Despite Challenges, Reaves Stresses the Importance of Staying Confident

In the midst of the Los Angeles Lakers’ ongoing struggles, Austin Reaves has emerged as a consistent performer alongside stars Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Overcoming a sluggish start to the season, Reaves is now living up to the team’s expectations.

Despite his individual improvement, the Lakers suffered their fourth consecutive loss, falling to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. The team’s downward trajectory in 2024 has heightened the pressure to reverse the skid. However, Reaves remains steadfast in his commitment to focus solely on each game, emphasizing the need to contribute to a winning effort.

During a recent interview, Reaves acknowledged the challenges the team faces but emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. While the Lakers are currently in a tough stretch, Reaves expressed confidence that the team still believes in its abilities, despite the unfavorable outcomes.

“We’re losing. We shouldn’t be in a high state of mind right now,” Reaves admitted. “We’ve got to figure it out. But individually, if you look at how we’re playing, it’s not getting the job done. I feel like we’re still playing confident, just not winning games.”

Reaves stressed the significance of the Lakers not dwelling on past performances but instead focusing on the immediate task at hand. He reminded everyone that the team recently demonstrated dominance against some of the league’s top teams, a fact that should not be forgotten during this challenging period.

In addition to addressing the team’s overall performance, Reaves highlighted the need for improvement in the Lakers’ 3-point shooting. Recognizing the impact it can have on opening up opportunities for LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Reaves emphasized the importance of hitting perimeter shots and reducing turnovers.

“As a team, we have to shoot the 3 well. Once we start making 3s at a good percentage, everything will open up, especially for Bron and AD. We have to do our part in helping them out because they draw so much attention,” Reaves emphasized.

As the Lakers navigate their struggles, Reaves remains focused on the immediate challenge at hand, emphasizing the importance of a collective effort to turn the team’s fortunes around.