Austin Reaves’ rapid rise in the world of basketball reached its zenith during the previous season’s playoffs, particularly in Game 1 against the Memphis Grizzlies. This particular contest marked a watershed moment that forever altered Reaves’ relationship with the iconic LeBron James.
Over the last two seasons, Austin Reaves evolved from an undrafted rookie into a bona fide role player for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, for many casual NBA fans, his true talents were not fully appreciated until he took center stage on the national platform of the NBA Playoffs.
Game 1 against the Memphis Grizzlies in the opening round of the playoffs will forever be etched in Reaves’ memory for several compelling reasons. It was the day he introduced himself to the national audience, seizing the opportunity to redefine his connection with LeBron James for the better.
A recent profile penned by Mirin Fader of The Ringer delved into Reaves’ remarkable performance in Game 1 and how it took him by surprise. Reaves began contemplating the growth he could achieve while sharing the court with James and Davis. He pondered the profound trust placed in him by head coach Darvin Ham and his teammates, especially during critical playoff moments when they entrusted him with the ball.
One particular play from Game 1 stands out: Reaves sprinted to the corner after James received an outlet pass, only for James to instruct him to return and collect the ball. Reaves was momentarily bewildered, questioning why James, capable of dominating any opponent at any time, would choose to share the ball with him. He recalled, “My brain left the game for a second.” However, he quickly realized the need to make the most of the opportunity, allowing muscle memory to take over and delivering a flurry of crucial baskets.
Reaves shared an extended version of this story during an appearance on The Lowe Post podcast hosted by Zach Lowe of ESPN. Although there was no formal conversation between him and LeBron off the court, he always felt a deep connection based on their shared basketball IQ and unique understanding of the game. It was the standout fourth quarter performance during Game 1 against Memphis that highlighted their special synergy. Despite a challenging first half, Reaves found his rhythm and delivered an outstanding performance in the fourth quarter.
Reaves then went on to recall the series of plays, in quite a lengthy manner, of that fourth quarter that led to his “I’M HIM” moment. Fader described the moment with far brevity than Reaves, though he did note to Lowe that he “could tell the trust level was even more than what I knew it was at that point” following that playoff performance.
“There was no real conversation off the court or anything. I always knew that, from day one, we connected on that IQ level. Just thinking the game differently than other people do. The one that stood out for me was, it was in the playoffs, was Game 1 against Memphis when I had the really good fourth quarter. I struggled in the first half…and then got it going in the fourth.”
The day following Game 1’s heroics, during a film session, coach Phil Handy congratulated Reaves for his exceptional performance. However, what transpired next was particularly meaningful. Handy commended LeBron and Anthony Davis, remarking that he hadn’t seen them place such trust in another player for quite some time, especially during a pivotal moment. This moment further reinforced the significance of Reaves’ contributions to the team.
“I just remember the next day…we had film and Phil Handy congratulated me for the game that I had. But then he looked around and was just like ‘I just want to basically say to LeBron and AD, I haven’t seen ya’ll do that in a while. I haven’t seen ya’ll put ya’ll’s trust in another player like that. Especially in this big time moment. I just want to tip my hat to ya’ll.’ That was another point where I was like ‘Oh s—.’ Everything had kind of sunk in at that point.”
LeBron James is not known for easily relinquishing control of a team or a pivotal postseason game. Yet, circumstances and Reaves’ remarkable performance led to a unique shift in dynamics. Reaves had earned the right to have the ball in his hands during crucial moments, proving himself deserving of LeBron’s trust.
This pivotal moment held profound significance for many people, including LeBron and Reaves. It marked the beginning of a new era and hinted at a potential transformation in the team’s leadership dynamics, with Reaves emerging as a key player to watch and rely on in the future.
The legacy of that moment continues to pay significant dividends for the team, underlining Reaves’ transition from an up-and-coming Lakers role player to a bona fide star player. It set the stage for his extraordinary summer and heralded a promising future.