Super excited about the arrival of JJ Redick, “ basketball genius ” according to him, Austin Reaves remains aware that the squad must be reshuffled during the off-season.
The Lakers guard also echoes his new coach's sentiment that the current team is not far from being able to compete for the title. “ Yeah, I totally agree. If you go back and look at the playoffs, the series against Denver, we led 70% of the time. “, judge Austin Reaves at Lakers Nation.
Exaggerating a little, even if the final score of the series (4-1) poorly reflects the difference in numerical level between the two teams: two-point defeats in Games 2 and 5, nine quarters won in total by the Nuggets against eight at the Lakers (with three ties)…
“ I've been asked a million questions about this series and every time I say I feel like we missed one. If you skip this series, you never know what will happen next. So yes, I have the impression that we are not far away and with a few elements brought here and there, we have the opportunity to do it », Continues the one who averaged 17 points in this series.
Relieve “AD” in defense
So what changes can be made? According to him, and based mainly on this lost series, the key is to find internal support for Anthony Davis.
“ We could have had a more physical pivot, especially when you come across someone like (Nikola) Jokic. You ask AD to do a lot of things offensively and defensively and he is capable of it. But if we could give him a little breathing room on defense on Jokic so he can be more focused on helping and making things more difficult when Jokic makes his first move, just by seeing AD on the baseline… »
By relieving Anthony Davis in defense, Austin Reaves is convinced that his teammate would have more energy in attack. He still averaged 28 points and nearly 16 rebounds against a “Joker” at the same statistical level. “ Regardless, he had an incredible series on both ends. But that's just the first thing that comes to mind », continues the full-back, thinking about this potential recruitment.
His idea indirectly targets the two pivots recruited last offseason, Christian Wood (still under contract) and Jaxson Hayes (“player option”), who have not really given any promise this season. Too light pivots?
