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Photo: Bronny James (Instagram) Bronny James , son of NBA legend LeBron James , is preparing for his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Picked 55th in the 2024 NBA Draft, Bronny has faced a lot of criticism, with some even calling him a bust after his early struggles in the Summer League. Despite the negativity, Bronny remains focused on improving and getting ready for the upcoming season. Playing alongside his father is a dream for him, even if his time on the court might be limited. He’s determined to work hard and let his progress show over time. Austin Reaves , one of Bronny’s Lakers teammates, recently defended him, highlighting the unfair expectations placed on him because of his famous dad. Photo: Bronny James (Instagram) “I can’t wait to see Bronny grow,” Reaves said. “People judge him based on his dad’s legacy, but he just wants to play, have fun, and create his own path. I’m excited to see him develop and make a career in his own way.” Bronny has always been in the sp...

Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers showcased unwavering confidence as he sunk a game-winning shot in double overtime, securing a 128-124 victory.  Despite facing a rollercoaster of momentum swings throughout the game, Reaves remained composed, delivering a stellar performance that left fans on the edge of their seats. Reaves' clutch play came after a series of ups and downs for both teams, with the Lakers rallying from behind multiple times to keep their hopes alive. Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves His game-winning shot not only sealed the win but also marked a career milestone, as Reaves notched his second triple-double with an impressive stat line of 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. Reflecting on his pivotal moment, Reaves expressed his love for high-pressure situations, emphasizing his willingness to take crucial shots regardless of the outcome.  AUSTIN REAVES HAS ICE IN HIS VEINS!!!!! pic.twitter.com/JiLDXMd0Ko — LakeShowYo (@Lake...

Photo: Instagram/Anthony Davis   The Los Angeles Lakers delivered a commanding 116-104 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who slipped to No. 2 in the Western Conference standings.  The victory rejuvenates the Lakers' playoff aspirations and sets the stage for a pivotal stretch in their season. Coach Darvin Ham emphasized the urgency, stating, "We understand time is of the essence, and we've got to get busy in order to do what we're trying to do." The Lakers showcased defensive prowess with LeBron James , Austin Reaves , Anthony Davis , and D’Angelo Russell making impactful plays on both ends of the court. Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves   Despite a challenging start against the Thunder, the Lakers mounted a remarkable defensive effort, limiting Oklahoma City to only 23 points over the next 17 minutes. D’Angelo Russell's clutch three-pointers sealed the victory, emphasizing the Lakers' defensive resilience. LeBron James, named conference player of the ...

Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves Overcoming the absence of star players LeBron James and Anthony Davis , the Los Angeles Lakers secured a notable victory against the Boston Celtics in a surprising turn of events. Austin Reaves emerged as the hero of the night, scoring an impressive 32 points, including a career-high seven three-pointers, leading the Lakers to a 114-105 win over the Celtics. Reaves' stellar performance kept the Lakers ahead throughout the game, thwarting every attempt by the Celtics to close the gap at TD Garden. Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves With this triumph, Reaves has accumulated an impressive 60 points over his last two games, solidifying his status as a key player for the Lakers. Despite trade rumors circulating ahead of the Feb. 8 deadline, Reaves' recent standout performances have made it clear that the Lakers have no intention of parting ways with the third-year guard. Austin Reaves hoists from DEEP 😲 28 PTS 7 3PM (career high) Lakers-Celtics on TNT p...

Photo: Instagram/LeBron James In a heated match between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns, LeBron James was controversially granted a critical timeout on a loose ball, securing a Lakers win and eliminating the Suns from the NBA's in-season tournament.  The disputed call occurred in the final moments, sparking debates over officiating fairness. Lakers shouldn't have been granted a timeout as the ball was loose pic.twitter.com/JYhzxG3P0n — Oh no he didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) December 6, 2023 Crew chief Josh Tiven defended the decision, citing slow-motion video replay showing Austin Reaves ' apparent control of the ball.  However, Suns players, including Devin Booker , expressed frustration, emphasizing the need for a fair chance in crucial game situations. Devin Booker's Instagram story... pic.twitter.com/t0saipHexf — HoopsHype (@hoopshype) December 6, 2023 The Lakers' advancement to the semifinals and the Suns' elimination added more drama t...

Photo: Instagram/LeBron James LeBron James , the prominent figure of the Los Angeles Lakers, utilized Instagram as a platform to applaud both Austin Reaves , his fellow Lakers teammate, and Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers guard, for a remarkable Team USA photograph. Expressing his admiration for Team USA's endeavors in preparation for the upcoming FIBA World Cup, James was particularly thrilled by the exuberant display put forth by Austin Reaves and Tyrese Haliburton following their triumphant closure against Team Germany in an exhibition match. This event prompted James to take to social media and acknowledge the two promising young athletes. The captivating image captured Tyrese Haliburton's exultant reaction as Austin Reaves executed a powerful slam dunk that effectively concluded Team USA's victory over Germany. "Y'all TOUGH this one!!!" LeBron on Tyrese Haliburton's celebration of Austin Reaves' game-sealing dunk vs. Germany 😂 (via @KingJam...

Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves Austin Reaves made a bold decision that paid off immensely for him in the end.  During the 2021 NBA Draft, he intentionally chose to go un-drafted, with a clear purpose in mind - to join the Los Angeles Lakers for the platform they could offer. Many players opt for more lucrative deals, but Reaves believed that being in the right environment was crucial for his long-term success.  By betting on himself and turning down potential second-round selections, Reaves sent a clear message to teams that he had his sights set on the Lakers all along. He recognized the unique opportunity to be part of a team with a massive platform in the NBA.  Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves Despite the chance to make immediate money, Reaves wisely understood that going to the wrong team could hurt his future prospects. Thus, he stood firm in his decision to head to LA, where he believed he could thrive.  Choosing to forego the draft and join the Lakers as an un...

Photo: Instagram/Jalen Hood-Schifino The Los Angeles Lakers made a surprising move in the 2023 NBA Draft by selecting Jalen Hood-Schifino , a combo guard from Indiana University, with the 17th pick. Given the team's already guard-heavy roster, some were taken aback by this decision. However, reports indicate that the Lakers have expressed interest in retaining both Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell , who are currently free agents, along with Dennis Schroder . League sources reveal that the Lakers had their sights set on Hood-Schifino and Kobe Bufkin as their top targets in the draft. Unfortunately, the Atlanta Hawks nabbed Bufkin with the 15th overall pick, just two selections before the Lakers' turn. The team viewed both guards as potential replacements for Reaves, in case his restricted free agency demands a contract that the Lakers are unable to match. Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves Reaves, who is set to enter restricted free agency for the first time, has garnered a...

Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves Spencer Reaves , the brother of Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves , took to Twitter to address a recent rumor suggesting that Austin had been seen with renowned singer-songwriter Taylor Swift at a bar in Arkansas. Considering that Austin attended high school in Arkansas, it's possible that this connection sparked the speculation. However, Spencer Reaves appeared unconvinced that his brother was involved with the 12-time Grammy Award winner, especially given that Swift is recently single. The fact that such rumors are circulating demonstrates the increasing prominence of Austin Reaves within the Lakers organization, as he has rapidly become a recognizable name across the NBA. Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves As Austin approaches restricted free agency this offseason, many expect him to receive a substantial contract offer, potentially reaching a maximum deal of around $100 million over four years. Several insiders within the league believe he has ...

Photo: Instagram/Kyrie Irving Speculation is swirling around the Los Angeles Lakers as they face the possibility of elimination with a 3-0 deficit in the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets . Brian Windhorst of ESPN recently hinted at a potential scenario where the Lakers could acquire Kyrie Irving in free agency while retaining Austin Reaves . During an appearance on The Hoop Collective podcast, Windhorst explained that some maneuvering and negotiation would be required, such as Irving accepting less than the maximum salary or working out a deal with the Dallas Mavericks . Photo: Instagram/Kyrie Irving and his daughter Azurie Elizabeth.   Securing Irving's services would come with risks for the Lakers, potentially reverting them to a top-heavy team similar to their previous setup. However, the Lakers made significant strides mid-season with the addition of depth players like Jarred Vanderbilt and Rui Hachimura , which Windhorst acknowledged during the podcast....

Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves Recently, a 2012 Facebook post from Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves about his current teammate LeBron James resurfaced. The post featured a picture of Kobe Bryant with the caption, “When I need some peace and quiet I set my phone to LeBron mode, no ring.” Reaves, who was only 13 years old when he made the post, knew he had to clear the air with James. Reaves approached James and said, “Look, I was s----ing on you back in 2012. Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves is a versatile guard who can score, pass, and defend. He has drawn praise for his work ethic and basketball IQ. I was a Kobe fan.” James reportedly laughed it off, indicating that there were no hard feelings between the two teammates. Despite the old Facebook post, Reaves has become a sensation during the postseason. In Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies , Reaves scored 23 points and shouted, “I’m him.” James later complimented Reaves, saying that he knew...

Photo: Instagram/LeBron James  LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers had a remarkable performance during their recent game against the Utah Jazz , which resulted in an overtime win. Despite easing into a full workload since his return from injury, James displayed NBA Playoffs form, scoring 37 points on 14-of-27 shooting from the field. This win propelled the Lakers ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans , placing them in seventh place in the Western Conference standings. Photo: Instagram/LeBron James  Following the game, James was asked how the increased playing time would affect him during their upcoming back-to-back game against the Los Angeles Clippers . In response, James gave a lighthearted and honest answer, saying he planned on putting his feet in an ice bucket to recover. ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk tweeted the statement. The Lakers and the Clippers are currently tied at 41-38 and trail the Golden State Warriors by half a game. This presents a golden opportunity for the Lakers...

Photo: Instagram/Alex Caruso  According to The Athletic 's Jovan Buha , the Los Angeles Lakers may be facing another potential Alex Caruso situation with Austin Reaves and his upcoming free agency. The Lakers famously underpaid Caruso in free agency, offering him less than $15 million over two years, which he refused and instead signed a $37 million deal with the Bulls, drawing criticism to the Lakers' negotiation tactics. The hope is that the Lakers will not repeat this mistake with Reaves, a versatile player with a high IQ who has been an asset to the team. Photo: Instagram/Alex Caruso  Buha believes that Reaves is similar to D'Angelo Russell in that there is mutual interest on both sides. However, there may be several suitors for Reaves, which could lead to another Caruso-like situation. If the Lakers try to get too creative with their offer or negotiations, Reaves could potentially leave and sign with another team that would offer him the full non-taxpayer mid-le...

Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves  In a crucial game for their playoff hopes, the Los Angeles Lakers came away with a 111-105 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday night. Although the Lakers got off to a slow start, they were able to turn things around thanks in large part to the play of Austin Reaves , who set a career-high with 35 points. Despite early 3-pointers by Wendell Carter Jr . and Paolo Banchero giving the Magic an early lead, the Lakers were able to battle back and take the lead by the end of the first quarter. Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves  Reaves, who was the first player off the bench, provided an immediate spark for the Lakers with back-to-back buckets. The Lakers continued to build their lead in the second quarter thanks to Reaves and D'Angelo Russell , who hit back-to-back triples. However, the Magic responded with a 12-0 run to cut the deficit down to four before Reaves once again came in and helped restore order for the Lakers. In the third quarter, the...

Photo: Instagram/D'Angelo Russell  After being sidelined for the Los Angeles Lakers' last six games due to injury, D'Angelo Russell made a fiery return against the Toronto Raptors. Despite his absence, Russell's confidence was apparent in his performance as he led the Lakers to a 122-112 win, scoring 28 points, grabbing five rebounds, and providing nine assists. Russell's impressive display was enough to counter the big performances of the Raptors' Scottie Barnes and OG Anunoby who scored 32 and 31 points, respectively. Photo: Instagram/D'Angelo Russell  In addition to Russell, Dennis Schroder , Austin Reaves , Rui Hachimura , and Jarred Vanderbilt also played well, helping the Lakers secure their second straight win. Following the game, Russell made it clear that his confidence remained high and he was ready to explode and have a good run prior to his injury. He even went as far as to suggest that their last six opponents were lucky that he was sidelined....

Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves  Austin Reaves received his first technical foul of his career on Sunday after an altercation with Josh Green. Reaves has become a cult hero amongst the Lakers fanbase due to his competitive personality, but he is not known for his emotional outbursts on the court. Reaves and Green’s exchange was worthy of a first technical, even though it resulted in a double technical. Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves  Jovan Buha of The Athletic was able to provide the actual words exchanged between the two players. When asked about the altercation in the locker room after the game, Reaves didn't confirm what he said but had a playful exchange with reporters. He couldn't remember what he said with a big smirk on his face.  Reaves had the last laugh over Green, making big plays down the stretch while Green was subbed out and didn't play again. It was a typical day for Reaves who has made a habit of having big moments in Dallas. He showed up for work, fended o...

Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves  The Los Angeles Lakers have recently acquired Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards and are looking for ways to improve their roster for the playoffs. Austin Reaves, who is set to make a return from a hamstring injury this week, was sought after by the Brooklyn Nets to be part of a trade for Kyrie Irving. However, the Lakers made it clear that Reaves and Max Christie would not be part of the trade package for Irving. In the end, Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, and Reaves remained with the Lakers. Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves  Reaves spoke to Jovan Buha of The Athletic about how much it meant to him to be kept by the Lakers. Reaves has shown significant improvement in his second year with the Lakers, averaging nearly 11 points and shooting 90% from the free-throw line. This performance is expected to lead to a solid payday in free agency this summer. Reaves has been an important part of the Lakers' rotation with his perimeter sho...