Jason Whitlock’s Co-Host Blasts ‘Buffoon’ Kenny Smith in Scathing Putdown for His “Idiotic” Austin Reaves-Jeremy Lin Comp

LA Lakers star Austin Reaves has played well in the absence of stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James. The latest news about him was when he dropped 28 points and 16 assists over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The cherry on top was his game-winner to lead the Lakers to a 116-115 victory.

Fans loved what Reaves has done for the team early in the year. Aside from his game-winner, he also scored his career-high, 51 points, against the Sacramento Kings. That was followed by a 41-point performance when the Lakers faced the Portland Trail Blazers.

Following his game-winner, however, former NBA player Kenny Smith had an interesting take about Reaves. He compared him to 2019 champion Jeremy Lin. The Taiwanese basketball star gained recognition with the New York Knicks in February 2012, when he took over the team for a few weeks.

Smith's co-hosts at ESPN's "Inside the NBA" disagreed with his take. Charles Barkley even backed up Reaves and said that he has been good for a few years. The feedback on what the former Houston Rockets guard said about the Lakers guard did not end there.

On Friday, Jason Whitlock's co-host, Jay Skapinac, called Smith a "buffoon." He wasn't afraid to call out the former NBA player in the latest episode of "Fearless."

“Austin Reaves flashed this kind of ability last season,” Skapinac said (53:17). “He had a great year last year. A lot of people were just side-stepping like the buffoon Kenny Smith, with his idiotic Jeremy Lin comps.

“Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith is an idiot. He clearly doesn’t watch basketball.”

Skapinac further went on to say that Reaves has performed better than Lin, especially last season. He pointed out that the former NBA star's best year was when he averaged 13 points during the 2012-13 season. The 6-foot-5 guard has exceeded that since the 2023-24 campaign.

Last year, he averaged 20 points for the first time in his career.

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Richard Jefferson says the Lakers' record will impact Austin Reaves' chances of being an All-Star

Austin Reaves' recent stretch of games has entertained fans. It has also given them the thought that he could potentially be voted in as an All-Star. But Reaves' takeover of the Lakers won't last since Doncic and James will eventually return to the lineup.

For him to make the All-Star team, former NBA player Richard Jefferson said that the Lakers need to be a top 3 team in wins.

“You imagine LeBron and Luka are going to make it, so as the third guy with Vince and Jay Kidd, you better be in the Top 3 in wins. If you are 6th and then Luka and Bron get voted in, which they will, you’re not going to get that 3rd All-Star,” Jefferson said (33:55)

Winning games won't be all on Austin Reaves. The Lakers need to have a collective effort to add more wins to their record, which could help Reaves' All-Star bid.