Deandre Ayton is finally setting screens…and problems for opponents

To what Deandre Ayton will the lakers be eligible? The one motivated and able to dominate inside that he could have been in sequences in Phoenix, especially when he was looking for his second contract? Or the passive one, who refused to set screens and make defensive efforts, which he was during his time in Portland?

For now, it is the first to be present in Los Angeles, much to our delight JJ Redick.

“I think he’s played phenomenally since the season resumed.”, so assures the coach. “The only game where his stats went down was the one where he went out and didn’t play in the second half.”

It was against Memphis and it kept him out of the next game, against the Heat. But then, Deandre Ayton did not miss the reunion with the Blazers audience, with a big “double-double”: 29 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks. And he was also valuable against the Spurs of Victor Wembanyama: 22 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks.

“It shows that the player is capable of playing winning basketball”

“He’s had a phenomenal start to the year. He’s adopted his teammates. He’s embraced his role. He’s made sacrifices by just being a screen setter and creating space for his teammates. He’s finding his marks. He’s in a really good rhythm right now and he’s doing a lot of things.” continue JJ Redick.

in attack Austin Reaves etc Luka Dončić so make sure you reward him as much as possible for his screens while showing real investment on defense. In short, only positive… for now.

“I highlighted the defense in the fourth quarter (against the Spurs) and he played a big part in that. The block assist, the one-on-one block, he shows that he’s a player capable of playing winning basketball, and it’s really nice to see that blossom for three weeks. concludes the coach.

And despite various absences, especially LeBron James, the Lakers (7-2) are in No. 2 in the West.