Draymond, Kuzma say Austin Reaves should keep 'Hillbilly Kobe' nickname

Draymond Green and Kyle Kuzma aren't in favor of Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves dropping his "Hillbilly Kobe" moniker.

Reaves made it known in an interview with ESPN's Dave McMenamin last month that he's looking to distance himself from the "Hillbilly Kobe" nickname out of respect for the late Kobe Bryant. He also wants to drop his "AR-15" nickname due to its association with the AR-15 rifle.

While Green and Kuzma understand Reaves' decision to move away from "AR-15," they think he should embrace the "Hillbilly Kobe" nickname.

"Personally, Hillbilly Kobe is lit ... you have to embrace that one," Kuzma said on a recent episode of "The Draymond Green Show."

Added Green: "Hillbilly Kobe? You should be running with that. By the way, if I'm him and they're calling me Hillbilly Kobe, I'm trying to be in the next 'White Men Can't Jump.' I'm trying to really run with that."

Reaves explained the origins of "Hillbilly Kobe" at the Lakers' media day last year, revealing that it was given to him by a graduate assistant during his first year at Oklahoma.

The 24-year-old, who joined the Lakers as an undrafted free agent, averaged 7.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 61 games during his rookie season.