The training camp and preseason is crucial for the Los Angeles Lakers to integrate their new players into the system, particularly starting center Deandre Ayton.
Unfortunately, the Lakers are through five practices and two preseason games, and they’re yet to have all of their projected starters on the court to get those much-needed reps and build chemistry.
Lakers stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James have sat out the Lakers’ first two preseason games. There has not been a reported injury for Doncic, but JJ Redick recently said the organization will express caution considering the 26-year-old is coming off a EuroBasket run with Slovenia this past summer.
The same can be said for James, who is entering his unprecedented 23rd season and dealing with a minor glute injury. Recent reports indicate LeBron may not suit up in any of the Lakers’ six preseason games.
With Doncic and James not playing in games, practice is the only chance for them to get on the floor with their new teammates, but Ayton revealed on Wednesday that has not yet happened either.
“I haven’t,” Ayton said when asked if he’s gotten to work with the team’s two superstars. “It’s something I’ve just been waiting on and just got to prepare. JJ and the coaching staff probably have something where, they can put stuff together for all of us to really grow chemistry.”
Ayton didn’t sound too concerned as there is still two weeks until Opening Night. Building chemistry with a new center is a long process though, so Ayton’s connections with Doncic and James may be a little behind schedule in the first handful of games to begin the regular season given the lack of live reps.
Doncic and the Lakers previously spoke about how important training camp and the preseason would be considering they didn’t get those reps last year, so it’s definitely unfortunate things have not played out that way to this point.
Deandre Ayton getting comfortable with Lakers’ plays and schemes
Even though the Lakers’ top two ball-handlers haven’t been on the floor in scrimmages, Deandre Ayton has been learning the team’s playbook and schemes and is beginning to feel comfortable.
“Real comfortable to where I’m starting to know their plays,” Ayton said. “What their schemes are and in general Lakers spacing and Lakers basketball. That’s becoming quite easy just to read the floor and to know what JJ wants and what he wants us to be known as, especially in our rhythm offense and transition offense. So yeah, the terminology and everything is starting to be easy where I can control each end.”
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