The Los Angeles Lakers are struggling right now, but Austin Reaves remains confident about the team’s chances to compete for an NBA title.
Even though the Lakers are only 2-6 since winning the In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas, Reaves thinks the group can beat any team in the NBA.
This is a bold statement from Reaves considering the Lakers are only 16-15 on the season. While Los Angeles did beat the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 23, the team hasn’t beaten some of the other elite clubs in the NBA like the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves or Miami Heat.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Reaves, who comes off the bench for the Lakers, is averaging 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season while shooting 47.7% from the field, 36.8% from beyond the arc and 88.0% from the free-throw line.
Lakers superstar LeBron James believes his group isn’t where it wants to be against the top teams. Los Angeles hasn’t been fully healthy once this season.
“I don’t think we’re healthy right now,” LeBron said. “I don’t think we’re where we want to be to compete against the top teams until we continue to get better and better, continue to work our habits. And for us, we’re still trying to figure our situation out as far as how we want to continue to attack each game. But, we’ll be better.”
One NBA scout told NBA Analysis Network that the Lakers should start Reaves, Taurean Prince, Rui Hachimura, LeBron and Anthony Davis. Head coach Darvin Ham has started a bizarre lineup of LeBron, Prince, Cam Reddish, Jarred Vanderbilt and Davis in the last two games.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Through 18 minutes over two games, the Lakers’ new starting lineup has a 105.0 offensive rating, a 125.0 defensive rating and a minus-20.0 net rating.
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