LOS ANGELES – When Los Angeles Lakers commerce D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets final month, that meant Austin Reaves was formally the full-time start line guard. This determination was made clear when Lakers head coach JJ Redick moved Russell to the bench initially of the season. However the trade dispelled any remaining doubts. By Reaves himself admits he is studying his new function on the fly. That comes with a studying curve, together with a rise in turnovers, however Redick is not too involved about that a part of Austin Reaves’ sport as a consequence of LeBron James.
Forward of the Lakers’ sport towards the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, which marked Russell’s first sport as an opponent because the commerce, JJ Redick acknowledged why LeBron James is the rationale he isn’t alarmed by the fluctuating variety of Austin Reaves turnovers.
“I believe it’s a must to be keen to dwell with some turnovers with Austin as a result of he performs at a sure tempo, and he is like LeBron, keen to make daring and troublesome passes typically. That is a part of what makes him these guys nice shot creators,” Redick mentioned. “There’s no noticeable distinction when it comes to enjoying type with him.”
One factor Redick acknowledged is that Reaves, like James, sees an elevated degree of defensive consideration from opposing groups due to his main ball-handling function.
“There are particular groups, as a result of he’s our main ball handler, there are particular groups which have disruptive guys. They’re taking up the entire discipline,” Redick mentioned. “So it is actually a game-by-game factor relying on the opposite crew’s personnel for LeBron and Austin, when it comes to what sort of strain they’re beneath. And that may clearly result in some turnovers.
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Austin Reaves as Lakers’ full-time level guard
Within the 4 seasons Reaves spent within the NBA, he averaged a career-high 1.6 turnovers in comparison with 4.0 assists. This season, his turnovers have elevated to round 2.5 per sport in comparison with 6.2 assists. Each are profession highs.
He is had video games just like the 14 factors, 14 assists and no turnovers he completed with towards the Miami Warmth earlier this week. Then he had video games just like the one earlier this month towards the Atlanta Hawks, with six assists and 6 turnovers.
In Reaves final ten matcheshe averages 8.8 assists and three.3 turnovers, in accordance with StatMuse. Nonetheless, over the past 4 video games, he has averaged simply 1.5 turnovers whereas doling out 8.3 assists. Clearly, as Redick mentioned, a part of that comes from changing into a main ball handler and shot creator. But when the previous couple of video games are any indication, Reaves might have discovered a technique to restrict his turnovers whereas nonetheless with the ability to create taking pictures alternatives for his teammates.
