The start of the 2023-24 NBA season is still a couple of months away, with teams starting training camps at the beginning of October, leading to tipoff for four teams on October 24.
One of those teams that will get their season underway on that date is the Los Angeles Lakers, who will travel to the Mile High City to take on Nikola Jokic and the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets in a Western Conference Finals rematch.
One player that has likely already circled that date on his calendar is rising star Austin Reaves, who is currently playing for head coach Steve Kerr on Team USA ahead of the FIBA World Cup.
Reaves has gotten a lot of buzz lately for his play with Team USA and seems to be earning the respect of his new teammates, with Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets being the latest to sing the praises of the Lakers guard, according to Dan Woike of the LA Times, via Legion Hoops.
Mikal Bridges on Austin Reaves:
“This ain’t no underdog sh*t no more, he’s here.”
(via @DanWoikeSports, https://t.co/EdoY0K8oxt) pic.twitter.com/m8MGT5Rje1
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 14, 2023
With Reaves not having the traditional path to becoming a starter in the NBA, many people have doubted whether he can maintain his level of play, especially under the bright lights of Los Angeles, where even established stars can struggle on a nightly basis.
However, Reaves seems to only improve with more time on the floor, as confidence is not a problem for the undrafted guard.
Even though Reaves is playing with stars like Bridges, Brandon Ingram, Anthony Edwards, and Jalen Brunson, the 25-year-old continues to leave his mark as he’s had an impact on every game thus far and will be a vital role player for Kerr during the upcoming FIBA World Cup.
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