The Los Angeles Lakers showed tremendous heart and maturity while pulling off a strong win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sophomore guard Austin Reaves is becoming a stronger leader with every game, as evidenced by Reaves directing Max Christie on a play the same way LeBron James did to him as a rookie. Fans loved seeing this and flooded Twitter with reactions.
Austin Reaves is a vet by now 😂
(h/t @MANOMAGlC) pic.twitter.com/TUIumRRZ7T
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 2, 2023
A fan complimented Reaves for stepping up in LeBron’s absence, “Reeves is picking up the (crown) when the King ain’t around.”
https://twitter.com/OmarV62312/status/1631148013178732544
Another fan praised Reaves and the team for their gritty performance, “AR-15 and company with a great team win tonight.”
AR-15 and company with a great team win tonight.
— Steve (@DODoubleB) March 2, 2023
LeBron James may have a new favorite young player and a fan wants to see them play together until James retires, “I love Austin Reaves. I hope he will be with LeBron until LeBron’s retirement season.”
I love Austin Reaves. I hope he will be with LeBron until LeBron’s retirement season.
— Irene Concha (@sassy_irene25) March 2, 2023
One fan pointed out how quickly things have changed, “Life comes at you fast.”
https://twitter.com/imextragramsam/status/1631212291000524800
A particular Lakers fan didn’t seem impressed at all, “Every player in the NBA including the water boy gives players advice. Spare me.”
Every player in the NBA including the water boy gives players advice. Spare me
— AK (@Thegift510) March 2, 2023
One fan brought up a Spiderman reference, “Peter Parker and Miles Morales!”
Peter Parker and Miles morales!!
— Shitiz gupta (@Imshitiz) March 2, 2023
A fan theorized how the Lakers would look if they still had Alex Caruso alongside Reaves and LeBron, “Just imagine if they kept Caruso and had him and Reaves. Also, this pic from last year with the GOAT and Austin is still damn priceless.”
Just imagine if they kept Caruso and had him and Reaves. Also this pic from last year with the GOAT and Austin is still damn priceless. https://t.co/x1G3BLJ8tn
— Zach (@zat_thomas) March 2, 2023
Austin Reaves’ 19-point game was crucial in the win and this fan highlighted that by giving him high praise, “19-4-1 5-5 from the field, 8-9 from the line. I am THE Austin Reaves stan! Baddest mofo on the Lakers.”
19-4-1 5-5 from the field 8-9 from the line im am THE Austin Reaves stan! Baddest mofo on the Lakers. https://t.co/a4VKZNkhPe
— Hanson Johnson (@headasshanson) March 2, 2023
Given the fact that the Lakers were playing without LeBron, Anthony Davis, and D’Angelo Russell, it was good to see Reaves emerge as a leader. After all, he’s one of the only members on the roster that played last year. He doesn’t want to miss the playoffs for a franchise like LA again, and his 19-point performance on 100% shooting showed he can step up when needed.
Role Players Stepping Up For The Lakers
After a big performance from Jarred Vanderbilt in a win over the Mavericks, which came after a 25-point outburst by Malik Beasley in a previous win, the Lakers have proven depth could be their route to success. Having a versatile roster helped them pull this win off even when their best players were nursing injuries.
Contributions like the one the Lakers got from Dennis Schroder today further prove that the roster has players that’ll step up when needed. Will it be enough to win a title? Probably not. However, it may be exactly what they need to tread water before they have their fully healthy starting lineup back with LeBron.
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