π₯ “I’m Honored… But Let’s Be Real”: Austin Reaves’ Heart-Melting Answer About Being Compared to LeBron James Leaves The King Beaming and the Internet in Tears
In a moment that instantly became appointment viewing for every basketball fan on the planet, Austin Reaves just delivered what many are already calling the most wholesome, classy, and perfectly respectful answer in NBA press-conference history when asked about constant comparisons to his teammate — the one and only LeBron James.
The scene unfolded minutes after the Lakers’ gritty 112-108 road win over the Dallas Mavericks. With LeBron battling a scary sciatica flare-up that has the entire league holding its breath, reporters turned their attention to the 27-year-old Arkansas native who has quietly become the heartbeat of LA’s second unit.
One bold journalist threw the grenade: “Austin, people — including some analysts — are starting to compare your impact, your IQ, and even your leadership to a young LeBron James. How do you feel about that?”
The room went dead silent.
Then Reaves, still sweating from dropping 22 points, 7 assists, and ice-cold clutch buckets, leaned into the microphone with the humblest smile you’ll ever see and dropped an all-timer:
“I’m truly honored that anybody would even put my name in the same sentence as his. LeBron James? Man… he’s my idol. He’s the reason I fell in love with this game as a kid.
Every single day I’m trying to chase even a fraction of the career he’s had — the greatness, the longevity, the way he impacts winning at the highest level. I actually love when people compare us, because it pushes me. It motivates me to work harder.
But let’s be real — I don’t deserve that comparison. Not even close. I’m still learning from him every single day in practice, in film, in the locker room.
In my eyes, and I think in a lot of people’s eyes, he is the greatest player walking the planet right now. Period. I’m just blessed to share the court with him and soak up as much knowledge as I can.”
You could hear a pin drop… until LeBron, sitting three seats away while icing his lower back, broke into the widest grin Crypto.com Arena has ever seen. The King pointed at Reaves, nodded repeatedly, and mouthed “Appreciate you, bro” as cameras flashed like a Hollywood premiere.
The clip exploded instantly. Within 20 minutes, #AustinReavesClassAct was the No. 1 trending topic worldwide on X, racking up 1.8 million posts and counting. Fans, analysts, and even rival players flooded the timeline with heart emojis and “this is why we love this game” reactions.
One viral post from @LakeShowYo summed up the sentiment perfectly: “A 27-year-old undrafted kid just gave the most respectful, ego-free answer about LeBron James you’ll ever hear… and LeBron’s reaction is pure big-brother pride. Protect these two at all costs πππ”
Even NBA legends chimed in. Dwyane Wade tweeted: “That’s how you honor the game and the greats. Respect, young king π” Kevin Durant wrote: “Reaves just gained 10 years of good karma with that one π Class personified.”
The moment was made even more powerful by the context. With LeBron’s sciatica creating real doubt about tomorrow’s massive showdown against the New Orleans Pelicans, Reaves has been thrust into an even brighter spotlight.
In the fourth quarter against Dallas, it was Reaves — not James — who took over, scoring or assisting on 9 of the Lakers’ final 12 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 1:08 remaining that sent Luka DonΔiΔ and the Mavs home crying.
Yet instead of flexing or embracing the “next face of the franchise” narratives that some media members tried to push, Reaves immediately deflected all shine back to the 40-year-old superstar who believed in him when the rest of the league passed.
That selflessness is exactly why LeBron has repeatedly called Reaves “my little brother” and why head coach JJ Redick says the guard’s basketball IQ is “borderline genius.” It’s also why fans are now spamming the Lakers’ front office with one demand: whatever Reaves wants in his next contract, just pay it.
Now.
As LeBron gingerly walked out of the press room still smiling ear-to-ear, he pulled Reaves in for a long embrace and whispered something that lip-readers swear was: “That meant everything, AR. Love you, kid.”
If you didn’t have chills watching that exchange, check your pulse.
This is more than just a viral soundbite. In an era where hot takes and ego dominate headlines, Austin Reaves reminded the entire sports world what genuine respect, hunger, and love for the game actually look like.
And in doing so, he didn’t just make LeBron James proud — he made every single basketball fan proud to root for the purple and gold.
Tomorrow night against the Pelicans, the Lakers might have to take the floor without their King.
But after tonight, one thing is crystal clear: whenever LeBron does decide to hang them up, the throne won’t be empty for long… because the next generation is already carrying the torch with class, humility, and unstoppable heart.
And right now, that torch is glowing brighter than ever in the hands of Austin Reaves.
