Lakers' head coach is losing faith in team's key player

The Los Angeles Lakers' challenging start to the 2023-24 season persisted during their Sunday night away game against the Sacramento Kings. An agonizingly slow beginning had spectators fearing an impending blowout, but the Lakers, donned in their iconic purple and gold, managed to claw their way back, turning it into a closely contested match as the game neared its conclusion.

LeBron James, with his late-game heroics, propelled the Lakers into overtime, offering them a shot at victory. Regrettably, the Lakers couldn't match the Kings' scorching-hot shooting and ultimately lost in overtime.


Nevertheless, the standout moment in the overtime wasn't Sacramento's victory, but rather the decision by head coach Darvin Ham to bench Austin Reaves during the fifth frame. This move came after Reaves endured one of the most challenging performances of his budding career in the preceding four quarters.



Darvin Ham Benches Austin Reaves in Lakers Loss

No doubt about it, Austin Reaves had a subpar performance in this game. The emerging shooting guard managed just 5 points on a 1-12 shooting performance and failed to make a positive impact on the defensive end. This marked his poorest showing since he burst onto the scene as a reliable contributor for the Lakers.

It falls within the responsibilities of a head coach to field the most effective lineup when the game is on the line. Given Reaves' performance, there's a valid argument that he may not have deserved to be on the court, regardless of his inherent talent.

However, during overtime, Coach Ham's choice to rely on Gabe Vincent, who had been struggling offensively with a 1-for-3 shooting record, came as a surprise. This decision is intriguing because Reaves could have been a more fitting choice for the open three-point opportunities compared to him. Nevertheless, Coach Ham still opted for other struggling role players during that crucial period against the Kings.

The Value of Playing Time

In the early stages of the 2023-24 season, while Austin Reaves' performance was disappointing, it presented a valuable learning opportunity for the Lakers. Allowing him a chance to rebound on the court might have been more constructive than benching him as a form of punishment. Whether the Lakers won or lost due to Reaves, it's all part of the learning process, offering the team a chance to progress. If Reaves had managed to turn his poor performance around in a critical moment, it could have provided a foundation for the team's growth.

The Lakers' Outlook

Ultimately, it doesn't really matter, as the Lakers still ended up with a loss. Ideally, the team should have faced defeat with its top players on the court. There's ample opportunity for Coach Ham and the Lakers to discover the most effective lineup as they prepare to take on the undefeated Orlando Magic later today.

Credits:
Lake Show Life