You’re UNDERRATING Austin Reaves…

Some of you watching this video right now 100% think that Austin Reaves is completely overrated as an NBA player. Why is he on team USA, why did he get a massive contract… he’d only be getting this kind of attention because he’s on the Lakers… you’re probably thinking all of those things!
And it makes sense I mean 2 years ago this guy went completely undrafted… and now after just a few seasons he is somehow this amazing player? How can a guy that was ranked outside of the top 70 on draft boards actually be this good this quickly?
#austinreaves #nba #lalakers

[@mekhifreeman6804]

Great at drawing fouls, underrated playmaker, efficient shooter, solid perimeter defender, and always seemingly makes the right play. High IQ guy

[@rome8180]

Just watching these highlights you can see he's not "overrated." The amount of craft in his game is insane. He's fooling defenders with change of speed, change of direction, and all kinds of subtle fakes. Once he creates space, he can finish in all sorts of ways. He's also a very solid defender, imo. While the Lakers have made some mistakes in roster building over the years, they've actually done a fantastic job with drafting and player development. Yes, I know Reaves was undrafted. But the Lakers still had to recognize his value and sign him to a two-way contract. They also found and developed Caruso (though they weren't smart enough to actually pay him). And most of their higher picks have panned out too, even if they had to go to another team to truly blossom. I'm not a Lakers fan, btw. I just think their ability to find players through the draft, regardless of draft position, has been impressive.

[@JonSmith-hk1bq]

If only Magic hadn't fallen for the Ball fraud and taken Tatum when he fell into their laps.

[@jojoprocess2820]

Never watch the lakers cause dont like bron, but literally the handful of plays I watched made it clear hes a high impact player. Incredible the pick and roll and can score from anywhere on floor. How can people look at his absurd efficiency and still think hes not good?

[@wills.9422]

No one says he’s overrated. They say he’s overhyped. He’s a very good player for sure. Some fans(alot) talk like he’s the 2nd coming of the next big star in LA 😂.. and logical nba fans know their are role players with less press who are much better than AR and would shine in the same position if they were surrounded by LBJ/AD/D-LO..

[@JonSmith-hk1bq]

@@wills.9422 For the record, a LOT are saying he's overrated.

[@wills.9422]

@@JonSmith-hk1bq lol because of the overhype .. i think everyone knows he’s good. It’s the next big Star talk is what makes everyone say he’s overrated .

[@-13eNnY-]

It's because he's incredibly versatile and has no real weaknesses. He is solid/good on pretty much all aspects of the game. On top of that, he's a very willing learner with no ego and a hard worker. That is actually much harder to find than you'd think. Even if he doesn't get much better from here on out, you can at least guarantee that he'll be a great player to have on your team. Because of his versatility, there is always a role that he can fill on any team as long as your guard rotations aren't literally all all-stars or something.

[@liamseekamp9627]

Even if he gets no better than currently the contract still wouldn't be that bad 13 4 4 is valuable to any team

[@ScottySkilz1]

his defense is definitely a weakness and not a strength. poor team/help defense, average on ball defense. everyone gets hyped up after 1 good year.....let's see if he can do it again

[@-13eNnY-]

@@ScottySkilz1 He's a solid team defender and individual defender. Not a strength but not a particular weakness either. Puts effort on defense which is the most important thing about defense. His defense is the weakest part of his game and he's not even a bad defender by any means.

[@derrickmiller2127]

Thank you somebody with sense, I can tell a real student of the game

[@derrickmiller2127]

@@ScottySkilz1 you another one of those guys that didn't watch him play he actually built his name on defense first 😂, you think you got playing time, with the defensive-minded head coach and he s a liability,yeah right , you just joining along with somebody else said,

[@EonArashi]

Thank you for injecting some sense into this discussion, but even then, you’re underrating Reaves as a defender. He’s not a point of attack guy, but he *is* very good at contesting shots, particularly threes (opponents shot 32% on threes defended by Reaves [36% is the average] and less than the league average from other ranges as well). As a closeout guy or help defender, he’s above-average. And compared to other guys at his position, he’s not bad at all. High IQ guys play up on defense relative to the eye test, especially when they give effort like Reaves does. His fit next to Russel is a bit questionable, but that’s more on Russel than him.

[@Anthonydu01630]

Exactly, with Gabe Vincent or Cam Reddish this wouldn’t be a problem, that team already had the best defense with D-Lo so if you add guys like Gabe and Cam they will be elite at every positions

[@enchydeon5921]

Thank you for this comment.A lot of people didn't want to recognize his defense lol

[@antonio7sunglao]

Completely agree 100%

[@wills.9422]

Why he didn’t guard Jamal Murray once and he’s the starting SG lol

[@enchydeon5921]

@@wills.9422 because coach didn't assign him lol and if you saw him when Schroeder foul trouble Austin guarding Murray and Murray couldn't shoot lol.

[@21rcampos]

Austin is...solid, consistent, he can play in a college game and drop 15 points, in a D-league game and drop 15 points, in an NBA game from the bench and drop 15 points, in an NBA game as a starter and drop 15 points, in an all star game and drop 15 points, in a team USA game coming from the bench and drop 15 points, team USA game as a starter and drop 15 points...he is confident and don't care if he is among other all stars, because he knows he is a star by himself

[@Theinsideoutsider]

You're spot on with the fact his ability translates to literally the same thing (productivity wise) no matter the level. However he's a star in his role not an actual star who's gonna average 25ppg and be a go to guy for an entire season. Although as a Lakers fan I hope he becomes that lol

[@jaylenflanagan1295]

@@TheinsideoutsiderI think he can average 20 atleast once

[@abe8824]

hes more than solid

[@yagotta1]

Jersey #15?

[@kgtd2160]

Imo he's definitely not underrated anymore, and he's also not overrated. He's a really solid player that can play both on and off the ball, nice complementary ball handler, solid defender as well with size and just overall smart. He's probably gonna be like Gordon Hayward and that is a huge plus especially on the contract he got. As of right now, I think he's properly rated.

[@namasdante]

Perfectly stated! I think he's a better ballhandler than Hayward, though. Tbh, he reminds me more of a poor man's Luka. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@wills.9422]

@@namasdante a poor man’s luka ? And he’s getting guarded by the worse defensive player on every team 😂…

[@yahirzavala-nm9ur]

@@wills.9422no he’s not 😭😭 during the playoffs when he was the main option he was going at Karen Jackson , draymond and Gordon and was still scoring efficiency

[@wills.9422]

@@yahirzavala-nm9urbruh the Lakers literally deferred to him because he was guarded by the worse defender on the floor which was Murray, Steph, & Ja Morant so its makes him look better , he is good tho not denying that... D-Lo got the better guard defenders every game tho lol like Bane, GP2/klay, KCP, all were guarding D-Lo not AR.

[@nicoalexander774]

I’ve watched Austin since his first game his rookie year against the suns. He will be a superstar and I still can’t believe it! ⭐️ 🤩

[@tjco_]

he is solid bruh, can shoot efficiently and make plays for himself and his teammates. i still believe that D’Lo is their 3rd best player just because he is an all star caliber talent and can absolutely score and have good court awareness, particularly in the pick n roll chemistry with AD but AR is making a case for himself with the elite combination of being a dependable secondary or tertiary ball handler, making the most of what the defense gives him, incredible basketball IQ, and having a reliable jumper to space the floor

[@lionoh]

You see how he keeps his hip low and sticking out like a hoochi mama in heat. He Also keep's his arm out as a a Shields guard.

[@michaelward9201]

😂

[@BIG_DAWG824]

i have never seen any call Austin overrated he’s also not underrated he’s properly rated

[@vincenttran7165]

He's efficient with high basketball IQ

[@Precision_Peter]

Lakers scouting team is insane

[@SLExtra-xc4mv]

It is wild how many 2nd round and undrafted steals they have gotten over the year

[@danniellwilliams5996]

Steals? Lol it's because of the market. They would rather go undrafted than go to a bad team

[@boredphilosopher4254]

@@danniellwilliams5996 Bro no one is like that. Rookies who get drafted get more money and more security. And these are not pros who've already made 300 million. These are players whose dream is to play for the league one day. There are only a handful of undrafted guys who get rotation minutes. And what you said is even more silly because almost no good team has new undrafted guys in the rotation. Austin only got an opportunity because of the Lakers dysfunction and lack of depth.

[@mattchy1821]

@@boredphilosopher4254bro could’ve been in Detroit with Cade but said he’d rather go undrafted then go to Detroit he is literally like that😹

[@Precision_Peter]

@@mattchy1821 yea but Reaves bet on himself and it was a pretty big gamble he's just a dawg so it worked out

[@manz7860]

He got underpaid if anything. Hes a real one for taking that sweeheart deal. Our lemon daddy. Shout out to DLo as well.

[@wills.9422]

No one else offered him anything 😂

[@Johnwilliams11047]

⁠@@wills.9422 There were a couple teams pistons being one of them

[@lynsmanz384]

Reaves so good they were calling him an industry plant

[@michaelward9201]

😂😂😂 fr tho bro is legit.

[@xtigre247]

I just don't understand why his mental makeup is never considered as a positive. Everyone screams "Mamba Mentality" and how they wish players like Lebron and others had more of an assassin mentality, yet when Reaves has shown that capability no one gives him credit. I don't appreciate that you put a cap on his playmaking ability because of his limited athleticism and then not acknowledge that to be a playmaker you need to have elite levels of IQ, timing, spacing, and the flow of the game. All of which Reaves has shown and is just as significant as athleticism in playmaking for yourself and others. Did you feel Rondo put a limitation on the Celtics offence during their Championship era? how bout cp3 who barely could graze the rim when he came out? and Kyrie with all his athleticism has been a liability on defense from day one. Athleticism isn't always an indicator of a player being able to stay in front of people. I know the video is about giving Austin a bit more credit but you also emphasized his limitations as the reason he might not be as good, or his age being the reason that he's peaked, but he also hasn't played much basketball because of early injuries/red shirting and limited playing time. Anyways besides that I loved your video keep em coming!

[@user-vb3xv7oj4p]

Much appreicated for the love on him. Good analysis overall. However, I argue that his physical deficiency on defensive end is way too exaggerated imho. Despite the fact that he can be over powered / bullied by stronger guards/wings and get blown by quicker/smaller guards time to time, his defensive contribution through motor/hustle/awareness/anticipation outweight his shortcoming. He make up his average foot speed by reacting half second early through his excellent awareness and reflexes. Not a good defender against iso craftman and/or highest level of ball handlers but I feel very comfortable to put him against off-ball guy/smallish wing type. So, he isn't the defensive stopper by any means, but his defensive contribution largely comes from team defense anyways.

[@wassimakram4143]

Lakers have been a factory for productive late round picks like reaves caruso THT and now developing their new rookie and christie from last year

[@IHadToMakeThisAccount]

THT? Lol

[@dimelo58]

He’s a great fit end of discussion.

[@user-pr6kl7do8q]

reaves has been working on his defense with team usa i even saw him clamp up cade for a play he did extremely well and i think his athleticism will grow

[@jlui21]

-- Agree. I will ADD that in the playoffs, the opposing teams will hunt Bigs too like GOBERT (3x DPOY), Embiid, and Jokic.

[@tealsquare]

Watching this video after the Montenegro game and boy is he clamping bigs every game. It's actually absurd to watch.

[@user-pr6kl7do8q]

@@tealsquare yeah i loved that this comment aged well

[@Shinyshoesz]

Lakers homer, so fair warning, but I totally agree. I think it's really possible with his work ethic/pathway development as a player that we could see Reaves become an even better athlete and defender by putting in work on his body. In terms of modern player comparisons, my mind always goes to Bojan Bogdanovic. Both crafty, versatile, efficient players with high IQ and slightly below average athleticism -- but every team would want them on their team in a heartbeat. Can't wait to see how he develops from here on out :)

[@christopherhirezi5686]

Anyone that can temporarily replace Lebron in any aspect of the game is a great player, and for comparison, Westbrook couldn't but Austin could.

[@TheTruthSeeker462]

Dont know but I'm feeling Championship vibes with the Lakers roster this year

[@astroWRLD24]

Hold up Dlo still might get the green light to be 3rd guy...AR is a good teammate for the Lakers so I'm interested to see his growth and how he handles consistent starting minutes which Dlo has above him

[@saltman6873]

I’m interested to see how Dlo plays this season with the addition of Gabe Vincent…I personally didn’t want Lakers to resign him

[@poppatheegoat]

Ar15 is a great player he can creator for him and other also he super efficient, he a 50/40/90 player also can get to the line , play a little defense He had a great iq at a young age , and he can play off the ball don’t need the ball to be great . That why he a great player

[@LilBro925]

He's properly rated now. Any team in the NBA would want Reaves on their team even with his new contract. Great shot creator and handles, above average playmaker, Excellent shooting splits, and above all he plays hard and hustles on defense. Couldn't ask more for your 2 guard that's not your star player from a non Laker fan

[@lennongaz]

Home grown kid. The kind.

[@driivenbypassion6849]

1000% Agree!!!!! he's genuinely a player! Hater are always going to hate!!!!! makes him even more popular ! hahahga

[@MrFilbouldes]

He has a weapon. He can shoot the ball!!. The only down side is that he cant check on the ball. But most NBA players dont play defense

[@darrinstefaniak]

he's got that dogg in him

[@Monkey_D_Luffy56]

It would be scary if he has Ben Simmons' tools

[@wills.9422]

It would also be scary if Ben Simmons had Steph Curry’s jumpshot

[@yagotta1]

Be scary if Ben Simmons had that “dog” in him that AR has.

[@bandito241]

Austin Reaves is Mark Gasol if he was a Point guard on defense.

[@spaco6697]

HES MY GOAT

[@AustinMulkaMusic]

He's a good defender. He's "good" at everything. Very few holes.

[@jackxiao9702]

The draft has gotten more miss than hit. I think NBA needs to require two years of college or G League. Otherwise, it’s all on upside and not enough data to judge

[@eusoueu5504]

Austin reaves 2023 adjusted TS% of 70.1 (97th percentile, ranked 12th) the official is 68.7 which is still the best by any guard) eFG% of 61.6 (89th percentile, ranked 48th, above zion curry and durrant) Rim% of 74.6% (95percentile, ranked 21st best of any guard apart fro De'aron fox, everyone better is basically a C or an ocasional F) Midrange% of 52.8% (97percentile, 9th, only people better than him that arent bums are jokic, durant and kyrie 3P% of 39.8% (84 percentile, very good, not much to be said) to also note he is good at FTs and has decent volume of them He is extremely efficient and one of the best Pick and roll players in the league, as well as having a great layup package, AR doesnt have a lot of volume but he is extremely efficient and contributes more for the team than box scores show

[@rudyjudan9580]

Austin Reaves it’s like a combo of John Stockton and Steve Nash, that’s how look at him play

[@kelvingillett5331]

I've seen this movie before they start out playing exceptional then years later they just fade away David lee was one Jeremy lin Kevin love and a host of others

[@nastyyoda5673]

They also have a hidden Gem in Max christie

[@yrgminion5773]

He’s gonna have a breakout season like Austin’s year 2 jump

[@tealsquare]

​@@yrgminion5773it all depends on playing time. Reaves has been really fortunate with the injury crisis at the Lakers in his two seasons. Not trying to downplay his rise, I'm one of his biggest fans, but that is one thing that people overlook.

[@yrgminion5773]

@@tealsquare yea I would say as of rn max is winning the battle for the backup sg role Darvin doesn’t like playing players that don’t commit on d and especially if they can’t shoot and max showed he can do both in his rookie season while cam didn’t last season we’ll see what happens at training camp tho

[@manz7860]

I hate that other fanbases just think my lakers just uplift any white guy. You actually have to be good. I dont remember anyone giving a rats ass about Ryan Kelly.

[@wills.9422]

Caruso, cole swidr, jay huff,

[@amplesstratleholm7609]

Robert Sacre, anyone?

[@manz7860]

@@amplesstratleholm7609 Bobby Sac is a lakers legend 👏

[@rgncal4872]

Player comparison: cj McCollum

[@OugiEin]

I think Austin Reeves is an extremely skilled industry plant. Not overrated 😂

[@michaelward9201]

😂 right off the disney hoop movie set the boy legit.

[@jaydood]

Nope. I'm not underrating him. Saying a player with his stat-line, the Lakers W-L record and his percentages is underrated is nonsense. This video would've been better off talking about Franz Wagner or Cade Cunningham or literally any other top 10 draft picks from his class.

[@sangun123]

While I’m all in on AR15, let the league pass around his scouting report and let’s see him next year before we go on about under/over rated

[@edgaredgar9138]

I Like him He is great Player

[@bradobrado5243]

''size deficiency'' dude is a 6'5 point guard

[@JonSmith-hk1bq]

What's this about Reaves not having the size to be a good defender? He's a 6'5" guard. That's above-average. Are we talking about muscle mass on perimeter defense?

[@willc1257]

Reminds me of jeremy lin. Similar game

[@bobhu]

Wait for next year.

[@IHadToMakeThisAccount]

I still believe he is overrated. Not Extremely Overrated.

[@jcemmanueljacutin3012]

He ain't athletic😂 that's bad analysis. He's an average athlete and that's enough. If he plays point there are a lot of less athletic guards with worse to mediocre defense. Scheming will determine how good he can be on defense. But, simply saying he's unathletic is such a lazy analysis. He's a better athlete than Dlo!! Bigger than schroder!

[@fleezuschrist]

AR15 🙌💎

[@lennoxwilliams2452]

AR 15: is much better than most people are able to understand, his mother average 21 points per game in College, his father was top 5 in assist, his brother plays professional... you guys are talking about basket ball and not doing research, he beat Malik Monk in 2 state championship. the family owns a 300 acre farm in the middle of nowhere, he is the baby...(we haven't seen anything yet)

[@MoGhadas]

I read Austin Rivers and was really confused for a second 😂

[@enchydeon5921]

It's his choice to went undrafted just to clear.You underrate his defense lol

[@andrewmanzanares6618]

He's what Adam Morrison should've been.

[@Chrisisballin]

Only casuals would say he's overrated.

[@notperfect101]

There is a lot to like about him but actually I think off-ball he is underwhelming. He can space and shoot but doing little else from what I‘ve seen. Mostly standing around and waiting for the ball to come his way. It might be mental or a lack of conditioning or maybe just because the Laker‘s offense in general was not very dynamic. But he still has room to grow, looking forward to see what he can become in the future.

[@fortynights1513]

Sounds like a pretty solid role player to have on your team.

[@Murali_bala13]

True....someone like Manu Ginobli

[@fortynights1513]

@@Murali_bala13Bill Simmons called him a modern day Jeff Hornacek.

[@Murali_bala13]

@@fortynights1513 Bill Simmons....wearing that perpetual green cloak that he does....Reaves is a far superior play maker, ball handler, beats his man off the dribble consistently, plays D actually and looks like the highest impact player on team USA currently....none of which Jeff Hornacek cud even dream of doing....

[@Max-kw2hp]

Don't tell me what i think

[@tochuk_wu]

Reaves is 6ft 5 what limited size are you talking about He’s not athletic really that’s a sickness and the defense is solid but not all that great But the size is there and we saw it when he was guarding klay who is bigger than him

[@6keezi]

He Undervalued FACTS

[@isty9892]

how is he limited on athleticsm? The guy is 6'5 and the avarage point guard is maybe 6'2 6'3

[@ballcandy1117]

Luka Lite

[@greenecarlos93]

He literally under paid how is that a massive contract

[@RK-ry1vz]

I've never heard anyone say he was overrated.

[@nathaniel4146]

if anything, he is overrated lmao. you see toxic lakers fans (which are a lot) proclaim him as better than tier 2 or tier 1 guards. you're making a senseless title...

[@wills.9422]

Lol i don’t even think he’s better than Collin Sexton whats crazy to me 😂

[@wills.9422]

@@YeYe-ni7qy or he just hasn’t played with anyone as dominant as AD/LBJ

[@BurningMarmite]

Every team needs at least one white guy

[@bandito241]

I do think Austin deserves more money, but he’s also a second year going to his third (I think?). He’s still unproven talent, if he continues to play the way he is, he will get a ton of money thoug.

[@yodatscrazy981]

Ahh yes, the annual glazing a Lakers role player because they "are underrated" Sorry but Reaves ain't a superstar, neither was THT, and neither was Kuzma.

[@yrgminion5773]

No one called tht a superstar and kuz might not be one but he got a superstar contract so 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@yodatscrazy981]

@@yrgminion5773 Sure buddy whatever you say

[@ry_an.]

Reave’s is way better than both, way higher IQ, knows how to play. None of those guys played commanded as big a role at times as Reave’s did

[@yodatscrazy981]

@@YeYe-ni7qy 🤓

[@NCM393]

McClung

[@alexlindbjerg8283]

That makes no sense Austin Reaves' on Team USA because he's the third best player on the Lakers? Team USA could choose 20+ shooting guards better than him.

[@wills.9422]

He’s actually the 4th option on the Lakers 😂

[@23anderz]

This comment age terribly considering Austin been the 3rd best player on team USA behind Edwards and Brunson

[@wills.9422]

@@23anderz says who? 😂.. Halliburton set up half his points

[@23anderz]

@@wills.9422 says the results of the game 😂😂 without Austin they lose against Spain

[@sebastianabsolution655]

they've taught the current great whyte hope austin bigg country reeves floppin realli well. we're not underratin the scrubb. if anything, y'all been callin him the whyte kobe. blasphemous. 😐😐

[@1lormagic]

wanna be tyler herro

[@azzopnaw1749]

Those who keep on hating on ma boi r just jealous

[@derrickmiller2127]

He is 6'7 how is he undersized lol😂

[@sha3don]

hes a good player but far from underrated

[@davyunwashington3613]

I had someone try to argue Josh hart is miles better than AR-15

[@Murali_bala13]

Who cares who's better....I'd love to have both these guys on my team ....they're what we call winning players

[@davyunwashington3613]

@@Murali_bala13 and have multiple of them on my team

[@ry_an.]

Maybe at 2k

[@davyunwashington3613]

@@YeYe-ni7qy exactly he was the numbers and taking them out of context

[@nunyabizznizz7326]

he snuck up on people last year, he wont be able to this year.............we'll see when he is part of game plans

[@wills.9422]

Yea playoff teams were actually strategizing against LBJ,AD, & D-Lo

[@wills.9422]

@@YeYe-ni7qy nah. It’s just common sense bro.

[@alonzojones9626]

These comments proves he’s overrated 😂. Y’all acting like he’s the best player on the team after just a half season of great play. Let’s be real, he’s a white nba player that’s good and plays with the Lakers. He’s a good role player but not someone that can carry a championship team. I can name at least 10 guards better than him in the west alone

[@DaGoonR]

Underrating? I'm not rating him at all.

[@jeffmagic32]

He's the 2nd best player on most NBA teams.

[@jlui21]

-- he's a great #3 but if Reaves is the 2nd best, that team will not make deep runs.

[@jlui21]

​@@YeYe-ni7qy -- I would still have him as a #3. Prime Curry and Reaves? nah. MJ and Reaves? Nah. OKC KD and Reaves? Nah. MVP Harden and Reaves? nope. KG and Reaves? Nope. Now 2 stars and Reaves? Yeah, I'll take that. $12-15M/yr is cheap today. He's easily worth $25M/yr in 2023.

[@jeffmagic32]

Agreed, most teams don't make deep runs.

[@ScottySkilz1]

Bruh if you play next to LeBron and AD you better average 13 points a game......he is definitely over rated. of course we will see if he can do it 2 years in a row, especially when you know AD and LeBron will be injured for half the season so he will be the main option. i guarantee he will not avg over 17 on good efficiency. he will prob be traded at the deadline.

[@23anderz]

Lmaoo this comment shows you don’t actually watch him

[@curtiszyr]

No y’all are overrating him

[@T1Oracle]

He's overrated. He did nothing against the Warriors in the playoffs. It was all D'Lo, Bron, and Ad.

[@tisdue]

He is so overrated, but only by Lakers fans.

[@mangobananana]

if anything this dude is overrated lol

[@capt.Justin]

He is overrated

[@weho_brian]

im pretty sure we are overrating him

[@waillachab284]

If he was not with the Lakers no one would give a shit about him Honest truth

[@Menarelikewine]

Austin Reeves is the most overrated player in the league