Do not let the final box scores from the last couple of games fool you, Austin Reaves is finally embracing life as the second star in Hollywood. It was a much-needed shift for the Los Angeles Lakers, but it took some time to get used to the change.
Earlier in the season, a reporter asked Reaves whether it was finally clicking for him that he was a star. There was still hesitation with the response give at the time.
"It still feels weird," Reaves said of his comfort embodying a star. "Obviously, I have delusional confidence in myself when it comes to basketball, but when [the] game's over and I go home and think about it, don't really think of myself in the category of some of these other guys."
Reaves added that he just enjoyed playing basketball and playing the right way. The latter for him right now would be serving as the number two behind Luka Doncic. There is no staying 'low-key' as the Lakers guard would prefer. JJ Redick and the team need him front and center.
Austin Reaves' role as the second option is crucial for the Lakers
The Lakers are trying to build their future around the duo of Doncic and Reaves leading the way. They have their test run for it now.
LeBron James missed the first three games of this current eight-game winning streak. Reaves was asked to firmly assert himself as the second option then. Redick has since swayed James into an approach of less being more upon his return from the brief injury absence.
The Lakers have managed to continue their winning ways in the process.
Reaves is posting a higher usage percentage than James during the last five games. Granted, it is by the slimmest of margins (21.9 to 21.8), skewed by him deferring during the last couple of games to make way for his teammates who were outperforming him on offense.
That, itself, is an excellent quality to have. Knowing when to make room for others has plenty of value.
For the most part, though, it has been clearly laid out what Reaves' role will be for the Lakers this season. Redick has shown it is a priority to have him operate as the second-highest usage player behind Doncic.
The Lakers are winning, that is what matters most. They will stay on the right end of these games if they keen leaning further and further into the formula that is delivering results.