LeBron FORCES Austin Reaves to Flip-Flop on Kobe! NBA Fans Say This Is Getting RIDICULOUS

Midnight in LA: The King’s Shadow Looms Over His Teammates

The lights fade in the empty arena. The scoreboard flickers. Midnight. LeBron sits alone, wrapping ice around his knee. A whisper echoes: How much longer can the King hold the throne?
But tonight, it’s not just about LeBron’s legacy. It’s about the wildest flip-flop in Lakers history—and one young star caught in the crossfire.

Austin Reaves: Kobe Stan Turned LeBron Loyalist?

Just a few months ago, Austin Reaves was living every Lakers fan’s dream. He wore the purple and gold, played on the same court as legends, and—most importantly—he was a Kobe Bryant diehard.
When asked who the real GOAT was, Reaves didn’t hesitate. “I’m going to say Kobe,” he declared. No politics, no second guessing. This was his truth. Kobe was his hero.
But in the NBA, your truth doesn’t always stay your truth. Especially when you share a locker room with LeBron James.

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The Meme That Changed Everything

Flashback to 2012. Reaves, a young Kobe fanatic in Arkansas, posted a savage meme:
“When I need some rest, I put my phone to LeBron mode—no rings.”
It was brutal, hilarious, and pure Kobe fandom. But the internet never forgets.
Years later, as Reaves signed with the Lakers and became LeBron’s teammate, those old posts resurfaced. Suddenly, Austin had a problem. Would LeBron care? Would it ruin their chemistry?

LeBron Confrontation: The Flip-Flop Begins

Austin did the only thing he could—he walked up to LeBron and owned it. “Bro, come here. I was a Kobe fan back in the day. I was s***ting on you in 2012.”
LeBron laughed it off. “I don’t care about this.”
But let’s be real—LeBron is one of the most image-conscious athletes ever. Maybe he laughed, maybe he played it cool, but LeBron doesn’t forget. And Austin knew it.

JJ Redick’s Podcast: The Full 180

Fast forward to Reaves’ appearance on JJ Redick’s “Old Man and the Three” podcast—a LeBron-friendly zone. The energy shifts. Suddenly, Austin is singing a new tune:
“In my opinion, LeBron is the best player to ever touch a basketball.”
Wait, what? The same guy who called Kobe the GOAT is now calling LeBron the greatest ever?
NBA fans couldn’t believe it. Was this real? Or was Austin just playing the political game?

Why NBA Players Keep Flip-Flopping

Austin Reaves isn’t alone. Shaq, Scottie Pippen, Gilbert Arenas—so many ex-players have changed their tune, flipping from Kobe or Jordan to LeBron depending on the room, the job, or the paycheck.
Why? Because in today’s NBA, there’s a price for having your own opinion. If you want that TV spot, that endorsement deal, or just want to keep the peace in the locker room, you better fall in line.
And when LeBron’s your teammate, you don’t publicly say Kobe is the GOAT. You play the game.

The Cost of Flip-Flopping: Credibility Lost

Austin’s flip wasn’t just about being a good teammate. It was about survival. But every time a player changes their story, fans lose trust.
Who actually believes what they’re saying? Are they speaking their truth, or just saying what they need to survive?
Some legends stick to their guns. They rep Kobe or Jordan no matter what. But Austin? He lost credibility the moment he flipped.

What Happens Next?

When LeBron retires, will Austin go back to calling Kobe the GOAT? Or is this new narrative here to stay?
Is Austin just being smart, protecting his career, or is this exactly what’s wrong with today’s NBA culture?
Should players be allowed to change their opinions, or should they be called out for flip-flopping?

Sound Off: Is Reaves Smart or Just Another Sellout?

Drop your hottest takes in the comments! Should Austin Reaves be praised for keeping the peace, or is he just another example of NBA stars losing their voice?
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This LeBron-Austin-Kobe saga is far from over. Stay tuned—because the drama is only getting crazier.