JJ Redick on Austin Reaves' recent struggles
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Earlier this season, it looked like Austin Reaves was becoming a superstar, or at least a borderline superstar. In his first 19 games this season, he averaged 29.3 points a game, and it seemed certain that he would be voted onto the NBA All-Star team for the first time.
But in December, Reaves suffered a calf strain that cost him several weeks of action, and it may have been the reason he didn't earn an All-Star nod. Since returning, his offensive production has gone down, and his shooting efficiency has been inconsistent. Some have been wondering if his hot start to the season was fool's gold.
Coach JJ Redick discussed Reaves' recent struggles and getting the guard going ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Indiana Pacers on Friday.
“Austin and I talked,” Redick said. “In the same way that LeBron [James] sort of is hunting those transition opportunities, Austin, when he gets those throw-aheads, has to hunt those paint touch opportunities and sort of make plays out of that. We can obviously do a better job of calling a play for him.
“Last two games we’ve given him a minute less with Luke and a minute more with LeBron in the substitution matrix, so I think that’s given him a little bit more on-ball duties, But, look, I’d have to look back at last year or the beginning of the season when we did have those three for those few games, his usage percentage is like 1% lower. It’s not like something drastic.”
Reaves made his return on Feb. 3, and in his first 14 games back, he reached the 20-point mark just twice. But on Sunday, the Lakers downed the New York Knicks 110-97, and with James out of action, Reaves looked a lot like his old self.
He scored 25 points and shot 50% from both the field and 3-point range while adding five assists, three steals and one block. He was able to get into the paint quite often, and he made shots with regularity near the basket.
It's too early to say that Reaves has broken out of his rut, but a performance like that will certainly help, especially since several tough opponents coming up for the Lakers over the next couple of weeks.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: JJ Redick on Austin Reaves' recent struggles
