...and we have the new Horton-Tucker in Bronny James BUT I don't think the new Regime will revisit that faux pas.
AR has been the best SG (yes better than Ant and Booker) thus far this season, and it's not even close. Not bad for a 3rd option. As a bonus he seems to be a nice guy too.
But 3rd option on a championship team? This was the conversation for many last year “knowing” AR had reached his peak. Career capping for the win. I keep thinking about his agent’s words this summer “You have no Idea what’s coming this year. But keep on trying to trade AR for 2nd string centers.” Not really quotes … paraphrased. All the trade ideas without even first seeing him play this season in a career contract year, knowing he had to be better. And with his peanuts salary on top of it taking other assets with him to bring back someone “better” and of course already higher paid.
Unreal season from Austin so far. The efficiency, 3 level ability, and consistency... wild. Also might put up the sneakiest ppg out there. You'll think he's had a quiet game and he's already up to 21-22 points. As a #2 option, he's putting up better numbers than all star #1 options. Never thought that'd happen for him as a Laker. West standings are always so tight and flip daily but if we're a top 2-3 team, he's got to get the all star nod. All star game will also be in LA, even though it's at the Toilet Bowl, that might matter.
yeah, i thought he was capable of putting up numbers kind of like this (though, admittedly, not exactly like this!), but as the #1 focus of a team. this is why i didn't understand a) teams not pursuing him in RFA a couple years ago and b) teams not throwing a ton of trade offers at us the past couple of years, particularly pre-luka. i think if memphis offered us ja for reaves last year, rob would have thought about it, right? i think we still say no (i can remember most of us saying that on this forum), but other offers like that should have been incoming. whatever, our gain. if he gets a ring here, it will be such a great moment for fans.
Never thought he would be this amazing. Hopefully he stays healthy. The book on him is that you can wear him down physically so he needs to step up in that area
OK I’ll be first in with an attaboy for AR’s pedestrian only 33 tonight with 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 4 more 3s, 1 steal and a block. Tough crowd. Maybe I’m imagining it but he seems to still be getting stronger with still hitting the weights in season for gain, not just maintenance. In any event sure has helped take his game to this next level with having that added strength …. and he’s more explosive going through holes to the rim like a running back. Now am going to Jaxson’s thread and saying something similar.
We will be holding on to this guy. And rightly so. Austin has cranked it up to all star level play so far this year. I’ve been a fan all along but even I didn’t see this coming.
Some of my takes on Reaves two seasons ago, namely coming off the bench and maybe trading him - are laughable now. Guys taken another step - kudos!