over the years get shafted by gate keeping coaches, or whatever politics are going on. I remember very vividly the Lakers drafting Brian Cook in the second round during their threepeat era. His rookie year he was out of shape and didn't play much. He lost weight over the summer and learned from how Robert Horry was succeeding in the triangle. He added a 3 point shot to his game. Phil Jackson was pissed at him in pre season every time that he shot. Phil would be yelling at him, and his shots were falling. By the time the season started Phil wouldn't put him in the game.
One night against the Warriors Horry got hurt and there was already some injured players on the roster and Cook had to be put in the game. Cook had like 18 points in the first half and like 4 out of 5 three point shots. Phil was pissed. The Lakers were up big and all of Cook's shots were wide open good shots. Post game interview Phil is talking about wanting to trade Cook and 2 weeks later he was shipped off to Orlando.
Cook could have been a real help to the team but Phil's fucking ego couldn't handle someone doing something that he couldn't conceive. That's why I think his budhist philosophy is bullshit.
One of the best NBA stories of the year
Perfect analysis of his offense us lakers fans been callin him a mini Luka😭🔥🔥 so happy to have our own foul merchant lol
Players and coaches love people like reaves. Scrappy, does the little things, but also has the guts to step up and cross the best player in the world. You need guys like him to win😊
Giannis can't play on ball tho so that was a good matchup
This video perfectly articulates just how good of a player Austin really is. His IQ and feel for the game are probably his best assets as it elevates everything he does. Love the pace and confidence he plays with but it really is the fact that he almost always does the right thing at the right time that makes him pretty special. Definitely reminds me of Bron in that regard. And the leap he’s taken this year is that he’s creating those moments more and more, not just finding them.
Well said!
Stop meat riding lmao. Bron makes a lot of bad plays
@@chauvintookaknee4blm268 "meat riding" lmao grow up. the point is that he mostly makes good ones, not exactly hard to understand genius. only a salty hater or an actual dumb fuck would say 'Bron makes a lot of bad plays'. He has one of the best bball IQs of all time.
Austin is having a solid year. But he isn't that good.
I remember in his rookie year, towards the end of the season, he threw a no look skip pass after surveying the floor for a few seconds. As soon as I saw that I knew this dude can ball. He missed a lot of layups that year too, but you could see the ideas were almost always right, just the execution needed slight adjustments. He did that, and now he's here.
I love these players that use basketball IQ, physicality, and fundamentals to help the team find success. Every roster needs a guy like this.
AR has brought so much to the lakers, makes me so happy.
Not expecting an Austin Reaves video but I’m so glad you made one!
He reminds me of Jeremy Lin...undrafted smaller guys and who suddenly started playing very well in his 2nd year in the league. Seeing Reave's highlights on sportcenter and online, I'm surprised he was undrafted. He must have really learned a lot while in the nba because his moves and composure are excellent.
edit: Got a couple responses to me calling Reaves 'smaller" and saying he's actually big. I specifically said "small" and not short. Reaves is the exact average height of SG from recent drafts at 6' 4.5 but he has a shorter wing span than the average SG and therefore he is 'smaller'.
he told teams to not draft him if he fell to the 2nd round so he could join the lakers
@@del46_60 That makes sense. He seems like he has that late 1st round or 2nd round potential.
That is an astute comparison, and I agree that Hillbilly Kobe does indeed have the sort of composure that Jeremy Lin demonstrated.
you think 6'5 is small for a guard? he's even hunched over a bit cause he's fairly tall for a guard, even in the nba.
He’s taller than you think
Love what this kid is doing for the Lakers.
Hope he stays
Love an underdog story. It's crazy how good he's getting each and every game. It's not like he's playing a small role. He's playing major minutes vs starters.
I love Reaves. So happy to have him on the Lakers. A true baller.
He’s really become a player worth studying for young point guards 💯
The timing on those Austin Powers clips is as impeccable as Austin Reeves' timing.
He’s thriving in the playoffs where mismatches are attacked and more basketball IQ is used
When there is a Thinking Basketball video analysing your game, you have made it at the NBA. Congrats AR15! 🎉😊
I remember watching him at Oklahoma and I thought he was talented but always forced things or tried to be the guy when he didn’t need to be. Surprised he’s become as good as he has. Good for him
that's when the vets comes to play, he has Lebron in his team, he even had Westbrook, Phil Handy
He had a recent game, forgot which, where the Lakers were behind and I think AD was out. AR tried to force baskets and his %s dropped like a rock. He's definitely not a first scoring option, not until he gets a level higher at 3pt or midrange while defended shooting.
@@beposfather Not Westbrick. But Lebron and Phil handy yes
@impressiveemu1259 agree on that!
College ball is deceptive at times because individual athletes may be great with basics and feel of the game that doesn't dominate games there. But in the NBA those skills among a veteran team with a strong system is well prized.
After his playoff run, I can say that almost every team in the league including the best teams would want him.
He doesn’t buckle under pressure like some would, and stays consistent with his regular season numbers in the playoffs. He literally plays like a many Kawhi who just does his job and then goes home. Idk how to describe it. But there’s certain players that always get their regular numbers and then go home. Kawhi, LeBron, Curry are examples of the top stats that get a lot of points consistently, and then Austin Reaves is getting lower numbers of course, but he’s very consistent with it. If Jordan Poole is worth 120 million Austin is worth 120 million minimum. -obviously that was an overpay by the warriors, but I think Austin Reaves is worth 60-100 million considering how consistent he is and how great his game iq is.
This is precisely the reason why I love Ben & Thinking Basketball so much. A 10 minute plus video on one of my favorite players and every second is so brilliant.
The absolute cojones to switch hunt a two time MVP as a bench player, you love to see it
Reaves and Vanderbilt is an interesting duo.
The thing I can’t get over is the lack of weaknesses. Low turnover guy, score at all three levels, makes the right play, can keep his dribble alive, not a mismatch on D (usually), very aware of all players at all times.
He puts a ton on the table, but doesn’t take much of anything off the table. Like a diet Mikal Bridges.
Lol i dont know about that comparison
Good comparison in terms of lack of weaknesses. However mikal certainly is way more gifted athletically and length wise, and elite on D
Well I did say diet for a reason but yeah maybe a diet haliburton or diet Pacers brogdon makes more sense than bridges
Eh his defense isn’t great, when guarding really good players like booker he isn’t amazing
He's if Alex Caruso could create his own shot
Love these breakdowns brother especially defensively. Keep them coming. Much success to you.
fitting channel name - you're the best basketball thinker on YT. You're very good at this.
I hope they keep everyone next season. But if I really had to choose, I'd pick Reeves over D'Lo.
About damn time he gets recognized
Great analysis and narration. You're a pro!
Nice video man. I have a below basics understandment of basketball and yet i enjoyed and understood what's going on here.
👌
Please comment on Mikal Bridges’s amazing play since being traded to the nets
It’s pretty clear as someone who has watched every lakers game, that Reeves actually tries to execute the game plan given to him. Most of the season the Lakers were letting the stars play too loose but Austin has always bought into the coaching and it has produced a potential 10 year career. Happy for him
Amazing video! Never under look the physical appearance. He is very talented
great video breakdown
He definitely has great basketball intelligence, ball handling, and court presence.-a true playmaker.
Reeves Teaming up with Bron is really a good opportunity for him
Also he always watch harden and tyoung on how they draw which is a bonus
I could see harden in there
Sometimes you put into words all the things that I think and can't translate, and then some that I never come up with and completely gloss over... your analyses are always a treat to enjoy.
Austin Reaves is my MVP! XD.
Great analysis!
an extremely high IQ player with good handles is one of the best things in basketball
He shows intelligence in everything he does. He accurately predicts how opponents are going to react to his fakes and takes advantage of that. I bet he was an excellent student back at school.
I think he can easily average +20 points and +6 assists as a starter if his usage rate doesn't drop.
so more like a budget-version of cp3
very good breakdown sir
Thanks for the vid
His stop/start play style mixed with his handle and deliberate patience makes him such a dynamic playmaker
Super dope vid Austin is coming into his own and we just Won a Chip in 2k today he knew exactly what his role was and it worked to perfection bro
I like the playstyle from Reeves. Just solid footwork in the paint. Looking like a veteran making these and one buckets off a classic up and under/fadeaway.
"Cross him back to Greece"😂1:27
Video on the other sophomore who’s third on the DPOY rankings? (Evan “the big ticket” mobley)
@Don't Read My Profile Picture ok
The Big Ticket? I thought we were talking about Evan Mobley, not Kevin Garnett.
he's made like 1-2 videos about mobley last year
@@nocturne311 mobley is kg reincarnated
@@drewchristmann7888 I doubt that. His post game is non-existent. Garnett was better in his second season. Maybe Mobley can learn to shoot the three consistently though
Everything he does on the court looks like a struggle but he pulls it off with savvy and hustle. He reminds me of the old Jackie Chan movies. He doesn’t make it look easy but he gets the job done.
Banger video 💪🏽
I'm not surprised with all the adjectives being thrown at him right now because he's used to hearing this in his high school and college years. Probly 80% performance from his previous peak back in the day!
I'm him - Austin Reaves
Please do one on Tyrese Halliburton’s passing 😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏
He’s been doing this since he was in college. I remember telling my dad that he would be a starter in the NBA 3 years ago. So glad to see he’s getting his own video.
yeah baby! 😂
great vid Ben
I watched austin reaves when he played at Oklahoma and loved him. He’s just such a smart player that knows how to use his skillls efficiently
No you didn't cause he was at ok st
Please do a mcdaniels one from the wolves
Nice video bro.i liked & subscribed. 👍🏿
I love every thinking basketball video about my lakers :)
Hopefully they keep this dude cause he's been balling out for the Lakers an keeping them afloat, not making the same mistake they did in not keeping Ruso.
While not as good of a defender as Caruso, he has a deeper offensive bag and game and has the potential to become that consistently healthy #3 guy to hold down the fort when Lebron or AD are down that the Lakers have been looking for that they hoped Westbrook would be (and clearly wasn't).
I’m pretty sure DLo is that #3
He is way better than Caruso because of his offensive.
I'm so glad you made a video about him. I've been watching him play since he became a laker and saw the potential he had. They need to invest in him tbh he could become an amazing player
Great video
Great great video
last season it was bron, monk, reaves and Melo, this young man is the second best playmaker on the team and he plays hard all the time that's why he's young but respected by his teammates
High IQ, fundamentally sound, humble player. Very refreshing to see these days. Need more players like this.
The kid is growing up before our eyes! Looks promising, best thing is this kid is able to learn from great players…give this kid a couple years wouldn’t surprise me to see him land and all nba team!
Great scouting work. Picking up 💎 diamonds
Dude is an elite point guard in the making. He may not be part of the talks between best PG in the league, but he will be in priority talks whenever he is on the trading block.
Personally, i'd bet Pop would let go of a lot to get someone of Reaves' playing style.
A whole video for him that’s crazy he’s really an industry plant
hes been steadily progressing for two years and because people notice his hard work he's a plant lol. stay mad
great video
Great vid and use of Austin Powers pun 😂!
He reminds me a lot of manu ginobili and can easily average 21+ points on some teams
Wow way to put a lot of pressure on him. But if he can have a career like Ginobli I will be very happy after all Ginobli is a Hall of Famer the next time they do the vote he should get in.
Man, this feels like Linsanity all over again. Love to see it! Hope his team doesn't do him dirty
Reaves is the perfect glue guy that great teams need. Glad he's getting more burn. He's earned it.
Austin is why I'm watching the Lakers again
Basketball IQ is the most foundational skill
I despise the Lakers, but I am rooting for Reaves. He plays with heart. Imagine if he could somehow inherit Ben Simmons' body and athleticism?
Great video! He's all you said he is!
6' 5" moving like a shorter guard. Quick and smart.
Hope the lakers doesn’t screw up like they did with Caruso 😢
"Cross him back to greece" was way more harsh then the crossover itself
This guy is crafty, you all probably have played against a player like AR. His moves look clumsy but actually hard to read. He plays physical too which is really likeable, I believe people will guard him tighter soon enough but he might have a deeper bag than everyone expects, let's see!
Great content btw!
The nba referee union will not be seeing heaven
Talking about refs is highly disrespectful and proves you didn't even watch the video you are commenting on. Reaves is a great ball-handler with high basketball-IQ, who gained a lot of confidence since Russ left and LeBron suffered an injury. That's a great story and people are just so toxic with those narratives and lies. Tell me one thing: why do the Suns cry for more FT's if they take 18 shots from the paint? Who goes to the basket in their current squad? Booker and? People who don't know game say BS like that. And don't appreciate players, who make winning plays like Austin Reaves.
😂
Woah .....woah .... And u got 72 likes which means there's more dummies than I thought. U ready to get ur pride hurt ? Cuz I'ma about to hurt ur feels and teach u a lesson. Hopefully u interpret what I'm about to tell u and if u wish to clap back nothing would make me happier. ( Plenty of ammo over from this Angel /white boy)
1st - for you to talk about who's getting into heaven or not tells me ALOT about ur arrogance and IQ 😢. DOING WAY TO MUCH. Wanna know why? I can tell u and all those likes have a lot of hate in ur heart and no love.
2nd - u still ready ? Cuz u losing bad and all those others. This is a secret and me doing u a favor! Careful on ur approach! If I were you !!! I'd be praying to whoever it is u pray 🙏 too. Cuz from this Angel point of view! U just like them refs and ain't seeing heaven. Actually u might not even get a second chance wit life . I'm sorry I hope u do better. I have more but I need to save it for ur arrogance to come back at meee bahaha. Lost this convo back Satan.
@@lxnny2357 😂- you know what's funny .. I bet u didn't graduate school. Or if you did I'd be surprised. Ur character is funny. Got me rolling over here. All u had was an emoji to speak for urself ? U sad dawg. I ain't surprised tho . Also let me help who... Never laugh at ur own sh** makes u seem weak. And no common sense.
White boy on 🔥🚒🔥.. anyone want it lmk.
The great white hope
That is/was Lauri Bird?
@@jlui21 2.0
I remember his moves in the late 90s he plays like larry bird keep up the good work im your avid fan...
can we get a knicks bench unit video already🥰 been playin podcast bingo enough, time to hit the jackpot
Because hes overrated, a Laker, and people view white roleplayers as "pets" and overhype them. All there is to it. Same thing happened to Caruso, McClung, and for a bit Matt Ryan. Its embarrassing and insulting
You're embarrassing and insulting, Reaves is a legit NBA player and Caruso was a starter on a Championship team and is still one of the league's best perimeter defenders. Nobody hyped McClung as a role player, he played BARELY 22 minutes in their uniform, so your statement is as dumb as possible. Matt Ryan hit one clutch 3 point and you're just here to be toxic and dumb.
He's the next Luka Doncic
I love the Austin powers clips for Austin reeves
LOL Great Thumbnail!
Thanks Ben
This is incredible for an undrafted player - we don't expect him to become a superstar, and he has FAR exceeded our initial expectations already. Please make sure we re-sign him!!
LMFAO 😂, was not expecting that @4:16
he's incredible!
That screen was fun to watch 1:52
Good analysis of Reaves’ game. He’s a heady player who’s just about always under control. He’s sort of a throwback, though I can’t put a finger on who he resembles. As stated, he has good guard height and agility, but small hands, not explosive and limited abilities. (This isn’t a knock: Luka is also “limited,” but he’s arguably the best PG in the league right now!) Yet he just about always makes good decisions. He and AD are a great duo! Who would have imagined? He’s definitely an argument for coming into the league at 22 or 23 rather than 19!