Ex-Los Angeles Lakers guard Patrick Beverley demands respect from a former NBA star.
The two biggest stars on the Los Angeles Lakers roster are LeBron James and Luka Doncic. However, when the team is in trouble, head coach JJ Redick has often relied on another star.
It’s none other than Austin Reaves, who has truly taken things up a notch for the Purple and Gold this season.
Initially, many doubted Reaves’ ability to be a legitimate third option on a championship contender like the Lakers. The critics included former NBA star Chandler Parsons.
Being an undrafted player, Reaves has faced critics at every step of his NBA journey. However, he has surpassed his potential for the Lakers this season.
Now, many are getting on the boat for AR15’s hype. But some former NBA players, like Chandler Parsons, didn’t believe that Reaves was capable of going toe to toe with the biggest stars.
“I love Austin Reaves. His ceiling is exactly what he is doing right now. I think his ceiling is him being consistent 15/5/5,” Parsons said about Reaves in 2023.
“He’s not a player who’s going to continue to get exceptionally better. It’s not like the potential is through the roof with him. He is what he is.”
It wasn’t the only instance when Parsons wrote off Reaves’ talents. He previously claimed that Philadelphia 76ers’ Paul George is a better third option than the Lakers star.
Former LA Lakers guard Patrick Beverley has always been in Reaves’ corner. In fact, Pat Bev openly claimed that Reaves is the best third option in the NBA right now.
Keeping that in mind, Beverley recently dug out Parsons’ 2023 claim about Reaves’ ceiling and demanded an apology from the former NBA player.
“White on white crime smh Chandler Parsons now apologize like man,” Pat Bev wrote on X.
Reaves is currently averaging 20.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game for the Lakers. He’s a big reason behind the Lakers’ resurgence this year.
On another note, many may have forgotten, but Reaves is currently in the second year of his four-year, $53.8 million contract.
He’s averaging such excellent numbers while making less than $13 million this season. This makes Reaves undoubtedly the best third option in the NBA, at least for now.
