Los Angeles Lakers center DeAndre Ayton was invaluable in his team’s 120-114 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night.
Ayton had grown frustrated by his lack of service in recent weeks and sent a clear message to his Laker teammates following the victory.
What Was DeAndre Ayton’s Message to the Lakers?
Speaking post-game, Ayton said, ‘Bigs can’t feed themselves. I try my best do what I can to bring effort, and I trust my playmakers out there to find me.’
Head coach JJ Redick had picked up on Ayton’s ‘frustration,’ admitting ‘he doesn’t feel like he’s getting the ball’ after the Lakers’ victory on Friday night.
Ayton shot two-for-four on Friday, finishing with only four points and six rebounds. Typically, a player may have to sit out if they play badly against a back-to-back opponent, but not Ayton.
After venting his concerns, Ayton played exceptionally on Sunday night, producing 15 points (six of eight from the field), eight rebounds, and three blocks.
Ayton was pivotal in helping the Lakers take the lead and keep it down the stretch, producing two blocks and four rebounds. He also finished an alley-oop lob off Luka Doncic to give the Lakers a 98-96 lead.
Redick was thrilled with Ayton’s reaction, saying, ‘He was great throughout the game. I think that was good for him to touch the basketball and feel like he’s part of the offense.’
‘It’s a tale as old as time for a big guy. That’s the reality of being big: Someone has to pass you the ball. You’re not initiating the offense.’
Ayton has averaged 14.3 points and 8.4 rebounds in 29 games this season, well below the averages of his previous seasons in the NBA.
In his last five games before the game on Sunday night, the former No.1 pick averaged a dismal 9.4 points and 6.2 rebounds, which isn’t good enough for a starting Lakers center.
The Lakers need Ayton to return to the player who entered the NBA, a dynamic big man who can stretch the floor and cause havoc at both ends of the court.
In the 2019-20 season, Ayton averaged a career-best 18.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. The following season, he was integral to the Phoenix Suns’Â reaching the NBA Finals.
Ayton has suffered numerous injuries throughout his career, and confidence also appears to be an issue when things aren’t going his way.
With superstars Doncic and LeBron James possessing incredible passing abilities, is now the time for Ayton to return to his best and capitalize on the exceptional talent around him?
