Austin Reaves is a rookie guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, who has been getting some minutes and attention from the fans and the media. He is also one of the few players who can say that he used to hate LeBron James, his current teammate and leader.
Reaves recently revealed that he was a big Kobe Bryant fan growing up, and that he did not like LeBron at all. In fact, he even posted a tweet in 2012, when he was around 14 years old, that mocked LeBron for not having any rings. The tweet showed a picture of Kobe with the caption “When I need some peace and quiet I set my phone to LeBron mode no ring”.
How Did Lebron James React When He Found Austin Reaves Was a Lebron Hater?
The tweet resurfaced in 2021, when Reaves signed with the Lakers as an undrafted free agent. Many people wondered how LeBron would react to seeing his new teammate’s old tweet, and whether there would be any tension or awkwardness between them.
Being the brave person that he is, Reaves decided to be honest and upfront about his past tweet, and he approached LeBron to apologize and explain himself. He explained that he was just a kid who loved Kobe and did not know any better. He also said that he has grown to respect and admire LeBron over the years, and that he is honored to play with him.
To his surprise, LeBron was not angry or offended by his tweet. He just laughed it off and told him that he did not care about it. It seems Lebron understood that Reaves was just a fan of Kobe, and that he had no problem with that.
Reaves was relieved and grateful for LeBron’s reaction. He probably felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. These days he is now one of the biggest LeBron fans on the planet, and regularly talks about how he is amazed by how he handles himself on and off the court.
Reaves’ 2012 tweet does not make any sense anymore, since LeBron has won four championships since then, and is still chasing more. It took witnessing LeBron’s greatness and legacy up close and personal for him to realize that being a Lebron hater is a losing situation.
The story of Reaves and LeBron shows how small the world is, and how things can change in unexpected ways. Reaves never imagined that he would be playing with LeBron eight years after he posted a tweet disrespecting him. Luckily for him, LeBron does not hold grudges, and is willing to forgive and forget.
