Jay Williams Wonders How The Lakers Can Bring Back LeBron James All Because Austin Reaves Is Playing So Well

Harry How. Getty Images.

When LeBron got hurt on February 26th, it wasn't crazy to suggest that the Lakers may have been screwed. They had some work to do to get back into the Play In/playoffs, and obviously LeBron is an important piece of that puzzle. Before that injury, the Lakers were 5-9 on the season when LeBron didn't play. Of course, the AD injury also plays a role in that, but you get the idea.

Since that 2/26 game, the Lakers have played 12 games without LeBron and have found a way to survive. Their 7-5 record is tied fo the 4th most wins over that time span, which include wins over GS, NO, and PHX, all which matter in terms of their race to the end of the season. 

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A big part of that? The play of Austin Reaves.

Someone had to step up in LeBron's absence, and Reaves has done just that. In those 12 games he's putting up 18.3/3.1/5.8 on 56/41% splits, while taking 7.8 FTA a game. He's been genuinely awesome

I mean, the NBA themselves put out AN HOUR LONG highlight reel of Reaves after that 35 point explosion

which is a little weird, but that's the benefit of playing for the Lakers I suppose.

Not only has Reaves made himself a shit ton of money (he's a restricted FA this summer), but he's definitely played his way into being an important part of the Lakers puzzle. It's OK to just leave things at that. 

Unfortunately, that's not how things work. Instead, we have people wondering how the Lakers can bring back LEBRON JAMES all because of how Austin Reaves is playing

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Now before we jump down Jay Williams' throat, he's not entirely wrong. Things will change once LeBron is back, but there's also the DLo being back factor to consider as well. In theory, two ball dominant players will take the ball out of Reaves' hands, who is a player that is currently showing some great signs while having the ball in his hands. I can understand why that might be concerning to some.

But I would ask Jay Williams to think about this a little bit within the context of the season LeBron is currently having. You can absolutely have lineups where LeBron is off ball. He shoots around 34% on catch & shoot 3PA which is good enough to ask least force defenses to respect him. You can use LeBron as a screener. LeBron has done a shit ton of on ball screening this year. Put the two in P&R if you want. The point is, there are ways for this to work as long as Darvin Ham has the right approach.

What you don't do is not bring back LeBron James for the stretch run when you are in a dogfight for seeding just because someone is playing well in his absence. You figure out how to make it work once everyone is back. Plus, it sounds like LeBron won't be active until around early April anyway

I'm pretty sure if there's a chance you can get LeBron some games before the Play In/playoffs start, that's probably a good idea. We're not talking about any player here either. We're talking about LeBron! You don't worry about system or other players roles when it comes to LeBron. You put him on the floor and let him figure it out. 

So on one level, I get what Jay Williams may be trying to get at because roles and lineups will have to change once LeBron is back. But that clip might be taking things juuuuuuuuuust a little too far. No need to go all galaxy brain here. Reaves has stepped up and played some awesome basketball to help keep the Lakers afloat. That is true.

He's also not LeBron James. What are we even doing?