Lakers News: Behind The Scenes Of Cam Reddish, Austin Reaves Starting Lineup Swap

After a rough slate of three straight losses (including two by 19+ points), Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham made the tough decision to bench shooting guard Austin Reaves, starting wing Cam Reddish instead.

After an impressive 122-119 In-Season Tournament road win against the Phoenix Suns, it's safe to say that Ham's decision worked. Reddish's confidence shot up, leading him to put up 17 points, on 5-of-8 shooting from three, plus 3 steals. Meanwhile Reaves, in an altered role off the bench, had an efficient 15 points and seven assists himself.

These decisions are never easy for coaches or players to make, however, as it can easily impact team chemistry and player psyche.

For the Lakers in this situation, however, that seems to have not been the case at all. Here's a peek as to how LA responded internally to the adjustment (per Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times):

"Austin Reaves stood in the hallway outside the Lakers’ visiting locker room, his back against the wall as one of the stars of the night walked by with the game ball after the Lakers’ 122-119 win.

Cam Reddish, the player who surprisingly replaced Reaves in the starting lineup, made his way toward the team bus, cameras following him while he beamed.

“Who are you?!?” Reaves proudly asked the former lottery pick.

“I’m you!” Reddish said back to one of the biggest heroes for the Lakers one season ago.

“No. No, No, No, No,” Reaves shot back. “Say your name, my boy.”

Chemistry-wise, it looks like nothing has changed, and if anything's things have improved.

Further, here's a look at Reaves' perspective:

“I’m versatile enough and understanding enough and actually care about winning,” Reaves said before heading back into the locker room. “So regardless if it’s a ‘demotion’ or ‘realignment,’ I can handle that. And I’m a realist about what we’re trying to do as a group. That’s all I want to do is win. Obviously, I want to be a part of that."

His adaptability and understanding of the situation go a very long way, as they reflect who he has become as a person and a player.

Given his openness to these types of adjustments, expect the Lakers to continue making the moves necessary to bounce back and enter the heart of the season stronger.

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