JJ Redick dismisses Austin Reaves’ All-Star streak

LOS ANGELES – NBA All Star voting began last week, and for Los Angeles Lakers, Austin Reaves pitched for his first All-Star appearance. Reaves is currently sidelined with a calf injurybut the head coach of the Lakers JJ Redick said yes he is from day to day at this point, according to Dave McMenamin

After the Lakers’ practice on Monday, JJ Redick talked about why he thinks Austin Reaves is worthy of being named an All-Star for the first time this season, and what the honor would mean to Reaves.

“I guess it would mean a lot to him. He and I talked about how surreal it is for him to play at this level and at this position. Obviously I absolutely think he should be an All-Star this year,” Redick said. “You always have to be careful as an athlete, stop and smell the roses. That’s the nature of the competition. When 82 games are played, there’s not really time to take your foot off the gas. It’s the off-season.”

“I think he’s the type of player who always wants to be better, always wants more,” Redick continued. He’s willing to work hard, and he’s willing to go out there and play hard enough to really want more. He’s proven that time and time again.”

Although Reaves took a huge leap this season in terms of numbers, that ability and potential was something Redick realized even before he coached him. One of the first things Redick told Reaves when he first took over as head coach was that this would be a legitimate outcome.

“Our first conversation when I took the job was, ‘You’re going to be an All-Star,'” Redick recalled. “I don’t like to go to every player and say that. I actually said that because I believe in it.”

Before the calf injury, Reaves appeared in 21 games with just over 36 minutes per game. He averaged a career-high 27.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.0 steals on 50.3 percent shooting from the field, 36.9 percent from 3-point range and 87.5 percent from the free throw line. His rebounds and assists are also career highs.

Earlier this season, Reaves dropped a record 51 points in a win against the Sacramento Kings, a game in which both LeBron James and Luka Doncic were sidelined. A few nights later, he hit the game-winner against the Minnesota Timberwolves, another game the Lakers played without their other two stars.

With Reaves day-to-day, the earliest he could return to the lineup is Tuesday when the Lakers travel to face the Phoenix Suns. They then return home for a Christmas showdown against the Houston Rockets.