Bill Simmons offered a polarizing take on Austin Reaves and Team USA following their come-from-behind victory over Germany this weekend.
On Saturday, the American side faced off against Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner in the final tune-up game before 2023 FIBA World Cup officially commences.
Despite being down by as many as 16 points at one juncture, Team USA rallied back hard behind Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton and Reaves.
The latter two players finished with 16 apiece, while Edwards recorded 34 points on 11-of-21 shooting.
In the aftermath, Simmons took so social media to offer something of a polarizing take.
“Team USA’s biggest issue for the actual tournament — accepting that Haliburton and Reaves are 2 of the best guys on the team,” Simmons wrote.
“They’re gonna have to be out there in any big situation even if feelings get hurt.”
Fans took note of Simmons’ opinion and had some thoughts on it. Specifically, everyone seemed to acknowledge that Haliburton has been instrumental, but Reaves’ inclusion in the tweet was met with some resistance.
Folks immediately took to social media to respond.
Anthony Edwards is the best player but yes these are next in line
— Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) August 20, 2023
Haliburton and Ant are the best players for sure. They when they are on the court the team looks so much better
— Young Simba (@the2kmessiah) August 20, 2023
Yeah I guess you missed all the previous games.
— larry israel (@larryisrael2) August 20, 2023
It is natural to be suspicious of Reaves because of LA hype, but it is unfair. He is very good. Anyone who actually watched Haliburton (my favorite player in the league) last year knows he is amazing. That being said, Brunson is the better defender and one on one scorer.
— Robert T. Ives (@Justalurke) August 21, 2023
Reaves is trash 😹😹😹
— Suns Run The West (@DubSuns) August 20, 2023
Completely untrue ! they were better than there counterpart starters today and deserve the minutes but throughout fiba play Brunson and Ingram have been better. Also it doesn’t matter who starts the point is we have so many good players we can sub out anybody at any given time
— Decka718 (@DECKA_718) August 20, 2023
Simmons has never shied away from offering his blunt thoughts on things. Be it for his very honest critique of Bronny James or his brutal Kobe Bryant message to Jayson Tatum, he always tends to keep it real.
It was more of the same this week.
One way or another, Reaves will ultimately do his thing. He is quite adept at drowning out the noise and performing at a high level even with all eyes on him.
Plus, he likely isn’t sweating his doubters.
Reaves is coming off a summer where he got a four-year, $54 million contract extension from the Los Angeles Lakers and then spent the last few months partying it up with his girlfriend. Now he is representing the American side in international play.
Kay Adams 👀👀👀https://t.co/QxchPL3iir
— Game 7 (@game7__) August 21, 2023
He’s living the life.
All in all, it will be interesting to see what Team USA can ultimately accomplish this time around.
Will Reaves and Haliburton ultimately justify Simmons’ faith in them? Time will tell.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
