Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves identifies what he has learnt the most from LeBron James throughout their time together.

Austin Reaves is still relishing the experience of rising to NBA greatness alongside one of the game’s all-time greats. The Los Angeles Lakers guard, who is in his third season playing alongside LeBron James, thinks he is still learning from his renowned colleague.

Reaves focused on how meticulously the four-time NBA Finals MVP works on his game and takes care of his health when asked by JJ Redick on The Old Man and the Three for his takeaways from being around James on a daily basis since he entered the league in 2021-22.

“The main one is obviously just being a pro,” stated Reaves. “He was the first in the gym and the last to leave, his body of work—literally, his body of work—not many people can play this long.” Nobody has done it at this level before. He essentially lays out the blueprint for you; all you have to do is pay attention and apply it to yourself.”

Austin Reaves is following in the footsteps of LeBron James.

For more than a decade, James’ fitness and basketball training program has been legendary. You don’t become the all-time NBA leader in points scored and minutes played while staying one of the game’s top players into your late 30s unless you work on your craft constantly and meticulously.

But, as his 39th birthday approaches on December 30th, James’ exceptional athletic talent and physical attributes have always been the bedrocks of his success, only somewhat weakening in recent years. It’s his unwavering dedication to taking care of his body that has most influenced Reaves, who isn’t afraid to ask James questions about what it takes to reach The King’s rarified air—especially important for an under-recruited player who didn’t have access to the trainers that many of his peers did growing up.

“All I could think was, ‘So, your day is treatment?'” And he said, ‘Yeah, pretty much.’ I was like, ‘Alright, cool.’ “There you have it,” Reaves said, recalling a recent conversation with James. “He’s a professional who looks after himself. Where I grew up, I never had a basketball trainer, a trainer, or anything else. I did everything on my own and had no idea how crucial healing was. Nobody ever taught me that things; everything was brand new to me.

“Anything that he says that he does, s***, why not try it?” Reaves went on.

So far, that strategy has worked well for the erstwhile undrafted Oklahoma alum. After a breakout sophomore season, Reaves signed a four-year, $54 million contract with the Lakers last summer, and has emerged as the frontrunner for Sixth Man of the Year in 2023-24 after being relegated to the bench in early November. Los Angeles’ top players are LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but Reaves is the unquestioned and well-deserved third wheel.

Austin Reaves, who is only 25 years old, has yet to achieve his NBA peak. Don’t be surprised if it’s higher than you anticipate if he continues to follow James’ path.