Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has embraced the role of the underdog throughout his career, a mindset that has fueled his remarkable breakout season, one that has admittedly surprised some observers. However, Reaves is keenly aware of the stereotypes that can accompany his identity as a white player in the NBA, a sentiment he candidly shared with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
“You know, as a white guy in the NBA, I sometimes look at white players, and I’m like, ‘They’re not very good,'” Reaves admitted to ESPN. “So, it’s a stigma that I think is real.”
Los Angeles Lakers’ Austin Reaves Talks White Player Stigma
These stereotypes often include assumptions of being limited to shooting, lacking athleticism or size, and possessing a generally passive demeanor. While Reaves is indeed a capable shooter, his game is characterized by a crafty versatility. He demonstrates an ability to penetrate to the rim effectively, possesses quality ball-handling skills, and can skillfully manipulate opposing defenses.
One of Reaves’s earliest and most prominent supporters has been LeBron James. James explained that even when the Lakers initially drafted Reaves, the potential that is now evident was already apparent to him.
“I saw that early, man,” James told ESPN. “When we picked him up, I went back and started watching his Oklahoma highlights and stuff and seeing the way he could handle the ball and his creative [side], to be able to create shots off the bounce. His competitive fire, his drive. … I could see it. I could see he had a spirit about him. He had an energy about him.”
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This support extends to even the newest members of the team. Reaves himself has spoken about the burgeoning trust he shares with both James and Luka Doncic, suggesting the formation of a new formidable Lakers Big 3. Interestingly, Doncic had recognized Reaves’s talent even before they became teammates. Once they joined forces with the Lakers, a particular game solidified Doncic’s high regard for Reaves.
“Basketball-wise, I already knew he was that good. But just being around it and seeing him do that, it was [a] higher [realization],” Doncic told ESPN, recalling Reaves’s career-high 45-point performance in a victory over the Pacers shortly after the trade deadline. “I mean, the expectation is that high. I think he has the potential to be an amazing player. He already is.”
Reaves has consistently exceeded expectations, posting career-high numbers in nearly every statistical category this season. However, his overall impact transcends mere statistics. As the final games of the season approach, the Lakers will undoubtedly rely on Reaves’s inherent underdog strength and multifaceted game to be a crucial difference-maker.