LeBron James, the pillar of the Los Angeles Lakers, has been missing in action for three weeks after suffering from a right foot tendon injury. Despite appropriate rehab and rest, no timetable remains set for his return just yet. However, if rumors are to be believed, the veteran could eventually return at the last stage of the regular season. Regardless the Lakers have been doing just fine in his absence.
Since James has taken over the bench, young guys like D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves took charge of scoring and assisting Anthony Davis whenever necessary. Amid this, Reaves, a 24-year-old rookie, has been one of the brightest stars for the Lakers in recent games. The new kid on the block is really bossing around with an extreme skill set. However, a former NBA player has raised concerns over Reaves form in the wake of LeBron’s apparent comeback.
Jay Williams Trolled By Fans For Unnecessary LeBron James Rant
Former Chicago Bulls player turned analyst Jay Williams has welcomed unwanted controversy. During a show on ESPN, Jay claimed that LeBron James’ return to the side would hamper Austin Reaves and the Lakers’ rhythm. Explaining his point, Jay added that Reaves had got a certain rhythm flow because of excessive ball possession. He is getting that ball pass since he is scoring and making aggressive runs. However, when LeBron returns, Austin will have to sacrifice his touches and give a pass around the ball toward James.
Hence, in his opinion, LeBron James’ much-anticipated comeback would adversely affect the Lakers and Austin Reaves, in particular, in their playoff run. However, fans strongly disagreed with the comment and called out Jay for unnecessary comparisons and analysis. They stated that LeBron is the backbone of the Lakers side, and without him, playoff qualification would remain just a dream. It is worth noting that Williams’ statement is purely speculative, and it remains to be seen how the return of James will impact the Lakers and their young players. James is one of the greatest players in NBA history, and his return to the team could help the team turn things around in the season’s final stretch.
Austin Reaves Gets Real On Stepping In LeBron’s Shoes
Meanwhile, Reaves, for his part, has shown that he is a talented player capable of contributing to the Lakers’ success. The rookie guard delivered back-to-back career-best figures to help the Lakers secure crucial wins. Rather than playing second fiddle to the likes of Anthony Davis or D’Angelo Russell, Austin has become the lead scorer out of nowhere. Moreover, fans are going gaga over his new looks and appreciate him for the same.
On the other hand, Austin Reaves laid out his honest views on filling up the void of LeBron James in the lineup. He said it’s the job of each and everyone on the team to make up for James’ absence. Moreover, the Reaves himself has adopted a more aggressive approach to stealing a few extra points.