Austin Reaves Says Childhood Loyalty to Kobe Bryant Once Made Him “Hate” LeBron James
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Los Angeles, CA — Guard Austin Reaves said this week that he grew up idolizing Kobe Bryant so completely that he developed an early dislike for LeBron James—a feeling he eventually shared, face-to-face, with the four-time NBA champion.
During an appearance on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take,” the Arkansas native explained that his elementary-school admiration for Bryant automatically placed him on the other side of every James storyline, especially when James left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in 2010.
A 12-Year-Old Tweet Resurfaces
Reaves recalled a meme he posted at age 12 that read, “When I need sleep I put my phone on LeBron mode—no rings,” accompanied by a photo of Bryant. The long-forgotten tweet resurfaced in 2024 while the Lakers were in New Orleans. Reaves said ESPN’s repost caused his phone to “blow up” with messages, prompting him to walk over to James in the locker room.
“I just told him, ‘I’m not going to lie—I used to be a hater,’” Reaves said. According to the guard, James laughed off the admission, ending any potential tension on the spot.
From Two-Way Contract to Trusted Teammate
Reaves entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and began his Lakers tenure on a two-way contract. Now in his fifth NBA season, he credits James for treating him “the same way from Day 1,” regardless of roster status. The pair’s on-court connection has since produced several highlight plays and steady offensive production.
Golf Course Anecdote Involving JJ Redick
The 25-year-old also noted that head coach JJ Redick—who occasionally joins players on the golf course—harbors an “unusual” fear while playing, though Reaves did not elaborate further.
Reaves’ comments offered a glimpse into how a childhood rivalry evolved into a productive professional partnership, underscoring James’ longevity and the Lakers guard’s unlikely rise from undrafted rookie to core rotation piece.
Source: LakersNation.com
