While there was loads that went fallacious for the Lakers in the beginning of final season, one of many moments that had fairly a ripple impact got here months prior. When Austin Reaves accepted a spot on the Team USA roster to play, it felt like an important alternative for him to play on the worldwide stage.
Even if it was, it got here at a fairly notable value for the Lakers. Reaves entered the season not at 100% and battled by means of a tough droop to open the 12 months. Ultimately, that led to him being benched and delayed the Lakers discovering the beginning 5 that led to them having a lot success.
Obviously, there have been plenty of different elements that have been at play that led to the poor begin, however Reaves’ gradual begin didn't assist issues. Because of that begin, Reaves didn’t make the bounce most anticipated him to make in Year 3.
Heading into his fourth 12 months, although, Reaves had a way more common summer season and, as a consequence, is coming into coaching camp in a a lot better place this 12 months. In talking with ESPN LA throughout Media Day, Reaves stated detailed how he’s feeling bodily after an offseason the place he may give attention to his physique.
“I feel a lot better, a lot more healthy,” Reaves stated. “I had alternatives to go actually onerous in the burden room and on the court docket as effectively. I really feel like I’ve put myself in a very good place to hit the bottom operating.
“One of the main things was conditioning level. I’ve spent a lot of time running lines which sucks and nobody ever wants to really do it but you have to do those things to put yourself in a position to play both ends of the court.”
Reaves is the kind of participant that may put in the work behind the scenes, which was a speaking level throughout his press convention on Monday. Despite seeing far more of his golf sport than his basketball sport this summer season, he nonetheless had his priorities straight.
“Why do I have to prove that I’m working out? I know what I’m doing.” – Austin Reaves, on not posting exercise movies by means of social media. (He emphasised if that’s what works for different gamers, nice, nothing fallacious with it. But it’s not his factor.) AK
— Kamenetzky Brothers (@KamBrothers) September 30, 2024
Austin did present just a little extra perception into what he was engaged on when not {golfing} this summer season. While talking to Spectrum, he added why he targeted a lot of his work on getting robust in the fitness center.
“A lot of it was weight room to start,” Reaves stated, “simply getting as robust as doable and being in one of the best form doable as effectively…going into this 12 months was the primary factor as a result of on the finish of the 12 months, I felt like I received to a degree the place I used to be defending at a very excessive stage however, on the offensive finish, wasn’t capturing the ball as good as I may. So, simply being in one of the best form doable to play each ends each single evening.
“I just love the grind of getting better at all aspects of the game. It’s not just one thing, just working on my game full.”
Offensively, there aren’t many obvious weaknesses to Reaves’ sport. He’s a official three-level scorer who improved as a playmaker final 12 months, too. And whereas there’s strides to be made defensively, that’s onerous to enhance on in an empty fitness center through the summer season.
Reaves is positioned for a very massive season. After settling in as a official NBA participant, he now has had a traditional offseason the place he may practice and work on his physique and sport.
At the danger of being let down a second 12 months in a row, it actually does really feel like Reaves is in an ideal spot for an enormous season in purple and gold.
You can observe Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.
