Austin Reaves
Austin Reaves reflected upon his liking towards the two nicknames give to him by NBA fans. With his recent performances for the Los Angeles Lakers, he has become a favorite in their eyes.
The 24-year-old shooting guard has been nicknamed ‘Hillbilly Kobe’ and ‘AR-15’. The rookie feels his names would be termed as negative as one is related to former legend Kobe Bryant and the other to an assault rifle. He informed that his first nickname came into existence during his college days at the University of Oklahoma.
Austin Reaves said that a graduate assistant came up with the name, “He came up to me one day and was like, ‘I figured it out.’ I was like, ‘What are you even talking about?’ He was like, ‘HBK.’ I was like, ‘What?’ He was like, ‘Hillbilly Kobe.’ Then, one of the teammates heard it and it stuck.”
“For three years, that’s what they said around just Oklahoma and then I guess people caught wind of it elsewhere. I mean, it is what it is. I just move forward from it.” For the other nickname he said he does want his brand to be connected to a rifle.
The NBA fans’ nicknames are often acknowledged by the player. If the nicknames are chanted by home fans, ballers try to seize each moment their names are called out. However, Austin Reaves’ rejection of both the nicknames gave rise to concerns, according to Draymond Green’s wits.
Above all, Draymond Green has been in the league for more than 10 years and on the other hand Austin went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft. He later signed with the Lakers.
“Brother, you have not done enough in your career to be trying to shed nicknames that people gave you. I was really blown away when he said that. Brother, you should take those nicknames and try to run with them.”
“I definitely understand the thinking behind the AR-15 one. But I don’t think anyone hearing the words ‘AR-15’ on the basketball court and thinking weapons.” Added Draymond Green.
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