When the Los Angeles Lakers signed center Deandre Ayton following the buyout of his previous contract with the Portland Trail Blazers over the summer, some were skeptical that he would make a significant impact. He has always been a potent offensive threat and a good rebounder, but his defense has been lackluster, and he didn’t exactly display a team-oriented attitude while in Portland.
But in three preseason games with Los Angeles, Ayton has been very solid defensively. He has been looking to protect the rim, and he has also made an effort to defend well when switched out onto the perimeter.
In Sunday’s 126-116 win over the Golden State Warriors, he made six of eight shots to score 14 points while also contributing eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block in 26 minutes. Afterward, he sent a strong message about where his focus is this season, and it is something coach JJ Redick must’ve been glad to hear.
“JJ’s really put it on me and put an emphasis that he wants his bigs protecting the rim. I’m just trying to be a big part of that. To let the world know and the league know that I’m the Lakers center and I’m the anchor of the defense.”
In three exhibition games this month, Ayton has blocked a combined five shots. After Anthony Davis was traded for Luka Doncic in February, L.A. had a gaping hole at the center position, and Jaxson Hayes, who started at that position, wasn’t able to provide enough consistent rim protection or rebounding.
If Ayton maintains his defensive focus and intensity all season long, he could single-handedly raise the team’s ceiling considerably and allow it to surprise some pundits.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Deandre Ayton’s emphatic message after Lakers’ win on Sunday
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
