HEADBAND AUSTIN REAVES AINT THE SAME

Just a few short years ago, LakersNation bore witness to the rapid rise of Alex Caruso. While the opening phases of Caruso’s tenure in tinsel town were terrific, there was a critical moment in his professional path which seemingly shifted his entire swagger: the introduction of his headband. If you are superstitious, you may even pay mind to the fact that the Lakers won their last title during the first year of Caruso’s headband phase.

A week ago, headband history may have repeated itself.

After missing 5 games (snapping a streak of 129 straight games played) following a scary fall against the Thunder, Austin Reaves returned to the court a few games back. However, this was not the same Austin Reaves that we were accustomed to. As evidenced by his sporty new cranium comforter, AR-15 was ready to make a statement after missing some time.

And a statement he has made.

Over the course of the Lakers’ 3 games (2-1 record) since his return, Reaves has compiled some impressive numbers. For starters, he has been a cumulative +18 when on the floor during those trio of contests. All of his counting stats have elevated: 20.7 PPG | 4.7 RPG | 6.3 APG VS. 1.3 TOPG | 1.3 SPG. His shooting has stayed steady on an uptick in volume: 42.2% FG | 39.1% 3FG | 93.8% FT.

He is still the same solid, smooth, and steady Austin Reaves we all know and love. But he just looks a bit more saucy out there with that band across his head.

Keep going, AR!