It is a nightmare of a task to guard LeBron James in the NBA even for veterans. And asking a rookie to guard The King is downright wrong. But that is exactly what Davon Reed was asked to do by the Phoenix Suns coaching staff during his rookie season in the league.
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After being drafted 32nd overall in the 2017 NBA draft, Reed got a chance to feature for the Suns. He played for the Suns’ G-League team, the Northern Arizona Suns, before making it to the NBA. The promotion was a bit of a jump for the Suns rook.
“My rookie year, I’m not playing at all. This is the first time I’m getting thrown in real NBA minutes. This is what I want to talk about. ‘Go check Bron.’ They off the rip,” Reed said.
He might’ve been in the G-League for a while, but guarding LeBron is something completely different. In his first-ever NBA game, Reed was given the difficult assignment. But he was unfortunately not up to the task.
“When I say that I’m from the G-League, I’m coming up. I’m not getting in the game like even when I’m up. I’m not really getting in the game. I’m in the fire, they say, ‘Go check Bron.’ (He) take me to the post or scored on me every single time.”
LeBron took Davon to the post or beat him at the dribble every single time. Not only did Bron score but also managed to get an and-one opportunity on each possession.
“Foul, score, something like that. I’m like five times in a row, I get subbed out. I’m like, ‘Oh my goodness.’”
Reed was brought out of the game after being overwhelmed. But it didn’t end there. Just because he failed to guard LBJ, Davon was only given only 4 minutes to play in his very next game.
How Reed got his revenge on LeBron
After the initial setback, Reed did not back down and kept his head up. And eventually, the 6’6 guard got his revenge on Bron four years later. The Los Angeles Lakers were facing the Denver Nuggets in a regular season matchup. As per DenverPost, Reed absolutely clamped up LBJ in the very first quarter.
“I had been waiting for that moment for a while. LeBron killed me my rookie year. I had to get my revenge.”
And he sure did, especially after getting his rookie season almost shut down.
