Former Los Angeles Lakers star Robert Horry wants Austin Reaves to add a more direct element to his game.
Austin Reaves caused havoc for the LA Lakers with a 27-point performance in their 138-117 win over the Miami Heat.
It was Reaves’ biggest scoring night in five games, just shy of his season-best 29 against the Jazz in the third games of the season.
Reaves is a perfect complement to the dynamic MVP contender Luka Doncic, who scored 42 points to lead the win over Miami.
Speaking to the Lakers’ postgame show on Spectrum, Robert Horry says he would like to see Reaves become a little more direct getting to the basket, and not take too many touches.
He pointed to his own former teammate, Kobe Bryant, claiming that he saw the Lakers’ legend’s game reach another level when he made a tweak to his style.
Horry said: “You don’t think he has that burst of speed, but he does. He’s able to have great body control when he gets in the paint to push off or get his shot off if he gets fouled.
“That’s one thing that he has to really be consistent with and not try to do too much. One of the things that playing with the late great Kobe Bryant is when he was first in the lead, he did a lot of that.
“Then he got to a point where he said, ‘I’m just gonna make quick moves and jump over you or be more athletic.’
“I think AR is getting to that point where he needs to understand it ain’t all about the move, move, move, move. It’s about being direct, getting to your point, and taking your shot.”
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Reaves should cut turnovers
Austin Reaves had five turnovers in the win over Miami. He is averaging 4.8 per game this season, including 8 in recent games against the Warriors and Clippers.
Horry believes this is one element holding Reaves back from becoming an All-Star, recognition that is still within his grasp this season.
He said: “Five is too many. AR, you playing great. Think about it. You shut those five down. You you guarantee be an All Star.
“I think the thing about AR, he’s always gonna be able to get his shots off. He’s always gonna get to the bucket. But sometimes when he dribble, dribble, that’s when he gets himself in trouble.”
This is where Horry’s advice about becoming more direct comes in. But advice to ‘be more like Kobe’ is easier said than done.
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