It seems using the Lakers for clout is no longer limited to basketball. Controversial figure Jake Paul tried to elevate his upcoming fight with Anthony Joshua by comparing himself to Austin Reaves — and it backfired immediately. He wanted a headline; instead, he got a wave of backlash. If you’re going to borrow Lakers culture, you’d better actually understand it.
Paul tried to frame the matchup with a Lakers-themed comparison:
“He’s LeBron James and I’m Austin Reaves. He’s had all the accolades and I was undrafted. I respect the legend, but it’s my time.”
He’s LeBron James and I’m Austin Reaves. He’s had all the accolades and I was undrafted. I respect the legend, but it’s my time. pic.twitter.com/fwpq4UiELc
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) November 22, 2025
Fans Weren’t Having It
Within minutes, fans flooded social platforms disputing Paul’s claim. Many joked that Reaves is already more established in the NBA than Paul is in boxing. Others laughed at the randomness of dragging Lakers players into a heavyweight promo without actually knowing ball.
The Bad Analogy
Paul’s logic fails on both sides. First, the LeBron–Joshua comparison just doesn’t translate. LeBron James isn’t just great—he’s a generational, era-defining force with two decades of sustained dominance. You’re talking about a global icon who sits at the absolute summit of his sport. Anthony Joshua, while elite and respected, doesn’t occupy that same cultural or competitive throne in boxing. He’s not the sport’s undisputed benchmark the way LeBron is for basketball, so the comparison overshoots and immediately loses credibility.
Then of course, there’s the Reaves comparison. Yes, Austin Reaves went under the radar early in his career, but he’s earned his place as a legitimate star. He’s gone toe-to-toe with the best players in the NBA. He’s faced playoff-level defenses, delivered in big moments, and has the trust of an organization that treats him as a core piece.
That’s the opposite of how Paul is viewed in boxing circles. Fans see him as someone who’s avoided real contenders and built his résumé on lesser opponents. Paul had the fame before he entered the boxing world uninvited. Reaves earned the fame by producing on the court. Reaves has proven he belongs with the best. Paul hasn’t.
Final Thought
Paul wanted to brand himself as the underdog ready to shock the world. But in reaching for Lakers names he didn’t fully grasp, he ended up reminding everyone of the gap between authentic underdogs—and manufactured ones.
