Austin Reaves might not love the “Hillbilly Kobe” nickname, but he’s certainly giving Lakers and NBA fans alike a flashback to one of Kobe Bryant’s memorable career moments. And while it’s unfair to compare anyone to the incomparable Bryant, Reaves did manage to evoke the late legend with a jaw-dropping shot Sunday in Las Vegas.
While practicing with Team USA ahead of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Reaves channeled his inner Kobe by taking a pass in the left corner and draining a left-handed three-pointer over Mikal Bridges.
The result had fans pointing back to one of the many unforgettable moments of Bryant’s career.
Austin Reaves drills a left-handed 3 on Mikal Bridges pic.twitter.com/5zKUKYUZKf
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) August 6, 2023
For comparison’s sake, here’s a look back at when Kobe did it … in an NBA game against the Mavericks.
Fans were loving it, and they chimed in via social media to point out the memories that Reaves’s moment provided of Bryant’s deft lefty three.
— SCOBY Bryant ☝️🤨☝️ (@ur_crypto_fren) August 6, 2023
— @KingFitch_H19 Version 2.0. 🏀💯✨️🙌🏿🤴🏿🇺🇸🗒 (@Dfitch1990) August 7, 2023
Kobe...Bean...Bryant
— Pissed & Realistic Lakers Fan 🐬 (@AntdoggII) August 6, 2023
Kobe!!!!!
— HillBilly Kobe 🐍 (@RINGSSS8SS24) August 7, 2023
Kobe Bryant over the mavs and pelicans lol
— E.P. the Dreamer (@EPtheDreamer) August 6, 2023
— Coco (@marcomanipon) August 6, 2023
Man if reaves was a lil younger I would be saying some crazy comparisons
— Tronalations007 (@Dimeisgoated) August 6, 2023
