Lakers News: LA Hall Of Famer Credits Austin Reaves With Taking Pressure Off Stars

After your Los Angeles Lakers won the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament with a 123-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers Saturday, shooting guard Austin Reaves was praised for his performance. Battling through illness pre-game, Reaves dropped 28 points in helping the team get the win.

Lakers star big man Anthony Davis praised Reaves for his game and how he takes the pressure off the stars throughout games.

“What he did tonight, but what he’s been doing this entire season has been unbelievable,” Anthony Davis said. “He actually takes a lot of pressure off us too. We draw so much attention and he’s able to go one-on-one or play-make for himself or for the other guys. He’s meant a lot to our organization and to our team. There’s nothing that he can’t do on the offensive end, and he’s locking in defensively. He means a lot to our ballclub, and it just shows every time he steps on the floor.”

Per Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times

Reaves has stepped up his game heavily over the few seasons that he has been in the NBA. He is now one of the more important pieces on the Lakers' roster, and he seems to be getting better as time goes on.

His ability to run the offense, while also getting shots for himself has helped open things up for this team. All Reaves wants to do is win and he will do what it takes to make that happen.

“I don’t think about it,” he said. “Obviously, we got a lot of really good players, especially D-Lo [D’Angelo Russell]. And I think those, that third role, or third-star comment, could kind of just be thrown around. It could be anyone on any night. Like I said about Cam [Reddish] tonight. He didn’t score a lot, but I felt like he was one of the best players on the court with the way he defended and really changed the game on that end of the floor. But I don’t think anybody on our team is worried about who the third guy or fourth guy or fifth guy is. We just want to win.”

Per Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times

For the Lakers to ultimately reach their championship goals this season, they are going to need Reaves to continue stepping up. His growth is paramount as the year progresses.

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