Reaves has been playing like a borderline All Star since the break. If he can sustain it all next year that would be a nice, not unrealistic progression.
The real thing of interest would be if he can get stronger and use that to improve defensively. Becoming more two-way takes him to bonnafide All-Star. _________________ The King, the Don and the Daddy walk into the arena...
It's hard to believe AR has been the best shotmaker on a team with Luka.
Degree of difficulty. Reaves is getting the highest percentage shot. He's maximizing his skill level and abilities. Works hard. Is a great example of a player with limited NBA level athleticism, who has gotten as much as anyone can possibly get out of that. His IQ has always been really good. There was a reason Vogel even started him as undrafted rookie. He had a lot of IQ and ability to pick up things from day 1.
Now he's added better shots at the rim, he's a much more assertive 3 point shooter, his decision making as a PG/ballhandler have all gone up.
All that said, I don't think teams gear their defense to stop him like they do Luka. Luka has to face the focus of the opposing team's defense as does Lebron. That allows a lot of freedom for Reaves to come in as a secondary attacker and go off.
Wish we had 2 elite defenders next to AR/Luka/Lebron, but maybe next season. I do think we can win with this team if the match ups are right and coaching adjustments in series are good. I just worry about the lack of defensive length to challenge shots at the perimeter and speed we have with this current core. We tend to rely a lot on small ball going well and teams shooting poorly from 3 to win us games. A team that is well coached with size and ability to shoot the 3 well can hurt us big time defensively. We'll probably have to rely on Reaves, Luka and Lebron all going off like all-stars to win in those situations.
Wish we had 2 elite defenders next to AR/Luka/Lebron, but maybe next season.
Minor tweak: 1 elite defensive 2-way (especially needed for when Lebron retires), and the second can be a pure elite defender, but ideally also a 2-way.
Interesting how AR, here, largely goes from the doghouse to hero in two days. _________________ Hey Doge, ever hear of “measure twice, cut once?” It is not cut first and measure later.
His defense has improved so much. I remember when we'd be worried with AR having to guard someone like SGA, but today it felt right. Teams may still hunt him, but they'd be making a mistake.
If I may point a small issue: it was AR's offense. The perimeter defense of the Thunder expectedly did bother AR to a certain extent. He had a good game because he is a good offensive player but if there is one guy the Thunder's defense can definitely impact, it is AR. We need to be aware of this and make it easier for him
His defense has improved so much. I remember when we'd be worried with AR having to guard someone like SGA, but today it felt right. Teams may still hunt him, but they'd be making a mistake.
That's what made last year so bizarre, I remember returning to the team in '23 post-Westbrook trade (because ew) and thinking Reaves was quite solid defensively. Maybe it was the focus on offense off the momentum of FIBA, not sure. Like you can target Austin, but he'll win enough battles to not totally sink you defensively
His defense has improved so much. I remember when we'd be worried with AR having to guard someone like SGA, but today it felt right. Teams may still hunt him, but they'd be making a mistake.
That's what made last year so bizarre, I remember returning to the team in '23 post-Westbrook trade (because ew) and thinking Reaves was quite solid defensively. Maybe it was the focus on offense off the momentum of FIBA, not sure. Like you can target Austin, but he'll win enough battles to not totally sink you defensively
Play in. Deep playoff run. Fiba world cup. No rest.
Joined: 07 May 2014 Posts: 15530 Location: Boulder ;)
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 4:42 pm Post subject:
TMG wrote:
tox wrote:
Theseus wrote:
His defense has improved so much. I remember when we'd be worried with AR having to guard someone like SGA, but today it felt right. Teams may still hunt him, but they'd be making a mistake.
That's what made last year so bizarre, I remember returning to the team in '23 post-Westbrook trade (because ew) and thinking Reaves was quite solid defensively. Maybe it was the focus on offense off the momentum of FIBA, not sure. Like you can target Austin, but he'll win enough battles to not totally sink you defensively
Play in. Deep playoff run. Fiba world cup. No rest.
>>^^2023 NBA In-Season Tournament Champion
_________________ ...only one who has tamed himself can get there.”
His defense has improved so much. I remember when we'd be worried with AR having to guard someone like SGA, but today it felt right. Teams may still hunt him, but they'd be making a mistake.
That's what made last year so bizarre, I remember returning to the team in '23 post-Westbrook trade (because ew) and thinking Reaves was quite solid defensively. Maybe it was the focus on offense off the momentum of FIBA, not sure. Like you can target Austin, but he'll win enough battles to not totally sink you defensively
Play in. Deep playoff run. Fiba world cup. No rest.
The world cup was like 8 games and half weren't even competitive. He was getting targeted there and it carried over into the season. Glad he's been able to bounce back and be serviceable or better on most nights which is all he really needs when his offense is on. _________________ It was reminiscent of one of those Most Interesting Man in the World advertisements: "I don't always shoot 6-for-28 from the field, but when I do, I become the youngest player in league history to score 28,000 career points."
Now don't (bleep) & moan when the Lakers give AR the whole bag in 27. _________________ On Lakersground, a concern troll is someone who is a fan of another team, but pretends to be a Lakers fan with "concerns".
Now don't (bleep) & moan when the Lakers give AR the whole bag in 27.
Jalen Williams. 21/5/5
23 years old.
So SGA, AR & JW would be bad together? _________________ On Lakersground, a concern troll is someone who is a fan of another team, but pretends to be a Lakers fan with "concerns".
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