LeBron James is suiting up for the Philadelphia 76ers, marking an unprecedented 24th season in the NBA that just feels wild to even say out loud. After the Los Angeles Lakers got swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron had been considering retirement, but ultimately decided to keep playing and informed the Lakers he wouldn’t be re-signing. Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania that LeBron would play elsewhere, giving the Lakers the green light to move on without him. And man, that news hit hard for a lot of people, especially those who played alongside him for years.
“That’s Kind of All I’ve Ever Known”
For Austin Reaves, this whole situation is on another level. For his entire NBA career, LeBron James has been his teammate. Seriously, think about that. Every game, every practice, every moment since Reaves hit the league, LeBron was there. So when the news broke, Reaves admitted he hadn’t even processed it. “I don’t know if I’ve honestly processed it yet,” Reaves said. “Starting a season without him on the team is going to be different for me. That’s kind of all I’ve ever known.” He made it clear there’s nothing but love and respect for LeBron, but you can feel that underlying shock from a guy who’s only known one way of life in the NBA.
The “Crazy” Look and a Special Bond
LeBron opened his 76ers season on Tuesday night, and Reaves had already gotten a sneak peek during the preseason. His reaction? Classic. Reaves told the media, “I already seen him in the preseason. I almost texted him and told him he looked crazy.” Can you imagine that text? It just goes to show you the kind of bond these two forged. LeBron took Reaves, an undrafted guard, under his wing and really helped him develop into the player he is today. That special connection, the mentorship, it’s not just gonna disappear because they’re on different teams. It will definitely take some getting used to for Reaves, but he seems to be liking what the Lakers have built around him as they move forward into a new era.
The NBA season is officially underway, and while LeBron is rocking new threads in Philadelphia, Reaves is back in Los Angeles navigating uncharted territory without his longtime teammate. It’s a new chapter for both of them, and for Reaves, it’s about proving he can continue to thrive after learning from one of the best to ever do it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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