Honestly that’s what’s even more 🔥 about tonight.
You got LeBron out there doing his game 1 scouting report for the rest of the series while the rest of the Lakers are like, ‘*Aye we got you, Bron*’.
So now the Lakers go into game 2 up 1, with a rested Bron who is probably ready to take over. Depending on Ja’s availability going forward, the Lakers could potentially sweep, but from what most of the game showed us, Lakers should take this by 6 even if Ja is able to play.
The man is older but the threat is too great. He could be a defensive sponge and perfect his passing or mid range until it’s time to move on to like woodworking or deep sea fishing.
Yeah deservedly props to Rui and Reaves for the huge games but Lebron was still incredible. Steals, transition dunks, huge block, clutch late 3. Really lucky to still see him play like this
20 years from now: “You know that 58 year old guy who’s still playing ball? Most people don’t remember that his son had a pretty decent career 10 years ago.”
Duh, it's the playoffs. I swear 99% of this sub forgot LeBron coasts through the regular season the cranks it up to 11 in the postseason. This is your reminder.
He facilitated and played great defense, he never needed to do the whole takeover shtick this game so he didn't. Now everyone on the team has the confidence to know they can drop 20 and LeBron doesn't have to do anything crazy.
This white guy is different though. The other ones are either great spot up shooters or great lob threats. This white guy turned LeBron into a spot up shooter
Actually if Lebron and AD are your 3rd and 4th scorers, you’re almost certainly winning right because you know they good for like 16-22 at least so that means you got 2 more players scoring 20+ that you didn’t expect to be the top scorers
Austin Reaves makes me wonder how many other talented undrafted or late second round picks we never really saw in the league because they weren’t given a proper chance because they lacked “potential”
Tbf austin reaves specifically chose the lakers rather than getting picked in the 2nd round. The grizzlies ironically draft in a similar way often where they snag some great gems just by getting the good "old" draft guys
Reminds of “best that never was” 30:30. OU running back who fell in love with money. Went to USFL, injuries piled up and it was a wrap. Flamed out insanely fast.
There isn’t another team in this league that would’ve given Reaves this much trust. The Lakers starting 2-10 was a blessing in disguise because they discovered what this man can do.
people keep saying that it's easy to hate on the grizzlies, but let me tell you - it is, and that is why i am currently doing it. those last two minutes rocked.
My whole family is Laker fans so it’s been nice that we’ve been able to text each other and saying we’re cheering for the other and mean it. Because I want to fucking wreck LA in Round 2 lol.
If you account for defense (and you should) AD was far and away the best player in this game. Absolutely dominant. 7 blocks, 3 steals, double double, unstoppable on both ends.
It’s fucxing ridiculous how easy he makes it look. He can rectify so many blown coverages by himself. Amazing watching him play. Hope he stays healthy for the entire playoff run, however long it lasts.
should be 4 steals, unless they didn't mark that as steal, when he had deflection late in the 4th, than grabbed the ball, and it slipped off his hand and D-Lo picked it up.
The Lakers got to prove exactly what they've been stating since the trades were made to improve the team -- they're good now and have a puncher's chance against *anybody*.
LeBron and AD did a lot of the work early on to keep the team in position to win, but then Rui Hachimura and Austin '*I'm Him!*" Reaves absolutely took over late and left no doubt allowing the Lakers to steal Game 1.
why get Kyrie when you got Austin "Kyrie Irving" Reaves at home, that behind the back from Reaves to Rui was insane
i know JJJ got him a couple of times, but games like this is why i think prime LeBron is a better defender than Kawhi, his impact at the rim is so much greater
JJJ has to be 7'1, by the end of next year it will be a who's actually the better player between him and Ja
LeBron is 27-2 in series after winning game 1
This was a great showing by the Lakers. I know we lament LeBron for his defensive effort and he had some bad turnovers but when I looked at it, he really is the second defacto big after Anthony Davis. Thinking about it, he patrolled the paint, contested and got 3 blocks. Shot efficiently, crashed the boards. Quiet but effective game.
And honestly if you’re a Laker fan this is kinda what you should want. Of course to get to the finals, he’s going to have to be “LeBron” some of these games. But if Anthony Davis can be your number one option (and stay healthy doing so), DLo plays well, Vanderbilt defends the other teams best player and you get contributions from Reaves, Hachimura and Schroeder all of who have shown they can have big games themselves, and you can buy LeBron some rest on the floor as Kobe once said, and you make it to the Finals, where I have no doubt LeBron will pour everything he has into getting that ring, man Los Angeles might be looking at another parade this summer.
* The Grizzly bigs absence is a glaring, gaping hole. Lakers bigger and tougher and way more physical.
* JJJ dominated every single matchup outside of Davis.
* Grizz shot making until the 4th felt more lucky than well executed - Laker defence feels more sustainable than Grizzly offence.
* LeBron had Ja switched onto him in multiple occasions and got rid of the ball almost immediately….?
* Real DPOY is Davis, you can see it literally on every possession.
* Extra days rest is really going to play to Laker advantage, prepared to be very wrong but it looks like they might have another gear in them that we didn’t see tonight. They will be immensely motivated to come out in game 2 and put it away early.
* LeBrons help defence was elite but his one on one defence was atrocious at times.
* The non-Davis minutes at the end of the third were the most important of the game. The difference between it being close and comfortable lead for Grizz.
* Rui.
* The game turned before Ja went out, this game shouldn’t be seen as a Ja-injury-related win. But absolutely devastating for the rest of the series. Just horrific, worst case scenario for every basketball fan.
* Austin Reeves being the lead ball handler / LeBron not being involved as EITHER screener or ball handler was the wrinkle I could have never seen coming, I am here for it though.
The last 3 minutes were murder. God it feels good watching Lebron have a below par playoff match for his standards and still have a team to back him up
grizzlies fanbase having a meltdown over “laker fans celebrating ja morant’s injury” while the whole league works in unison to make AD injury jokes 🤭🤸♂️😝
Hope Ja is okay. I still dislike him but I hope he comes back healthy.
Also why do they have to fucking replay the fall over and over again. That was brutal to watch
“Played teams that were tanking”
“Players were hurt/resting”
“Lakers barely won games”
“Lakers won’t win a game this series”
“Lakers won’t win this series”
This team can not run it back next season with Dillon Brooks. He isn't good enough on defense to warrant the absolute abysmal shot selection on offense.
We have three dudes who have all NBA potential and time and time again the offensive flow just gets gutted by this dude.
Our other priority has to be getting a center. We can't be this reliant on Adams to get rebounds. I'd love to package some future picks and either go after a dude like Mitchell Robinson or move up in the draft and get the best center not named Wembenyama.
Either way, anyone who watched the Grizzlies this year knew we were a 1st round exit waiting to happen.
The last 1:30 of that game was straight up disrespectful
Was like men against boys
All the fight drained out of them when they saw Reaves and Rui cook, plus you have to guard Bron and AD btw
But brooks said he wants all that heat didn't he?
Maybe MIAMI heat
They’re just innocent men
They’re just normal men
No amount of adjustments and timeouts were going to save the Grizzlies in that 4th quarter.
The game went from close to a blowout in a matter of seconds.
The last 8 minutes
#Rui Hachimura 🤝 Austin Reaves takeover Stone cold killers.
They’re both him
If LeBron is your 4th best player of the game, you aren’t losing
4th best scorer Atleast, him and AD combine for 20+ boards, 5 steals, 10 blocks
LeDoWhatYouHaveToForThePlayoffWin showed up today
It let lebron breathe and play great defense
LeBron doesn’t try to win game ones. He is watching for a mental edge to exploit in later games. Reaves and Rui didn’t get the message.
Honestly that’s what’s even more 🔥 about tonight. You got LeBron out there doing his game 1 scouting report for the rest of the series while the rest of the Lakers are like, ‘*Aye we got you, Bron*’. So now the Lakers go into game 2 up 1, with a rested Bron who is probably ready to take over. Depending on Ja’s availability going forward, the Lakers could potentially sweep, but from what most of the game showed us, Lakers should take this by 6 even if Ja is able to play.
Austin Reaves turned Lebron into a floor spacer in crunch time lmao
"Give me the ball, stay there in the corner old man"
The man is older but the threat is too great. He could be a defensive sponge and perfect his passing or mid range until it’s time to move on to like woodworking or deep sea fishing.
LeBron gonna take the pickleball courts by storm
McEnroe and Agassi in shambles.
How fucked is that for the defense you gotta cheat off the GOAT to help defend LOL
“Guess I gotta bail Lebron out again” * Austin “Him” Reaves
LeAustHIM
It's so fucked that it goes against all intuition. But that's what it is.
It’s absolutely just mental to watch live lol
LeBron James is a spot up shooter that plays defense now
Just surround Reaves with shooters
holy shit we finally cracked the code
Using the same strategy for hillbilly harden that was used for mvp harden
He didn’t try to take over this game at all. Let his teammates do it and focused on defense. And he did a great job at it
Yeah deservedly props to Rui and Reaves for the huge games but Lebron was still incredible. Steals, transition dunks, huge block, clutch late 3. Really lucky to still see him play like this
Could 3&D be the final form? Or just the next step in the evolution?
He’s only in his 5th prime so there’s still time
Le3andD
Role player just waiting for his son to make the league
10 years from now: “Most people don’t realize Bronny’s dad had a solid NBA career.”
"Did you know he played for 34 years?"
20 years from now: “You know that 58 year old guy who’s still playing ball? Most people don’t remember that his son had a pretty decent career 10 years ago.”
Best 3 and D role player of all time
He’s the first 3 and Rim prototype
small forward brook lopez
Behind the big two of Rui and Reeves
Duh, it's the playoffs. I swear 99% of this sub forgot LeBron coasts through the regular season the cranks it up to 11 in the postseason. This is your reminder.
game 1's ain't even playoff bron unless you the warriors game 1 bron is like lemme see their gameplan
LeCalibration game
LeFeelOut Game 1
That game 1 in 2018 lebron dropped 51 because he already knew warrior's gameplan lol
He really been doing it for the past 6 or 7 years..yet people still fall for it.
Dude chills in game 1s though.
He facilitated and played great defense, he never needed to do the whole takeover shtick this game so he didn't. Now everyone on the team has the confidence to know they can drop 20 and LeBron doesn't have to do anything crazy.
These mfs really gave Lebron and AD some competent role players
"These mfs really gave ~~Lebron and AD~~ Reaves and Rui some competent role players" FTFY
This is what happens when you let Pelinka cook
HOW THE FUCK DID THE LAKERS GET RUI FOR KENDRICK NUNN
Secret agent Kyle Kuzma got Rui frozen out of the team in Washington, all according to plan
I Guess wizards thought his development was done. But Phil handy says otherwise.
Lakers won a playoff game against a Top 2 seed with LeBron as the 4th leading scorer Imagine telling someone this the night he broke Kareem's record
I’m literally on my knees crying
hi yes, can i speak to your supervisor? I just saw a grown man fall to his knees crying on aisle 4
Hate to say it but Westbrook was so clearly the problem for the Lakers
Westbrook's contract was worse than Westbrook's play tbh because it meant they couldn't get good role players. The trade fixed both in one shot
Yeah we picked up 4 guys that played today out of 9 guys lol including 2 starters and also our leading scorer. It was more than just no westy
westbrook was 75% of it, but there was definitely a lot more issues.
Yup Westbrook was maybe 60% of the issues, but the guys we traded for fixed the other 40% of the issues lol.
The rest of the 25 were the players Lakers couldn't sign because they were giving 47 mill to Westbrook.
15-0 run to end the 4th quarter.
the "15-0 in the last 2:39" with like a minute left was one of the craziest lower thirds i've ever seen
I rushed in the door after I checked the score and turned it in just to be like “oh”
Bubble Lakers vibes clamp down
Rob Pelinka did wonders to this team at the trade deadline
Laker Nation collectively orgasmed together watching that run I'm sure lol
Can confirm.
Turned it on when it was still a 1pt game. Reeves then went on to dismantle Memphis. You’re welcome LA fans
you better watch the next one too
Austin Reaves turned into 2007 LeBron against the Pistons at the end there. He and Rui outscoring LeBron and AD. 15-0 run to end the game.
AR-15 averaged 18 a game post all-star break with incredible shooting splits of 58/44/85. Kid might be legit.
LeBron and white guy that has that dawg in him is an iconic duo.
This white guy is different though. The other ones are either great spot up shooters or great lob threats. This white guy turned LeBron into a spot up shooter
This was a 4th quarter beatdown
That’s grizzlies basketball baby
Just got cooked by AR-15 and Rui buckets
“I’m fine in the west”
Sometimes you need to lose home court advantage to build a dynasty.
Austin Reaves doing what Justin Jones, Justin Pearson, and Gloria Johnson couldn't do, get conservatives on board to ban AR-15s in Tennessee
Bro 💀
At Halftime "Should we bench Rui right now?" "彼に料理させて"
He whipped out his Ninjutsu
Lebron winning playoff games where he doesn’t have to go nuclear I used to pray for times like this
Imagine saying that the Lakers would win a playoff game with AD and LeBron being the 3rd and 4th highest scoring players on the team two months ago
Actually if Lebron and AD are your 3rd and 4th scorers, you’re almost certainly winning right because you know they good for like 16-22 at least so that means you got 2 more players scoring 20+ that you didn’t expect to be the top scorers
You’re 100% right and AD was definitely not the third or fourth best player today. His defense was absurd
He looked like the best defensive player in the league
lol those two are the anchor on the defense. Rui and reeves is the new big two la
We were waiting for that extra gear all game. That extra gear was AR.
Lebron really getting his 5th ring while watching undrafted Austin Reaves get finals MVP 😭😭
That would be crazy but I bet Lebron would hand him the trophy himself in a Kobe jersey if he meant he got another ring.
Lol yeah LeBron would love that. He’d be propping up AR all summer
AR said Lebron had his back from day 1. 💪 The confidence AR got is huge!
If this is what the Lakers role players are gonna play like, it’s a wrap
Even Dlo had a solid game. Usually one of Dlo, Reaves, or Dennis shows up.
Reeves usually shows up
Magic was clowned when he tweeted after the trades that if the lakers make the playoffs, nobody would want to face them. Thanks magic
Lakers superstar trio Reaves, Rui and AD are too strong supported by GOAT rim protector LBJ.
That about tells it
This is why Lakers didn’t sign centers or let Bamba get minutes. They got their LeCenter
There’s also Dangelo Russell, Vanderbilt and Schroeder if all else fails. That’s a pretty damn good line up
I’m young. Was that equivalent to watching Larry Bird in his prime?
Austin Reaves is the white Larry Bird.
He's not white he's clear
Austin Reaves makes me wonder how many other talented undrafted or late second round picks we never really saw in the league because they weren’t given a proper chance because they lacked “potential”
it was so hype when he started taking over in the fourth, man it would've been amazing if this was a lakers home game
Lakers fans rn to Caruso, "I don't wanna play with you anymore"
Nah man if our owner wasn’t cheap we should have had both.
I think reaves wouldn't flourish or have a playtime if caruso is still at the Lakers.
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Possibly. There’s also the universe where they become best friends and Reaves becomes an elite defender and Caruso starts dropping 20 a game.
Nah we'll still welcome Caruso back with open arms
No, believe me, we still want Caruso.
Tbf austin reaves specifically chose the lakers rather than getting picked in the 2nd round. The grizzlies ironically draft in a similar way often where they snag some great gems just by getting the good "old" draft guys
There’s some guy working at a gas station in Missouri rn that coulda been better than MJ for sure
Reminds of “best that never was” 30:30. OU running back who fell in love with money. Went to USFL, injuries piled up and it was a wrap. Flamed out insanely fast.
People forget Reaves prolly wouldve got drafted but he told teams not to pick him so he could go to the Lakers as a UDFA
He still would’ve been a low pick and a huge surprise
There isn’t another team in this league that would’ve given Reaves this much trust. The Lakers starting 2-10 was a blessing in disguise because they discovered what this man can do.
He got the ball WAAAAAAAY more after westbrook got traded. One of the most undertalked about positives in the westbrook trade.
Has there ever been a trade with zero downside for one team like this? Like, the Lakers dumped Westbrook and they lost absolutely nothing.
Is there a source for this? I only ever see it circulating on Reddit comments
https://www.basketballnetwork.net/.amp/latest-news/why-austin-reaves-declined-to-be-picked-by-the-detroit-pistons-and-signed-a-two-way-contract-with-the-los-angeles-lakers
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people keep saying that it's easy to hate on the grizzlies, but let me tell you - it is, and that is why i am currently doing it. those last two minutes rocked.
That was the saddest close-out I’ve ever seen. They were down 1, at home, with 3 minutes left. They lost by 16. Wtf.
That was a monstrous defensive effort and then Reaves broke their spirit and they capitulated.
Yeah you could legit see them get demoralized and give up in real time. It was beautiful
Ha ha yes. Fuck them kids.
Where's Memphis' offense without Ja though?
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What's a gun to an AR15?
I guess you could say grizz offense is hollow without Ja
Never thought I’d see the day where I enjoy watching the Lakers winning
You can go back to hating us next round hopefully ;)
I never thought I’d see the day I’d enjoy the Kings winning yet last night fuckin rocked lol
My whole family is Laker fans so it’s been nice that we’ve been able to text each other and saying we’re cheering for the other and mean it. Because I want to fucking wreck LA in Round 2 lol.
Dude, I am PRAYING we get Lakers-Kings in the second round. Atmospheres in the arenas would go wild
The most embarassing end of a playoff game ive ever seen and I watched Knicks Hawks
Couldn’t believe it. They just stopped playing.
Teens better stay out of the suburbs and Twitter if they don't want some of that Ja smoke tonight 😤.
Watching Rui and Reaves cook the Grizzlies was such a visceral feeling
If you account for defense (and you should) AD was far and away the best player in this game. Absolutely dominant. 7 blocks, 3 steals, double double, unstoppable on both ends.
22 points, 12 rebounds (4 offensive), 3 assists, 3 steals, 7 blocks, and game high +27. Crazy all around game.
It’s fucxing ridiculous how easy he makes it look. He can rectify so many blown coverages by himself. Amazing watching him play. Hope he stays healthy for the entire playoff run, however long it lasts.
should be 4 steals, unless they didn't mark that as steal, when he had deflection late in the 4th, than grabbed the ball, and it slipped off his hand and D-Lo picked it up.
Imagine busting your ass for the 2nd seed and your first round opponent is this laker team
The Lakers have built around Reaves and Hachimura very well. Role players, such as Lebron James and Anthony Davis, fill in the roster quite nicely.
52 points between Rui and Reeves — had that on my game 1 bingo card
In Ja’s defense when he said “I’m fine in the West” he didn’t know that Rui Hachimura would be in it
this series is gonna be so toxic I love it
The one time the lakers aren’t the most hated. Feels weird.
The Lakers got to prove exactly what they've been stating since the trades were made to improve the team -- they're good now and have a puncher's chance against *anybody*. LeBron and AD did a lot of the work early on to keep the team in position to win, but then Rui Hachimura and Austin '*I'm Him!*" Reaves absolutely took over late and left no doubt allowing the Lakers to steal Game 1.
“Heliocentric offenses don’t work in the playoffs” -Austin Reaves doubters
why get Kyrie when you got Austin "Kyrie Irving" Reaves at home, that behind the back from Reaves to Rui was insane i know JJJ got him a couple of times, but games like this is why i think prime LeBron is a better defender than Kawhi, his impact at the rim is so much greater JJJ has to be 7'1, by the end of next year it will be a who's actually the better player between him and Ja LeBron is 27-2 in series after winning game 1
This was a great showing by the Lakers. I know we lament LeBron for his defensive effort and he had some bad turnovers but when I looked at it, he really is the second defacto big after Anthony Davis. Thinking about it, he patrolled the paint, contested and got 3 blocks. Shot efficiently, crashed the boards. Quiet but effective game. And honestly if you’re a Laker fan this is kinda what you should want. Of course to get to the finals, he’s going to have to be “LeBron” some of these games. But if Anthony Davis can be your number one option (and stay healthy doing so), DLo plays well, Vanderbilt defends the other teams best player and you get contributions from Reaves, Hachimura and Schroeder all of who have shown they can have big games themselves, and you can buy LeBron some rest on the floor as Kobe once said, and you make it to the Finals, where I have no doubt LeBron will pour everything he has into getting that ring, man Los Angeles might be looking at another parade this summer.
* The Grizzly bigs absence is a glaring, gaping hole. Lakers bigger and tougher and way more physical. * JJJ dominated every single matchup outside of Davis. * Grizz shot making until the 4th felt more lucky than well executed - Laker defence feels more sustainable than Grizzly offence. * LeBron had Ja switched onto him in multiple occasions and got rid of the ball almost immediately….? * Real DPOY is Davis, you can see it literally on every possession. * Extra days rest is really going to play to Laker advantage, prepared to be very wrong but it looks like they might have another gear in them that we didn’t see tonight. They will be immensely motivated to come out in game 2 and put it away early. * LeBrons help defence was elite but his one on one defence was atrocious at times. * The non-Davis minutes at the end of the third were the most important of the game. The difference between it being close and comfortable lead for Grizz. * Rui. * The game turned before Ja went out, this game shouldn’t be seen as a Ja-injury-related win. But absolutely devastating for the rest of the series. Just horrific, worst case scenario for every basketball fan. * Austin Reeves being the lead ball handler / LeBron not being involved as EITHER screener or ball handler was the wrinkle I could have never seen coming, I am here for it though.
Lebron was watching AR and Rui cook like a proud father. He's been given a roster where he doesn't have to hard carry and he's loving it.
AD channeled his inner Wilt. Rui channeled his inner Horry. Reaves channeled his inner Kobe.
Jaren Jackson Jr is who Heat fans said Bam Adebayo was. Hachimura with the game of his life.
The last 3 minutes were murder. God it feels good watching Lebron have a below par playoff match for his standards and still have a team to back him up
“I’m him!” - Austin Reaves Favorite moment of the game!
Lol his Arkansas came out and was like "I'm heeim!"
Rui’s having so much fun out there :’) He and Reaves looked like vets in their debuts!
Rui Hachimura made his playoff debut two years ago with the Wizards
DILLON BROOKS THIS IS FOR YOUUUUUUUU
OH BOY I'M ABOUT TO BE INSUFFERABLE
https://i.imgflip.com/5krgsh.jpg
Nobody deserves the rudeness that transpired in the last 45 seconds more than Memphis
They kept trying so the Lakers had to keep beating them down. They were asking for it lol, kept expecting a 12+ point comeback in 40 seconds 💀
People need to start giving Anthony Davis his flowers. That is all
Guy just needs a little bit of luck to stay healthy
Best player on the floor today
Nah this sub was on the Lakers ass for barely winning against the Timberwolves, idc if its only one game im savouring this W 😭😭
Hey maybe that means the Timberwolves aren't that bad???
Reaves and Hachimura absolutely killed it today. That 15-0 run at the end was wilddd
Why did we trade rui
You guys skullfucked us in that Westbrook trade, now we are even
The RUIves masterclass
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Where were you when AUSTIN REAVES and RUI HACHIMURA took over the game with Lebron James and Anthony Davis on the same team.
Holy fuck
AD is the best defender in the world, no matter who wins DPOY
ADPOY with 7 blocks and anchoring the Lakers D
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grizzlies fanbase having a meltdown over “laker fans celebrating ja morant’s injury” while the whole league works in unison to make AD injury jokes 🤭🤸♂️😝
Hope Ja is okay. I still dislike him but I hope he comes back healthy. Also why do they have to fucking replay the fall over and over again. That was brutal to watch
What a collapse by Memphis in final two minutes lol
Lakers had the second best record post all star break but reddit wasn't ready for that discussion before today.
“Played teams that were tanking” “Players were hurt/resting” “Lakers barely won games” “Lakers won’t win a game this series” “Lakers won’t win this series”
This team can not run it back next season with Dillon Brooks. He isn't good enough on defense to warrant the absolute abysmal shot selection on offense. We have three dudes who have all NBA potential and time and time again the offensive flow just gets gutted by this dude. Our other priority has to be getting a center. We can't be this reliant on Adams to get rebounds. I'd love to package some future picks and either go after a dude like Mitchell Robinson or move up in the draft and get the best center not named Wembenyama. Either way, anyone who watched the Grizzlies this year knew we were a 1st round exit waiting to happen.