Deandre Ayton is the X-factor for the Los Angeles Lakers as they prepare for their first round series against the Houston Rockets. Head coach JJ Redick has been clear about that all season, but it became especially true when Luka Doncic (Grade 2 left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique strain) were ruled out indefinitely.
The Lakers went 46-26 with Ayton in the lineup this season. In wins, he averaged 14.3 points and 9.0 rebounds. That dropped to 9.2 points and 6.3 rebounds in losses. With that in mind, Redick expressed Ayton’s importance to the Lakers’ success in the playoffs.
“The whole season for him has been about finding consistency. When he’s at his best, we’re an elite basketball team. That’s just the reality,” Redick said after a recent practice. “He raises our ceiling so much. And it’s on both sides of the ball. It’s not him being able to score 24 points, although when he’s scores and shoots we typically win. He’s a really good basketball player and we’re very happy with what we’ve got right now.”
The Lakers would have needed Ayton at his best to have a chance against the Rockets even if they were at full strength. The injuries to Doncic and Reaves make it even more of a necessity.
Ayton will likely be tasked with guarding All-Star big man Alperen Sengun, a matchup that will surely test his defensive engagement. Sengun has the skill, both in scoring and passing the basketball, to take advantage of any inch Ayton allows him to have if he’s not fully locked in.
The Rockets not having Steven Adams — out for the season — will give Ayton a better chance to feast offensively as well. However, he must avoid the trap of focusing on his numbers as opposed to being an effective two-way center.
Deandre Ayton wants to do backflips ahead of Laker playoff debut
Ayton is ecstatic about playing his first game for the Lakers in the playoffs. So much so, that he said he wants to do backflips just thinking about it.
“Yeah, I’m almost speechless,” Ayton said after practice on Wednesday. “Especially being on this side of town now, playing in L.A. This place can get pretty loud. I’m still just trying to go on and embrace everything. I know we haven’t ramped up yet coming out of these practices. You’re thinking about the environment, thinking about the fans, thinking about the first game as a Laker in the playoffs. Just trying to find some time to catch myself and gather and just relax. I’ve been here before, but I am truly excited.
“I want to do backflips. I’m in the purple and gold and I want to really just play hard as hell to contribute to wins.”
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