Recently, in the SHOWTIME BASKETBALL podcast, Lakers legend James Worthy talked about the Los Angeles Lakers’ future for the 2024 season. Worthy, who has seen good and bad days with the Lakers throughout their history, did not hold back his comments about the club’s path. But it was not about LeBron James nor Anthony Davis that caught the ears of Lakers fans all over the world; instead, it was about a rising star with a $56 million salary.

Austin Reaves Lakers’ Sensational Emerging Star

Worthy’s comment has left many Lakers fans stunned. The star mentioned was Austin Reaves, and it’s hard not to see the irony in a 23-year-old player, an incredible undrafted-to-potential-franchise-cornerstone story that has unfolded before. Indeed, the multi-talented Reaves, who is determined to develop better has been silently establishing himself within the Lakers’ setup.

Worthy’s remarks signal a change in the team’s dynamics with LeBron James and Anthony Davis remaining in its high-profile player base. Despite moments of brilliance in the past seasons, fans often found themselves yearning for a more integrated team. This is evident when Worthy mentions Westbrook’s struggles with chemistry to stress that star power may not lead to a winning team.

The fact that Austin Reaves has developed into a “really improved player” shows that the Lakers may be betting on the youth of the team. That he is able to play on both ends of the court, coupled with his spirit to work hard, has attracted the hearts of the Lakers’ management and fans.

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Worthy’s comments “I am not into moral seasons or moral victories” seem to strike a chord with fans who comprehend it’s not all about the superstars, rather it’s about the team playing together to achieve the same purpose. The Lakers may have just found their secret ingredient to winning it all in 2024 and maybe even surpassing expectations.

Lakers Legend Emphasizes the Unsung Heroes

However, Worthy’s evaluation does not end at Austin Reaves. He does not ignore the effectiveness of other acquisitions such as Gabe from Miami who provided the team with a novel approach. The front office of the Lakers has been working hard to rebuild the squad to boost the team’s play.

Worthy agrees that basketball can be unpredictable where numbers and stats can never tell the complete story. For instance, he gives an example: Woods is a player whose impact is not instantly noticeable on the stat sheet, but whose contributions are vital for the team’s triumph.

The Lakers will head into next season, 2024-25, and they might not always have all eyes on LeBron James, and Anthony Davis. In the long term, the team’s chances could lie on the shoulders of yet-unborn stars and unheralded players like Reaves or Woods whose potential may open up the ways for making the Lakers true challengers.

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For Lakers fans, this viewpoint provides a revitalizing and optimistic perspective, making it clear to everyone that in the NBA, the road to success is largely determined by the collaborations of several individuals whose contributions differ in magnitude but are equally important.