One thing that has become extremely clear this season is the Los Angeles Lakers roster is a close-knit group. From the returning players of a season ago to new additions such as Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia, players are always seen on the court supporting each other to the utmost degree.
It’s not just on the court that this bond and chemistry grows, but off the court as well as those are the times when players can really connect on things aside from the game of basketball. And recently, the team came together over food provided by Ayton’s mother, Andrea.
Ayton’s mother was at the Lakers’ practice facility at 3 a.m. to prepare a full spread of traditional Jamaican cuisine which the entire team and staff was able to enjoy.
While Ayton was born in the Bahamas, his mother is of Jamaican descent, hence the cuisine of choice. Jamaican, and Caribbean food in general is some of the most flavorful and beloved food around the world, and it was clear that this is what Ayton grew up on.
The Lakers were able to enjoy fried and jerk chicken, plantains, oxtails, cabbage, rice and peas. LaRavia was among those who had to go back for seconds and even looked like he was packing some up to go as well.
As Lakers assistant coach Lindsay Harding spoke about in the video, being able to come together for home-cooked food and talk about everything other than the game is what really allows for a team to bond. And Ayton’s mother clearly has a passion and joy for cooking and feeding people as this was something that began in a church and grew from there.
When the Lakers signed Ayton this offseason there were a lot of questions about whether he would be a good fit with the team. The big man has been excellent on the court so far, but something like this shows that Ayton and the Lakers are connecting off the court just as well and really makes this franchise a home for him and his family.
Deandre Ayton: Lakers win over Suns was ’emotional’
The Lakers got back on track recently with a big win on the road over the Phoenix Suns, Ayton’s. It was a hard-fought game with some tense moments and Ayton admitted that the game was an emotional one, but felt the Lakers played with a necessary edge.
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