Despite having a star-studded roster, Team USA looked all over the place in the pre-Olympics exhibition games. And, importantly, there’s no doubt in viewing LeBron James and Anthony Davis as the two consistent players on the roster. The superstar’s yet another clutch play against Germany is the firm proof. Following the herculean effort, Austin Rivers called for immediate action from the Los Angeles Lakers‘ new coach JJ Redick to prop up the LA side for the next season.

Ex-NBA star Rivers, who recently picked up the analyst role at ESPN, turned his front camera on and shared “food for thought”. Impressed by James’ consistent effort to close games and AD’s domination off the bench, the former star declared them as the two best players on the Team USA roster. Rivers said, “Who have been the two best players, the most impactful on USA Basketball? KD hasn’t played, I’ll take that into account, but so far the two best players are two Lakers players, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.” 

Following that declaration, he put forward an important question to the Lakers Nation. Rivers asked, “Why are the Lakers so far away? Why does it feel that way?” However, the former player seemed to have answers to his own questions as he continued to drop the Lakers’ weight on Redick, with whom Rivers had a beef during the last season after JJ’s critical comments on Doc Rivers.

The former LA Clippers player continued, “I guess JJ Redick is right. They asked him, ‘How far away?’, he said, ‘We are not far, we are a piece or two away from competing’. Maybe he is the piece. They got a new coach, new staff, etc. All I have heard this past year is the door for LeBron James for winning championship at Los Angeles is closed.” Rivers continued to disagree with the ongoing narrative and made an interesting counter.

Is Austin Rivers batting for JJ Redick?

A few months ago, Rivers called out Redick for slamming his father, Doc Rivers, for not taking accountability for his coaching failure with the Milwaukee Bucks. Rivers Jr. hit back at Redick, saying the Clippers had his best playing days under Doc Rivers’ regime. While the duo hasn’t openly sorted their beef, Austin Rivers seemed to be taking Redick’s side ahead of the Lakers’ new season.

Speaking of the Lakers’ losing narrative, Rivers continued, “The more I watch USA Basketball, I can’t disagree anymore. And watching the Avengers. Best players of the best players in the entire world. The best in our league are in this team, right? And the best guys so far are playing in the same team in the NBA. Two Lakers players. So, I ask you what do you think, how far are the Lakers away?” 

The 31-year-old analyst answered the question himself, saying, “They don’t need that much more. I’m watching them be the best players on this team (USA) and if they’re in the same team in the NBA, it’s just bewildering while they haven’t competed at the championship level since the bubble considered they’ve been the same team… I’ll be exciting to watch them this year with JJ and see what Lakers got cooking. Because I feel they’re far from dead.”

With months left for the next season, the Lakers still have a chance to stack their roster with roll players. Moreover, Bronny James has signs of improvement in the Summer League. May be he could add more value from the bench.

Do you think the Lakers will make a championship run with JJ Redick in the upcoming season? Let us know in the comments below.