Lakers Analysis: Austin Reaves’ 3-point stroke is better than you think

It didn’t take long for Austin Reeves to elevate from luxury to total necessity. lakers This year.

The undrafted guard gained attention in his rookie season not for his external flash or dynamism, but instead for his ability. fill the gap His wide range between team stars and veterans utility.

Beyond his sloppy defense, subtle offensive skills and sheer hustle, Reeves emerged as the Lakers’ own roll of human duct tape. Whenever a roster, lineup, or matchup issue arose (which was often the case), it was the 24-year-old who hit it with the hope that he could bandage all the shortcomings around him.

It was a lot of responsibility and a bigger role than Reeves could have hoped for in a championship-challenged team. However, this had its drawbacks.

Additional wear and tear, in addition to the natural impediments of adapting to the NBA, may have affected multiple aspects of Reeves’ individual games throughout the year. It was his 3-point stroke that was taken.

On the surface, Reeves’ 31.5% shot across the arc last season clearly left a lot to be desired. And for good reason. However, this is also a number that requires much more context, and when zoomed in, suggests both sleeping capacity and room for improvement.

For example, removing garbage time and heaves, Reaves actually shot three balls in 33% more favorable clips. glass cleaningWhile still not up to league average, Reeves’ raw percentages show just how bogged down he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

according to League tracking data, 8.2% of Reeves’ 3-point attempts last season came very late on the shot clock (4 seconds or less). This mark was the best percentage on the team.

This appeared because the rookie often turned caution to the wind with a full-court bomb at the end of the quarter, and because of his numbers.he also became a victim of multiple “Grenade” From his teammate — An unfavorable pass forced Austin to pray late in the clock.

A combination of heaves and friendly fire allowed Reeves to convert just 19.2% of these attempts, dropping his overall 3-point percentage in the process.

Aside from those suboptimal shots, the majority of Reeves’ looks in his first campaign actually consisted of quality chances.

Serving as one of the team’s chief benefactors in the playmaking and propulsion of LeBron James and Russell Westbrook, Reeves ranks among the league’s best in terms of shot quality (which measures position, openness and type). Ranked in the 95th percentile. B Ball-Index.

Unfortunately, Reeves also struggled to transform these looks into healthy proportions. He could only hit 34.8% of his chances that were wide open (defenders at least 6 feet apart) that year.

However, these mistakes weren’t always the norm.In fact, when, and more importantly, Reeves feared the so-called “Rookie Wall”.

As the chart below shows, the biggest drop in Reeves’ shot count occurred from the beginning of January to the end of March.

Alex Regula

It was also around this time that Reeves’ minutes were standardized as a consistent part of the rotation. Related to this, Reeves also began seeing a dramatic increase in terms of ground covered on the court per month, with a surge in miles recorded in January and his March.

The sudden increase in energy movement and the amount of basketball played was something the rookie himself credited with his shooting decline.

“It’s probably just a fraction of the whole thing,” says Reeves. Recently told Athletic“I’ve never played more than 37 games in a season. The max is 40. I played 61 games this year, but I’ve had 82 games in a season and when I’m not playing I’m still traveling.” So it definitely matters.”

Those on the player performance side of basketball operations have tried to track exactly when players typically reach their breaking point. A few The hypothesis comes when the rookie has surpassed the number of games he has previously played at the college level or reaches the halfway point of the NBA season.

The Lakers’ 38th game of the season will take place on Jan. 2, roughly in line with Reeves’ reduction in shots and marks. played his most games in any season of his pre-pro career.

Before the new year, Reeves actually drilled 39% of his wide open attempts.But in his three months leading up to April (when he had the most mileage), Reaves was just 29.6% of his chances.

By rewatching all of Reeves’ 105 3-point attempts during that period (this alone matched his output at the University of Oklahoma during his senior year), one trend quickly became apparent regarding most of his mistakes.

He never gave up, but the physical side of the game was starting to crash on Reeves. His mistake was just barely grazing the front of the rim, and his foot, which likely felt like a cement block during this stretch, served as proof of this. I was just trying harder.

according to the league Second spectral dataof the Lakers who appeared in at least 50 games last season, Reeves ran the sixth most miles, contested the third most shots, recorded the second fastest average speed on defense, and averaged 50 overall. Outpaced the team in terms of speed, and Reeves for good. elicited the most accusations throughout his rookie class.

In an attempt to do everything, everywhere, all at once, Reeves’ bodies were often found. Pounding against hardwood For loose balls, physically Each night is punished by stronger opposition. The latter was the highlight this summer.

“That’s my big focus.” Reaves published by Jovan Buha“I go in there every day with a good attitude and I do whatever they tell me. Just put my body in the best position so I can’t hit the rookie wall or anything like that. I feel better, I’m conditioned. It gets better, so I can push more.”

reeves is already reportedly He put on another 12 pounds in hopes of improving his defensive versatility and enduring the rigors of an 82-game season. Jessie Bass also said that he “A more stable perimeter shooter”

Only time will tell if Reeves’ struggles with his shooting stroke are indicative of cracking in the future, or just recent young players adapting to new surroundings.

peripherals like him catch and shoot number College days and his striking touch around the rim And last season’s shooting technique from the free-throw line suggests Reeves has the specific tools every good shooter needs.

Perhaps most importantly, Reeves trusts himself and his shots, not letting mistakes or excuses keep him from flying when he needs it.

“At the end of the day, it felt like there was no excuse for missing a shot,” says Reeves. share athletically“Whether it’s the end of the year or the beginning of the year, I have to shoot. I can.”

There’s no question that Reeves hit the rookie wall hard this year. This is not because of his incompetence, but because it is the way he approaches basketball. That’s how he wired it. Full speed ahead, body and misses are terrible.

Luckily, there are all signs that his bumps and bruises have since healed, and he’s setting himself up to find more bottom in the net this season.

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