Austin Reaves Discussion: Overachiever Who Underachieved

a lot of those finishes, though impressive, are unlikely to translate--though i like his ability to take contact and still finish. but his handle and vision are near pg quality, which is great at 6'5". love what his coach had to say about him, as kruger has seen plenty of nba players, and he seemed to think very highly of reaves.

hopefully he can get some burn in blowouts.

 

Sounds gifable, but rookies get no love here until thy prove themselves first.

good luck rook

 

original hillbilly kobe was solid.

 

I’m not ready to call anyone anything with the word Kobe or Mamba in it yet. Too many people nowadays are playing fast and loose with Kobe and Mamba comparisons. Reeves is gonna have to prove it. Hope he does though.

 

Seems to me though no one’s asking … there shouldn’t be periods in there. Since hillbilly is one word either HbK or just HK would be cleaner and make more sense.

 

The grammarian in me approves of this post.

I think Reaves did say they called him HBK at Oklahoma in his presser, but he didn’t elaborate whether the B was upper or lower case. This is an important distinction that the press should press him on.

 

Dude shot 45% from 3 first two years in college as primarily catch and shoot open looks 2 guard. Sheeeoooot!!!!

 

I don't like the nickname. Come on, we better than that. I was a bit confused about the signing because that low three-point percentage stood out to me. But after further analyzing his stats and seeing that he is a phenomenal free throw shooter, and a high volume free throw shooter at that, I'm starting to get pumped up about Reeves. Also, saw his 41 point game with game-winner ain college, and that game-winner in summer league. This guy is clutch, and will likely improve from three. He hit 41% of his open wide-open threes in college last season, which is very good. His low 31% percentage from deep was likely a result of the emphasis opposing defenses put on him. Good find, this kid is destined for success.

 

I think its important to mention that this was a nickname given to him during college. Its not something our media guys gave him.

 

Absolutely. He talked about yesterday in his presser. Go to 1:45 or so:

 

I like that his arms look like mine.

I like that for me.

 

Will never get the mileage out of it we did with the Bald Eagle and just the Eagle. Anyone remember Eddie the Eagle? British Olympic ski jumper and first from England 1988.

Edit. @TIME … not to say it’s not a good nickname. The Eagle just had so much visual stuff to play with, with the actual birds of course and the bald jokes and all here at LB. I hope it sticks actually with initials, knowing there’s the meaning to them, amongst his teammates in the league. HbK or HK is quick. “Hillbilly Kobe” said or written often ….. not so much and kind of awkward, and unfortunately writers and interviewers will waay overdue it with Austin and that will be doing him no favors …. IMO.

 

How about Baby West or Baby Clutch? Or something of that sort. Nah, too corny. I use the West comparison in terms of his sweet midrange jumper (and clutchness) though he has proved absolutely nothing so far in the NBA lol. The eagle nickname was awesome.