The Deandre Ayton experience with the Los Angeles Lakers has been a roller coaster ride as he has, at times, been exactly what the team has needed, but other times has barely been noticeable on the court. The big man didn’t do himself any favors when he recently complained openly about his role in front of reporters, saying how he isn’t meant for a Clint Capela-like role.
But since then, things have turned around for Ayton as he has been a critical part of the Lakers’ win streak and is thriving defensively and on the glass for this team. And Ayton admitted that he had to look in the mirror and realize that this kind of role is exactly what he signed up for and what his team needs from him, via Dan Woike of The Athletic:
“That’s a fact. That is a true fact,” he told The Athletic Monday about scoring. “But me, I scratched that, I took that out. I said … when it comes to scoring, we don’t need that. We need you to put that energy what you have for offense and into defense.
“I just started looking in the mirror and said ‘Yo bro, … you’re not that guy. You don’t need to be on this team doing that at all. This team, you came here to be the effort guy and close out possessions, rebound. Run the damn floor hard as hell, make bigs work, make superstars work.
“And I’m having fun with it, I’m not gonna lie.”
It was mentioned by many that Ayton spoke before the season about not needing to score and wanting to be an energy and defense guy and it sounds as if the big man is truly embracing that now. With the playoffs nearing, Ayton sees the rest of the Lakers locking in and feels he has finally caught up with his teammates:
“JJ’s been instilling to us that this is a playoff atmosphere, and we fighting for a playoff position,” Ayton said. “You can tell LeBron’s been locked in, Luka — everybody’s been completely locked in, and I’m just tired of being the odd man out. I think I told the media the other day, it’s just me finally catching up.
“Team’s been there; it’s just been me.”
The big man is also more understanding that he might not get the big minutes he’s used to in certain matchups, but he won’t be bothered by that either as he made it clear that he is fully bought in with this team:
“I’m telling you, once I sit that long, that’s usually it,” Ayton joked with The Athletic. “It’s like … ‘You out (of the game) for a reason — go think about it. But lately it’s been like, ‘Nah, DA. You good.’
“And I’ve completely … I bought in. Completely, like 110 percent. I hope you see the work.”
This is exactly what the Lakers need from Ayton as he has the capability to be a true game changer with his athleticism and physicality on both ends of the court. If he can crash the glass, protect the rim and finish strong in the paint consistently, the ceiling of this Lakers team raises greatly.
JJ Redick, LeBron James praise Deandre Ayton after Lakers win over Rockets
Coincidentally, Ayton faced off with Capela in the Lakers’ recently victory over the Houston Rockets and came up with some huge plays down the stretch, drawing praise from both head coach JJ Redick and LeBron James afterwards.
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