LA Lakers star Austin Reaves has been impressing fans with his performance in the absence of superstars Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Most recently, Reaves dropped 28 points and 16 assists in a thrilling game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The highlight of the night was his game-winning shot that led the Lakers to a narrow 116-115 victory.
Fans have been loving what Reaves has brought to the team early this season. Aside from his clutch game-winner, he also scored a career-high 51 points against the Sacramento Kings. This was followed by another standout 41-point performance in a matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Despite these impressive feats, former NBA player Kenny Smith shared a controversial opinion about Reaves following the game-winner. Smith compared him to 2019 NBA champion Jeremy Lin, the Taiwanese basketball star who gained fame during his brief takeover with the New York Knicks in February 2012.
However, Smith’s co-hosts on ESPN’s “Inside the NBA” disagreed with his comparison. Charles Barkley, in particular, defended Reaves, stating that he has been performing well for several years.
The criticism towards Smith didn’t stop there. On the latest episode of “Fearless,” Jason Whitlock’s co-host, Jay Skapinac, didn’t hold back, calling Smith a “buffoon” for his remarks.
“Austin Reaves flashed this kind of ability last season,” Skapinac said. “He had a great year last year. A lot of people were just side-stepping like the buffoon Kenny Smith, with his idiotic Jeremy Lin comps. Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith is an idiot. He clearly doesn’t watch basketball.”
Skapinac emphasized that Reaves has outperformed Lin, especially since last season. He pointed out that Lin’s best year saw him average just 13 points during the 2012-13 season, whereas Reaves has surpassed that mark, averaging 20 points for the first time in his career during the 2023-24 campaign.
**Richard Jefferson Says Lakers’ Record Will Impact Reaves’ All-Star Chances**
Austin Reaves’ recent stretch of games has not only entertained fans but also sparked discussions about his potential to be voted as an NBA All-Star. However, former NBA player Richard Jefferson believes that Reaves’ chances hinge heavily on the Lakers’ overall team performance.
Jefferson explained that with superstars LeBron James and Luka Doncic virtually guaranteed to make the All-Star team, Reaves would need to secure a spot as the “third guy,” competing with players like Vince Carter and Jason Kidd. For that to happen, the Lakers must be one of the top three teams in terms of wins.
“You imagine LeBron and Luka are going to make it, so as the third guy with Vince and Jay Kidd, you better be in the Top 3 in wins. If you are 6th and then Luka and Bron get voted in, which they will, you’re not going to get that 3rd All-Star,” Jefferson said.
Winning games, therefore, won’t be solely on Reaves’ shoulders. The Lakers need a collective effort to boost their record and improve Reaves’ chances of receiving an All-Star nod as the season progresses.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-jason-whitlock-s-co-host-blasts-buffoon-kenny-smith-scathing-putdown-his-idiotic-austin-reaves-jeremy-lin-comp