The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the best offensive teams in the NBA so far this season. In fact, they have the seventh-best offense in the league. A big reason for their success offensively has been the improvement of Austin Reaves.
With LeBron James missing the first month of the season, Reaves was afforded an opportunity to operate with the ball in his hands more. A full offseason with Luka Doncic has helped him put up the best stats in his career. In fact, his stats are better across the board from what they were a year ago.
Lakers coach JJ Redick believes that Reaves should be recognized as one of the best players in the league. He believes that Reaves should be an All-Star, and he started stumping for his players while talking to the media at practice.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves celebrates. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Lakers Coach JJ Redick Thinks Austin Reaves is an All-Star
Redick believes that Reaves has done more than enough to earn an All-Star nod in the new format.
“It would mean a whole lot to him. He and I have had discussions about how surreal it is for him to be playing at this level and in this position. I obviously absolutely think he should be an All-Star this year.”
Redick continued to heap praise on Reaves.
“I think he’s the type of player who consistently wants to get better, consistently wants more, is willing to put in the work, and is willing to go out on the court and play hard enough to actually go for it. And he has proven that over and over again.”
Reaves has missed the last few games with a calf strain. Despite that, Reaves is getting closer to returning to the court and would love to represent the Lakers at the All-Star game. The All-Star game is in Los Angeles this year, being held in the Intuit Dome.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick looks on during a game. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
JJ Redick Validates Lakers’ Austin Reaves’ Improvement
Redick is pleased with what he has seen from Reaves so far this year and continues to believe that he deserves a chance to be an All-Star.
“Our first conversation when I took the job was, ‘You’re going to be an All-Star.’ By the way, I’m not going to every player and saying that. Like, I actually said it because I believed it.”
Redick looks like he will be proven correct with that statement. Reaves has the best offensive rating and net rating of his career so far. The Lakers will need for him to return healthy and continue to be a great player for them to do something in the playoffs.
The Lakers are looking to have a better postseason showing than they did a year ago when they were eliminated in just five games. Redick wants his team to remember that feeling. Reaves, Doncic, and James are three tough guys to stop, though.
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