Kenny Smith destroyed for Austin Reaves-Jeremy Lin comp

The Los Angeles Lakers are without their two best players, LeBron James and Luka Doncic, but that doesn’t mean they will fail. Austin Reeves stepped in their placeand kept the Lakers afloat, scoring at a high level and making plays for others.

In the Lakers last game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Reaves knocked down the game winnerwhich added to his incredible week of basketball. While the Inside the NBA crew was breaking down Kenny Smith’s game-winner made a statement it caught everyone off guard.

“I’m new.” Jeremy Lin“I’m (aka) baby Luka (Doncic) and I’m shooting this shot to win,” Smith said.

“I’m the new Jeremy Lin, I’m (also known as) baby Luka (Doncic) and I’m shooting this shot to win.”

Kenny Smith while taking down Austin Reaves’ winner in Lakers-Timberwolves last night 🗣

(via @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/LKOEh1kEG1

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 30, 2025

The rest of the crew disagreed with Smith’s comments.

“Jeremy Lynn is a little bit of a stretch,” Ernie Johnson said.

“He’s been good for a couple of years,” Charles Barkley said.

If Smith thought he was just going to get warmed up by his guys at the table, he was wrong. Reddit had a field day with Smith’s comments, and it almost felt like they were disappointed by the comparison he made.

“What lol? He’s in his 5th season. He’s already started 26 playoff games,” said one user.

“And his career was already 43. 51 didn’t come out of nowhere.’ Just say you’re not paying attention to Kenny and move on,” said another user.

Smith was definitely great at it, especially when you look at how Lin came on the scene. He just happened to come out of nowhere and had a big chunk of games for the New York Knicks. Before that, nobody knew much about him.

As for Reaves, he has played well the past few years and helped the Lakers make the playoffs. Reaves was an associate for a time; Lynn is just getting started.

In order for the Lakers to continue winning while Doncic and James are out, Reaves will need to continue to play at a high level. He may not have to score 40 and 50 points a game, but he has to have a big impact on the game. At the same time, other players in the team have to step up.

Doncic should be out for a long time, so if Reaves can hold down the fort a little longer, the Lakers should be in good shape.