The Los Angeles Lakers recently completed a trade, with Finney Smith and Milton joining the team. Finney Smith wears the number 17 jersey, while Milton wears the number 20 jersey. Both newcomers possess excellent three-point shooting abilities, and Finney Smith is also a top defensive player capable of guarding against the offensive attacks of top-tier stars. If Vanderbilt makes a comeback, the Lakers' lineup will be perfect, boasting a plethora of defensive powerhouses with exceptional defensive capabilities. The Lakers have been performing well recently, with a record of five wins and one loss in their last six games. Improved defense has been the primary reason for this success.
As we all know, the Lakers' first core player is Anthony Davis, who averages 26.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.1 blocks per game this season, with a shooting percentage of 53.1%. Davis not only leads the team in scoring, rebounds, and blocks but is also the most important core player for the Lakers on both offense and defense. LeBron James, on the other hand, averages 23.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 9.0 assists, and 0.8 steals per game this season, maintaining a superlative level of play even at the age of 40.
This season, the Lakers' three most important scorers are Davis, James, and Reeves. Reeves contributes an average of 17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, setting new career highs in multiple categories such as scoring, assists, and steals. Reeves experienced a slump and injuries at the beginning of the season, but after a period of recuperation, he returned in outstanding form. Recently, Reeves has been particularly impressive, scoring efficiently and setting new highs in passing and assist statistics, with his attacking and organizational skills continuously improving and growing stronger.
According to ESPN's official report, since Reeves' return, he has averaged 20.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in the last seven matches. In the game between the Lakers and the Kings, Reeves scored 26 points, 6 rebounds, 16 assists, and 1 steal on 9-of-16 shooting, not only setting a new career high with 16 assists in a single game but also making crucial shots to lead the team to victory. In the game against the Warriors, Reeves efficiently scored 26 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal, hitting the decisive shot at a critical moment to seal the win.
Reeves, an undrafted player, joined the Lakers and started from the bottom, averaging 2.3 points during garbage time as a substitute, then 7 points, and 1.3 points, before reaching this season's average of 18+4+6 data. Reeves has gradually grown from an undrafted player to the Lakers' third-leading scorer and third giant. James commented on Reeves' performance, saying, "It's no surprise that Reeves plays at this level; Redick sets up tactics for him, and he really delivers. He is a player with a big heart." Since joining the Lakers, Reeves has contributed a game-winning shot every season, demonstrating his sharpness. Davis openly stated that Reeves is crucial to us.
In an interview, Reeves expressed his great enjoyment playing alongside James and Davis, stating that joining the Lakers was something he had always dreamed of. Now firmly established within the Lakers, Reeves also expressed his hope to continue playing for the Lakers, once a Laker, always a Laker. Currently, the Lakers' most stable core consists of Davis, James, Reeves, and Hachimura, with Christie and Knickert also performing increasingly well recently. It remains to be seen how the new additions, Finney Smith and Milton, will perform with the Lakers.
