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“One Has Fancy Moves the Other Is a Basketball Player”: NBA Veteran Slams Bold Verdict in Favor of ‘Out of Form’ Warriors Star Which Stings the Laker Nation

Published 05/23/2023, 7:30 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

The Los Angeles Lakers comeback during the 2022–23 NBA season was a remarkable one. They had a difficult beginning to the first phase, hampered by defeats, leading to a demoralizing 2-10 record. But as the season went on, things turned around. The Lakers’ fortunes took a stunning turn, taking them from the bottom of the Western Conference rankings to one of the most fearsome teams in the league. The Lakers’ amazing comeback not only improved their standing but also cemented their place as serious league contenders.

Meanwhile, NBA veteran, Austin Rivers offers his bold take on a Warriors’ Star, leaving the Lakers’ fans feeling bitter.

An NBA Veteran makes a bold claim

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During a recent episode of his ‘Off Guard’ podcast, Austin Rivers made some bold statements about the Golden State Warriors Jordan Poole. In this episode, he was quick to distinguish Poole from a Lakers’ guard who has had a pretty impressive season this year.

He compared Poole’s skills to those of Los Angeles Lakers’ Austin Reeves. Rivers expressed his love for Austin Reaves. He referred to Reaves’s best skill as being aggressive every time he’s on the floor. By calling him the Jack of All trades, River’s proceeded to call him “not the greatest shooter” among many things. Then, he went on to state that his skill level is different than Jordan Poole’s.

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He said, “It’s not even in the same realm.” Rivers then bought up Poole’s range and his skills to make shots. While Rivers’ is an Austin Reaves fan, he said, “He’s nowhere near Jordan Poole.”

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He stated that for what Reeves lacks in ability, or certain skill sets, he makes up for it by playing hard on both offensive and defensive ends.

Poole’s performance during the season showed strengths as well as weaknesses. Despite a shift in his role, he displayed his scoring prowess and served as a crucial offensive weapon for the Golden Warriors, scoring 20.4 points on average per game. Although he only shot 43.3% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range, his shooting efficiency did suffer.

The NBA World reacts to the veteran player’s take

Meanwhile, Austin Rivers’ statement gets mixed reactions from the NBA World. Many shared their opinions on Twitter.

A fan tweeted, “One has fancy moves the other is a basketball player.”

A few fans agreed with his take.

On the other hand, some of them didn’t take it well.

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Reaves, a guard in his second season, has developed into a standout and a key component of the Lakers’ current and future success. His position in the team’s rotation has been cemented by his impressive postseason performances.

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Both Reaves and Poole will have chances to advance their careers and help their respective teams as the league develops. As of now, the trajectory of their careers is still uncertain. What are your thoughts on both players? Let us know in the comments below!

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Written by:

Ranjitha Ramesh

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Ranjitha Ramesh is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. With a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Ranjitha has a strong foundation in reporting and writing. Her passion for basketball, particularly the Lakers and LeBron James, fuels her desire to delve into the lifestyle and off-court activities of NBA stars.
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Edited by:

Aayush Kapoor