“Is Austin Reaves a good Defender?” The answer is plain and simple. And that is yet he is not at some point, but there are a number of chances that he might be a star defender in the future.
Still have questions? Then, it’s worth digging to get your desired answer through some question-and-answer segments. And then you can have the clearest answer.
So why are we still here in the intro? Scroll a little bit down, and let’s uncover everything about “Is Austin Reaves a good defender?”
Is Austin Reaves a Good Defender?
Is Austin Reaves a Good Defender? The answer is “DEBATABLE.” And there are several reasons behind this statement.
Currently, he is the Los Angeles shooting guard and has been making an outstanding impact on both court’s edges this season. Though, he has both strengths and some areas for improvement.
Therefore, why don’t we break down all the stuff about Austin Reaves’s defense in simpler terms in the following sections and find out if he is really a good defender or not:
Good Stuff
1. Stops the Ball:
Generally, he uses his quick hands to mess up shots. This skill bothers the dribblers, which leads them to defend the player with the ball.
2. Takes Charges:
He is not only good at stopping the ball but also amazing at taking charges. His fearless attempt put offensive players under pressure. It forces the ops to change their plans.
3. Helps Defense:
Austin Reaves plays an important role when it comes to helping out the defense system. He uses high jump techniques to block opponents’ shots. This makes it super hard for the ops when they try to shoot.
4. Solid on-ball Defense:
He can guard the player who owns the ball. And what makes it happen? His fancy footwork and strong physique make it tough for opponents to pass him.
Weakness
1. Size and Strength:
Though he has strength, sometimes, he struggles against bigger and stronger ops when they come close to the basket. And this becomes a great problem in the area of defense because the top-notch scorers can easily take advantage.
How? Suppose you are a player with a height of 6 feet 5 inches and a weight of 185 pounds, like Austin Reaves. In this case, it will be difficult for you to defend against players in the NBA as most of them are taller and heavier.
2. Lateral Quickness:
Austin Reaves is not that slow, but he isn’t the quickest laterally as well. This is considered a weakness that can bring difficulties while playing with quicker players.
3. Experience:
Last but not least, his experience can make a great difference as he is still young. He is still in the learning process and needs some more time to be an outstanding defender.
But we cannot count him as a noticeable defender completely as compared to some other players. To have a clearer concept about him as a defender, let’s take a look at his defense Rating.
What is Reaves’ Defense Rating?
StatMuse says Reaves’ defense rating is 115.1 for the entire 2023-2024. And other sources, like NBA.com, gave him a slightly different rating of 115.2.
Overall:
Austin Reaves is definitely a good player and is showing his improvement. He is a hard-working and versatile player who is contributing to his team’s defense system.
Does Austin Reaves Play Point Guard?
Not actually a point guard; you can call Austin Reaves a combo guard. Why? Because he can effectively play both shooting guard and point guard.
He is primarily a shooting guard who played for the Lakers in the 2022-23 season and has expressed his desire to play as a point guard in the future.
Now, you might wonder why Reaves is showing his interest in playing in the point guard position. Here is why:
- He can handle the ball very well and create his own shot. This is an attribute of a point guard that helps the player break down the defense.
- Another quality that depicts his interest in playing in a point guard position is he is a good passer. On average, he assisted 4.9 assists per game in the recent season.
- With his sharp IQ, he makes good decisions fast and creates a great impact on the court.
- During the 2023 FIBA World Cup and preseason, he was experimented as a point guard by the Lakers and Team USA.
Therefore, he has been playing as a shooting guard in recent times, but there is a possible chance that can make him play in the point guard position as an effective player in the future.
What is the Height of Austin Reaves?
Austin Reaves’ height is 6 feet 5 inches. His height is above the average of the NBA’s shooting guard. Generally, the NBA’s requirement for the shooting guard position is 6 feet 4 inches. And this is where Reeves gets a slight advantage in terms of reaching and rebounding.
Sometimes, his height allows him to do incredible things on the court. And again, sometimes his height becomes the reason for his disadvantages.
Now, you might wonder what the differences are in being tall. So, let’s explore the advantages and the disadvantages of Revaes’ height that can impact his defensive capabilities:
Advantages:
- His tall height helps him to reach and block shots better.
- The tall height allows Austin Reaves to defend multiple positions like wings and smaller forwards.
- Reaves’s greatest advantage of his height is he can shoot off over smaller defenders. By doing this, he creates space for mid-range jumpers.
Disadvantages:
- Though he is tall, there are players taller than him. And he struggles while scoring against those stronger and taller defenders.
Is Austin Reaves Undrafted?
Currently, Austin Reaves is not an undrafted player. But he has a history of being undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft. However, that incident didn’t make him give up.
He ditched The Detroit Pistons and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. This was a two-way contract. And guess what! It worked as he had planned. He played so well that the Lakers gave him a regular NBA contract in September 2021.
2023 was a career-changing year for him. In the month of October 2023, he got a four-year contract through his impressive performance in court. Now, the Lakers team is looking forward to a bright future with him.
Is Austin Reaves a Two-Way Player?
As I told you before, he started his NBA career as a two-way player with the Los Angeles Lakers, but now he is no longer on that contract anymore. His impressive performance made him a full-fledged member of the Lakers roster.
Conclusion
In my final words, again, I’m saying that Austin Reaves’ defensive prowess remains a topic of debate. He is showing both his strengths and potential to be a good defender. But yes, there are some areas he needs to improve for sure.
His skills in disrupting play and taking charge are definitely contributing to his team’s defense. On the other hand, he is struggling with larger opponents. Also, lateral quickness and lack of experience are the reasons that raise the question of whether is Austin Reaves a good defender.
Therefore, starting his journey in the NBA as an undrafted player and later achieving a regular contract showcases how much dedicated he is. Another fact is his recent interest in evolving into a point guard, which suggests that he has the potential to become a good defender.