LeBron James’ return to the court is getting close, a piece of news that excites Lakers fans. For Shaquille O’Neal, however, it means the end of an extraordinary stretch that Austin Reaves has enjoyed with the team. The legend knows things will go back to normal, and that the player’s dream run is nearing its end.
O’Neal appeared as a guest on The Big Podcast with Shaq. As the veteran and expert he is, he spoke wisely about the situation unfolding in Los Angeles, using street language to make his point land clearly.
He (Reaves) can play. But when the big man comes back, everything goes back to its place. I’ll put it in street terms. While the OG is in jail, you’re running the show. But when he comes back home… You feel me?
He lamented what Reaves will experience once LeBron returns. He believes the kid has played wonderfully and deserves more opportunities. Unfortunately, James will reclaim his spot, leaving Reaves with limited action.
So… I’m just saying that in some way I feel bad for Austin because he looks good. He’s playing well. But when LeBron… when they have their full roster back, he’s going to be standing in the corner again, taking those last-second shots
The Lakers are 10-4 after their win over the Bucks. Austin Reaves has been a standout. Before this season, he was a steady player averaging 14.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 48.1%. Last year, that jumped to 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds on 46% shooting, all while LeBron was mostly available.
In the first nine games of this season, he has averaged 28.3 points, 8.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds on 47% shooting. Some of those matchups were also without Luka, forcing Reaves to take on the role of a true lead playmaker.
Reaves remains calm. He knows LeBron is the king and that his presence is essential on the court. He’s taking his return in stride.
Knowing him, he’s been watching these first… what is it, 11 games? And analyzing the game in the sense that he knows that when he comes back, ‘This is how I can help the team.’
Austin Reaves’ “Reavesvolution” vs. Jeremy Lin’s “Linsanity” Era
Shaquille O’Neal sparked the debate comparing Austin Reaves’ play to Jeremy Lin’s. Former player Kenny Smith noted similarities between Reaves’ current run and Lin’s 2012 “Linsanity,” when the undrafted guard went from averaging 2.8 points per game to scoring more than 25 in seven straight games with the Knicks. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin has called this stretch the “Reavesvolution.”
In regular-season scoring, Reaves averages 14.8 points per game compared to Lin’s 11.6. In the playoffs, he nearly doubles Lin’s output, 16.7 to 7.2. In assists, the difference is minimal but favors Austin: 4.4 to 4.3, though Lin reached a higher peak in a single season with 6.2, compared to Reaves’ high-end games at 10.0.
Defensively, Lin edges ahead slightly in steals (1.1 to Reaves’ 0.8), and Austin trails a bit in blocks. But efficiency tells another story: Reaves shoots a clean 48.2% from the field, 37% from three, and 86.5% from the line, clearly surpassing Lin’s 43.3%, 34.2%, and 80.9%, respectively.
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