The Los Angeles Lakers’ scorching start to the season has centered around one undeniable reality: Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have become the NBA’s most unstoppable backcourt.
Both guards are posting elite scoring numbers, with Doncic leading the league at 35.1 points per game and Reaves sitting 9th at 28.8- which is a combined 63.9 PPG.
The second-highest duo in the league right now is Nikola Jokić & Jamal Murray at 52.9 PPG – more than 10 POINTS behind.
After the Lakers poured in 133 points against the New Orleans Pelicans’ 121, Reaves broke down exactly why the partnership has clicked from day one.
“Luka scored 20 in the first quarter,” Reaves said. “[He] made a lot of shots, made a lot of plays and then everybody did a good job taking care of the ball, besides myself. Five turnovers is way too many. I think three or four of them is just bad. Just me being bad. If I take care of the ball, we probably [would] have four turnovers and might have scored 145, but the first quarter was good. Obviously, Luka’s one of the best first quarter players. He’s one of the best players in the league, but, obviously, [in the] first quarter he comes out and [makes] a statement. He gets our offense rolling.”
Reaves then shifted to why their backcourt chemistry has been seamless, highlighting the gravitational pull Doncic creates on every possession.
“He draws a lot of attention and then I’m able to play advantage basketball, basically, on the backside of that,” Reaves said. “[With] the gravity that he has on the court, it’s impossible to guard him any certain way because of his ability to pass the ball, his unselfishness and his shot making ability. Once you blitz him, then you have ‘advantage basketball’. We like our chances. I thought we got a lot of really good looks that we didn’t make tonight. We still scored 130. I still think this offense can go to another level.”
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