LeBron’s Fire Burns Bright: Austin Reaves Details Intense Rookie Season Under King James’ Guidance
Austin Reaves, the Los Angeles Lakers’ promising young guard, has opened up about his intense rookie season under the guidance of LeBron James. In a candid interview, Reaves revealed the high standards and blunt criticism he faced from the NBA legend.
“LeBron was hard on me, man,” Reaves said with a chuckle. “He would get on me about every little thing, from my defense to my shot selection. But it wasn’t just about criticizing me – he wanted to make me better.”
Reaves, who was drafted by the Lakers in 2021, admitted that he was initially taken aback by James’ fiery personality. However, as the season progressed, he began to appreciate the veteran’s tough love approach.
“LeBron’s passion is infectious,” Reaves said. “He hates losing more than he loves winning, and that mentality rubs off on you. He pushed me to be my best self, even when I didn’t think I had it in me.”
Under James’ guidance, Reaves showed significant improvement throughout his rookie season. He averaged 7.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, while shooting an impressive 45.5% from the field.
Reaves’ growth was not lost on James, who took pride in mentoring the young guard. “Austin’s a great kid, and he’s got a lot of potential,” James said. “I’m happy to have been a part of his development, and I’m excited to see him continue to grow.”
As Reaves prepares for his sophomore season, he’s grateful for the lessons he learned from James. “LeBron taught me that it’s okay to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them,” Reaves said. “He showed me what it takes to be a champion, and I’m committed to following in his footsteps.”
