Memorable Moments with LeBron James and Austin Reaves
More than four years have passed since a memorable moment featuring LeBron James and Austin Reaves became a sensation online. Recently, snippets from the “Mind The Game” podcast, hosted by James and Steve Nash, shed light on the curious exchange that captured fans’ attention.
The Game in Brooklyn
In January 2022, during a game in Brooklyn, the Los Angeles Lakers found themselves comfortably ahead of the Brooklyn Nets by a margin of 15 points with just over two minutes left on the clock. Reaves looked visibly puzzled, leading to a humorous exchange discussed on the podcast.
Reaves recalled his confusion over James remaining in the game, expressing his thought, “Why was Bron even in the game right now? It’s over.”
Nash chimed in, offering insight into James’ probable mindset:
“He’s saying, ‘Why the f— is he still in the game talking about this right now? Sit your ass down; we’ve got the job done, and you’re still coaching.'”
James’ Perspective
James, reflecting on why he was still on the court, suggested:
“I must have needed one rebound and one assist; that had to be it.”
The play they discussed was a classic example of miscommunication. Reaves later explained that he had merely sought validation from James regarding a specific play, which had apparently caused the confusion:
“Coach had drawn up an ATO, and I asked [LeBron] a question I kind of knew the answer to, just to get validation. There was a big miscommunication; I thought I was supposed to be on the weakside while they ran an action on the other side with him, AD, and Russ. When he said I was in it, I was lost.”
Aftermath and Viral Fame
The aftermath of the clip’s virality brought unexpected fame for Reaves, as he noted the surge in his social media following after James shared the clip:
“My followers went from around 60,000 to 7 million right after he posted that. I was in Philly, dining with Reg when I checked my phone, and I just set it down. I was like, ‘I don’t even know what’s going on.'”
Current Season Performance
The amusing interaction between James and Reaves continues to resonate with fans, as their clip has only gained traction over time, with the Lakers even creating their own twist on the meme earlier this year that also went viral. Currently, Reaves is experiencing a breakout season, averaging an impressive 23.5 points and 5.5 assists per game, while the veteran James is maintaining his performance with averages of 21.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists, as they both push for favorable playoff positioning in the competitive Western Conference.
