The Los Angeles Lakers returned home with a win over the Philadelphia 76ers, bouncing back from a tough NBA five-game road trip. After the game, shooting guard Austin Reaves revealed that JJ Redick had set a challenge for him during a film session before tipoff.
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“I met with JJ before in film, and he challenged me… he showed me a couple of clips and instances where I wasn’t competing the way I should have. That’s not like me, and I want to be coached like that,” Reaves told reporters.
Reaves praised Redick’s coaching style, noting it aligns with the Lakers’ mindset. “We have a group that wants to be coached like that. So when he comes in and basically puts it on the screen, you can’t hide from it,” Reaves added.
Reaves rose to the occasion, finishing as the Lakers’ second-leading scorer of the game with 20 points, shooting from the field on 7-of-13 and shooting from the three-point line on 6-of-10 along with six rebounds and seven assists.
Reaves’ season so far
Through the Lakers’ nine games this season, Reaves has averaged 17.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. His shooting splits stand at 47.1% from the field, 37.5% from three-point range, and 77.4% from the line, marking career-highs in points, rebounds, and steals.
Redick on Reaves’ role
Since stepping into his coaching role, Redick has been vocal about his enthusiasm to work with Reaves, whom he considers a key part of the Lakers’ lineup. “He’s excellent, and I cannot wait to coach Austin,” Redick told the media via Lakers Nation.
“One of the reasons I can’t wait to coach him is because of his competitive spirit. He has a real mental toughness and competitive approach every single night.” Redick has stayed firm in his commitment to Reaves, seeing him as indispensable in the Lakers’ starting lineup.
Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, specializing in soccer, the NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he made his initial strides as a writer. Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like Roland Garros. His ability to report on real-time events and write under pressure has established him as a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, where he covers a wide range of sports, including European soccer, MLS, and the NBA. Gianni earned his degree in Communication from Deportea in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
