"Felt like right time, right situation"- Austin Reaves says he took revenge for LeBron James when he hit 'too small' celebration over Patrick Beverley

Austin Reaves showed he had LeBron James' back during the LA Lakers' 121-110 win against the Chicago Bulls. Reaves knocked down a jumper over Patrick Beverley in the fourth quarter and hit the "too small" celebration, the same gesture the Bulls guard used against James when the teams met on Sunday in LA.

Spectrum SportsNet

@SpectrumSN

Too small @patbev21 🤣

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Too small @patbev21 🤣 https://t.co/960p8nABTZ

After the game, Reaves said he remembered that Beverley had celebrated in that fashion against LeBron. However, he maintained that he had respect for the Bulls guard.

"He did it last time we played on LeBron. It wasn't something I thought about all game but I felt like right time, right situation. Like you said, me and Pat have a good relationship, I respect him, it's just me competing."

Beverley and the Lakers have an intriguing relationship as he started the season with the team but was traded at the deadline to the Orlando Magic for Mo Bamba. After joining the Bulls during the buyout market, Beverley claimed that he would stop the Lakers' playoff push when the teams met.

He was able to deliver on that promise when the two teams clashed in LA on Sunday as the Bulls recorded a 118-108 win. However, the Bulls failed to replicate that effort at home. Beverley went scoreless, failing to connect on all five of his field goal attempts.

LeBron James reacts to Austin Reaves' "too small" celebration

LeBron James praised Reaves for having his back and joked that he forgave him for being a Kobe Bryant fan in his younger days.

"AR always got my back, always. Even though he loved Kobe back in the day, more than me. I forgive him."

Jovan Buha

@jovanbuha

LeBron James on what he thought about Austin Reaves doing the “too small” gesture to Patrick Beverley: “That AR always got my back. Always. Even though he loved Kobe back in the day more than me. I forgive him.”

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LeBron James on what he thought about Austin Reaves doing the “too small” gesture to Patrick Beverley: “That AR always got my back. Always. Even though he loved Kobe back in the day more than me. I forgive him.” https://t.co/pt0jAMTFO9

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant were the top two players in the NBA when Austin Reaves was still a young kid rising up the ranks. Reaves was more of a Kobe fan than a LeBron supporter growing up.

However, the sophomore guard has developed a great relationship with James during his time in LA and will have an important role to play for the Lakers over the rest of the season.

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