- D’Angelo Russell says folks discredit AR because he’s white.
- Austin reveals his experience at AAU
- Reaves reflects on when he made the doubters look foolish
When it comes to the game of basketball (and many other stages of life), people often make their biggest assumptions based on outside characteristics. Race, skin color, and many other factors can lead to a bias on the court, and even during games, people can underestimate the best players for all the wrong reasons.
For Arkansas native Austin Reaves, he has experienced this bias first-hand growing up as a baller. And when his teammate D’Angelo Russell recently pointed that out, it finally gave fans the full picture of what it’s like for players like Austin at the highest levels of basketball.
“Killer. Killer. Oh my god [Austin Reaves] is a killer… He kind of always felt like ‘Yeah, I can do that. I’m built like that.’… They probably discredit him because of his skin color, but he got game.”
When asked to respond to the quote, Reaves didn’t deny the claim. In fact, he confirmed the experience and revealed how he got revenge on those who underestimate his game.
“I played one year of AAU and I’d get on the court,” Reaves said, via NBC Sports. “Then everyone would say ‘I got the white boy.’ And 3 or 4 possessions later, I’m giving them hell.”
At a glance, Austin Reaves doesn’t look too imposing on the hardwood but he’s torched enough teams by now to where everybody knows what he can do.
Reaves Signed 4-Year, $53 Million Contract With The Lakers
If there was any doubt of Reaves; importance to the Lakers, look no further than the massive contract he signed last month. As one of the team’s highest-paid players now, it’s clear that the Lakers value Reaves as one of their cornerstone players.
Of course, there are some who still don’t see it…
“Y’all giving it to him cause one he white and one he playing with the Lakers and they trash,” said former NBA player Rashad McCants. “So it’s like, if the Lakers ain’t trash, he ain’t playing.”
Needless to say, Reaves has price everyone wrong with his breakout performance and he more than earned his massive pay raise.
But now is where the hard work really begins for Austin. He’s on the scouting report now and he’ll have to maintain his strong play if he wants to stay in the fans’ good graces.
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