Austin Reaves shares how LA Lakers players are telling Mamu to develop his game, ‘great things happen’

Mamu earned cheers from the Lakers fans in attendance with his willingness to drive the ball up the court. Speaking postgame, Austin Reaves says Lakers players have already identified this as a trait they want to see more of.

Reaves said: “Great things happen when he does it. I told him after it happened ‘you should do that more’, and he said ‘OK’, so we’ll see if he does it.

“Every time he gets a rebound we are encouraging him to push the pace. We are very excited for what he brings to the team’s table.”

Mamu signed as a free agent after a stint with the Toronto Raptors. He had previously played for the San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks.

He has been one of the most eye-catching players in preseason for the Lakers, and his versatility is going to help with JJ Redick’s goal of playing 50 different lineups this season.

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First run for Reaves, Doncic and Kessler

The game was the first opportunity for the Lakers to get Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic alongside Walker Kessler, ahead of next week’s tip off.

Kessler admitted after the game there was ‘rust’ on his behalf, which got exposed at times trying to defend against Nikola Jokic.

The new signing was a -21 on the floor, posting 6-6-4, while Jokic helped himself to a 17-6-8 stat line.

Reaves scored 18 points and Doncic 15, so Mamu’s 15 from the bench was a useful contribution, even if it could not prevent a 106-121 loss.

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