Jake LaRavia might not have been a household name when the Lakers signed him to a two-year deal this past offseason, but he’s quickly proving he belongs under the bright lights of Los Angeles. After stints in Memphis and Sacramento-two markets where the spotlight doesn’t burn quite as hot-LaRavia is now carving out a role with one of the NBA’s most storied franchises. And as the season rolls on, he’s emerging as one of the Lakers’ more dependable two-way contributors.
This is a player who’s been asked to adapt quickly, and he’s doing just that. LaRavia’s game doesn’t scream for attention, but it’s the kind of glue-guy skill set that helps good teams win close games.
He defends multiple positions, makes smart decisions with the ball, and knocks down open looks when they come. In a locker room full of stars, he’s quietly becoming a trusted piece of the rotation.
Now, he’s about to step into one of the league’s marquee moments: a Christmas Day game in front of a national audience. The Lakers are hosting the Houston Rockets in what’s shaping up to be a key Western Conference matchup. For LaRavia, it’s not just another game-it’s his first Christmas Day appearance, and he’s soaking it all in.
“It’s my first Christmas Day game, so we gotta win,” LaRavia told Spectrum SportsNet. “I think it’s gonna be really fun.
I just remember growing up and watching Christmas Day games and how cool the environment was. So now, being able to play in a Christmas Day game with the Lakers, no less, I’m very excited for it.”
That excitement comes with a sense of nostalgia, too. Like so many fans and future players, LaRavia grew up glued to the TV on December 25th, watching some of the league’s biggest stars go head-to-head. He even recalled a few of those iconic matchups that stuck with him over the years.
“It would be the Knicks-Celtics games and I think one of them was Bulls-Lakers,” he said. “That was like Rose, Kobe and like Melo and Pierce. Great games.”
He’s not wrong. That Bulls-Lakers tilt in 2011 was one for the books.
Kobe Bryant dropped 28 points, but Derrick Rose had the final say, hitting a clutch jumper in the closing seconds to lift Chicago to a one-point win. Earlier that day, Carmelo Anthony poured in 37 to lead the Knicks past the Celtics in another Christmas classic.
These are the kinds of games that live on in NBA lore-and now LaRavia has a chance to be part of that tradition.
Of course, if the Lakers want to walk away with a win over a hungry Rockets squad, they’ll need more than just holiday spirit-they’ll need to tighten things up defensively. That’s been a sore spot lately, and LeBron James hasn’t shied away from addressing it. The effort, particularly on the defensive end, has been inconsistent, and the team knows it.
If the Lakers are going to make a real push in the West, these are the kinds of games they have to win. And for LaRavia, it’s a chance to not only contribute but to make a statement on one of the NBA’s biggest stages.
He’s already earned the trust of the coaching staff and his teammates. Now, under the glow of the Christmas Day spotlight, he’s got an opportunity to show the rest of the league what he’s all about.