After a lethargic start to the season, it looks like the Los Angeles Lakers are rounding into form. They have now won four of their last five games after beating the Houston Rockets on Sunday night.
But with a lineup as deep as Johnny Cash's voice, the Lakers are still tinkering with their lineup combinations. While LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Anthony Davis are a lock at their respective positions, coach Frank Vogel could still make changes for the two other guys.
If you ask ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, Vogel should press the OK button on one player: Austin Reaves. Perkins even went as far as suggesting on Twitter that Kent Bazemore's minutes should go to the unknown rookie.
“Vogel needs to give all Bazemore’s minutes to Reaves. But I get it, the Lakers probably promised Kent minutes when he signed! Don’t mind me though and Carry the hell on.”
Your call, coach LeBron, er, Vogel.
Vogel need to give all Bazemore’s minutes to Reaves… but I get it the Lakers probably promised Kent minutes when he signed!!! Don’t mind me tho and Carry the hell on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) October 30, 2021
Bazemore has been starting at shooting guard since the season opened, serving as the Lakers' top perimeter defender. He's putting up 7.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals on 28.2 minutes per game. Reaves, however, has been solid off the bench—hustling for 50-50 balls, making extra passes, boxing out bigger guys, and just contributing a lot of intangibles. It's not surprising to see him tally a high plus-minus after every Lakers win.
While Reaves has looked a bit nervous at times, we can't blame fans for instantly thinking of former Lakers guard Alex Caruso whenever the undrafted wing out of Oklahoma takes the floor.
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