Austin Reaves nickname: Why is the Los Angeles Lakers stud called Hillbilly Kobe
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Austin Reaves
Although Austin Reaves is young, the Lakers have benefited greatly from his constant presence. The second-year player, an undrafted free agent, has assisted in rescuing his team’s season. Reaves and Anthony Davis have contributed greatly to their team’s resurgence in the past weeks. The LA Lakers’ fan base has come to adore Austin Reaves for his contributions and has given him 2 nicknames.
Reaves displayed a level of poise on the court that is uncommon among younger players, especially those who are undrafted. The sophomore has been compared to a semi-automatic weapon and Kobe Bryant. “Hillbilly Kobe” has its roots in his time as a student at the University of Oklahoma. Reaves claimed that before it stuck and followed him to the NBA, a graduate assistant had initially called him that.
Explaining its origin Reaves said, “He came up to me one day and was like, ‘I figured it out.’ I was like, ‘What are you even talking about?’ He was like, ‘HBK.’ I was like, ‘What?’ He was like, ‘Hillbilly Kobe.’ Then, one of the teammates heard it and it stuck. For three years, that’s what they said around just Oklahoma and then I guess people caught wind of it elsewhere. I mean, it is what it is. I just move forward from it.”
Reaves does not want his brand, “AR-15,” to be associated with a weapon, particularly one that has been used in numerous horrific shootings in the US. “I don’t condone any gun violence that happens around our country. But you can’t really control what [nickname] people give you. I mean, I didn’t come out and say my name was that. There have been others, like the ‘Hillbilly Kobe,’ that probably aren’t the best thing in the situation that’s going on, with Kobe’s passing.”
With Anthony Davis out indefinitely all eyes are on Austin Reaves
One could have believed that the Los Angeles Lakers would have had a great chance to win without Anthony Davis with the 8-24 Charlotte Hornets visiting the town. Instead, The Lakers’ issues persisted.
The most striking numbers were the Hornets‘ 29 fast-break points compared to the Lakers’ 10, and the 17 turnovers of the Hollywood-based team that resulted in 32 points for the Hornets. The Purple and Gold once again displayed poor defensive play, allowing 40 points in the second quarter and had a 16-point deficit in the third quarter.
After missing two games due to an ankle injury, Reaves made a strong comeback, scoring 20 points, LeBron James scored 34 points but clearly, it wasn’t enough to edge past the Hornets. In order to keep their Playoff hopes alive the Lakers will need all their stars, especially Austin Reaves to make important contributions to make up for the void left by Anthony Davis’s absence.
So far this season Austin Reaves is averaging 11.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.4 blocks per game. He brought the shooting numbers up for the team. But with AD being out and other stars not living up to the expectations everyone had around them. Reaves will have to step up on the scoring end and back LeBron James up to play some winning basketball. Or else it would be nothing but another waste season for the Lakers.
Also Read: Anthony Davis’ Injury: The Brow gets ruled out indefinitely after serious foot injury
Also Read: Kendrick Perkins reckons to gift Duncan Robinson to help LeBron James, LA Lakers turn tables around
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Abhivyakt Sharma
(270 Articles Published)