NBA Sixth Man power rankings: 2 Heat players competing for award
By Brennan Sims
3. Austin Reaves
Stats: 15.1 PPG 4.6 RPG 5.0 APG
Reaves has turned it up a notch after his slow start to the season. Most of that could be attributed to his lengthy season last year (deep playoff run + FIBA Basketball).
Since settling in a bench role, Reaves is shooting a boiling 40% from 3 and 50% from the field. The kid out of Arkansas fits the mold of a supernova scorer off the bench, but he contributes in other ways.
Reaves is a serviceable defender and playmaker. He competes on the non-glamorous side of the court and is an overall passing team defender. He'll get hunted in the playoffs, but that doesn't make one a poor defender.
He can initiate ball-handler actions when leading the second unit. His 123 assists off the bench are the fourth most in the league season. Reaves is a seamless fit with Lakers stars Anthony Davis and LeBron James because he can play without the ball, too. His versatility and shotmaking keep him on the floor to end Lakers games.