Austin Reaves and LeBron James said their goodbyes before leaving the Lakers’ locker room last May, knowing that their futures were uncertain. Reaves now says he misses James, even though he understood why James chose to leave Los Angeles.
“I wasn’t a LeBron fan growing up. I was a Kobe [Bryant] guy,” Reaves said, when asked what he remembered about the hug the two shared on their final night as teammates. The Lakers had just finished off an opening night 127-105 thrashing of the Golden State Warriors.
“But then getting to know him as a human was one of the coolest things I’ve been able to experience.”
Reaves Understood James’ Decision
Reaves went into the offseason hoping that both players would return to the Lakers. He also recognized the financial and roster-building reasons that would lead James to start over in Philadelphia. Reaves signed a four-year, $180 million deal to stay with Los Angeles, while James signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Sixers.
James, who put up 14 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in Philadelphia’s opening night win in New York on Tuesday, had accepted a co-starring role alongside Reaves and Luka Doncic. That arrangement was a sacrifice for him, not a choice he made for himself. Free agency gave James a choice for the first time in eight years, and he chose to play elsewhere.
Reaves said he understood James’ choice. The two still text each other often, and James recently sent him a pair of shoes. Still, Reaves misses his former teammate, and the Lakers have a large hole to fill.
“I never disregarded the basketball player he was when I was younger. I knew he was great, but then to full-circle being on the team with him, and then him giving me confidence every single day was incredible,” Reaves said. “It gave me a better outlook on judging people because he treated me the same from the day he met me when I was a two-way player, to when I call him right now. I think that’s what I miss the most.”
Reaves is now the longest-tenured Laker, having spent the last six seasons in Los Angeles. Bronny James is next, entering his third season with the team, followed by Doncic, who has been in L.A. for 18 months. Jake LaRavia is fourth, in just his second season with the franchise.
Kerr Reflects on the Rivalry
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr discussed the change before the game. “It’s weird not seeing him tonight and seeing him in a Sixers jersey last night,” Kerr said.
The matchup was a familiar one for both teams, marking the fourth time in six years the NBA has paired them on opening night. Kerr’s rivalry with James runs even deeper, dating to the four straight years Golden State faced James’ Cavaliers teams in the Finals.
“Those Finals will live in the history of both franchises forever,” Kerr said. “That was an iconic era for both teams.
“This is a new Lakers team, and a new Warriors team.”
Doncic Steps Into the Spotlight
On opening night, Doncic stepped into the leading role with a series of grand gestures on and off the court. He took out a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times addressed directly to the fans. He also offered free parking in a nearby lot and free bike rides to the game.
“I know they work hard to get to the games, to get to the arena,” Doncic said afterward. “So I’ve always had something in me that I need to have that connection with the fans. So just trying to welcome them to the new season so that they know that we really appreciate the support.”
Before tipoff, Doncic grabbed a microphone and addressed the home crowd.
“Hello, Laker Nation,” Doncic said. “Thank you for supporting us. It’s the start of something new. It’s going to be a special season, so thank you for your support.”
Reaves could hardly believe what he heard. “I heard his voice and I was like, ‘What the hell’s going on?'” Reaves said. “There’s no way this is actually him.”
Doncic is a showman on the court, but he is generally soft-spoken and brief with his public comments. Reaves said the gestures showed how committed Doncic is to the team.
“It just shows that he’s bought in, he’s all-in,” Reaves said. “Even in Slovenia [where Doncic hosted the team] he paid for everything. When his heart’s somewhere … He’s going to take care of the community that he’s in, he’s going to take care of the people that’s around him.”
Doncic also took care of his teammates on the court Wednesday. He scored 28 points and dished out seven assists, while new center Walker Kessler put up a statistical line that rivaled some of the game’s biggest names. Kessler made 12 field goals without a miss, the most by a Lakers player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1969. His 10 dunks were the most in a game since Shaquille O’Neal had 11 dunks, twice in the 2003 season.
Doncic’s best moment came with a half-court shot that beat the halftime buzzer. The play was the kind that led James to call him “Luka Magic,” and it brought the sellout crowd to its feet.
“I knew that was going up before I got it in my hands,” Doncic said, smiling. “I work on those.”
His style differs greatly from James’, but the responsibility they carry remains the same.
“The Lakers [are] one of the biggest organizations in the world, if not the biggest,” Doncic said. “It’s an honor to be the face of the franchise and I hope I can stay here a long time.”