Deandre Ayton “troll” to play better?

« I don’t know if anyone saw me, I was in the middle of the field fucking…, sorry, screaming », sorry Austin Reaves by clearly translating his level of enthusiasm when he saw Deandre Ayton at work. This one, in the middle of the fourth quarter in Sacramento, just missed a shot a few meters from the circle.

But he had the good idea to follow his ball and win the rebound in front of Domantas Sabonis, before breaking the circle. And celebrate with clenched fists. The kind of reaction less common among pivots, but which symbolized his excessive desire for this part.

« This is what we need. We encourage him every day to be like that. In the game against Minnesota, he received a pocket pass and attempted to dunk, but missed. We ended up getting an offensive rebound for and-1, but Luka and I went right to DA and said, ‘This is what we want. For now it doesn’t matter if you pass or miss, just keep going because most of the time you will score or recover a foul.’ Austin Reeves reports.

The latter, in Sacramento, believes that “DA played like a monster tonight, and that’s what we need from him every night “. While coming off two very average first outings with his new team, which have already earned him criticismthe interior collected 22 points (10/17 shooting) and 15 rebounds. Widely won the duel with Domantas Sabonis (10 points and 14 rebounds), hampered by mistakes and sometimes forgotten by the back end.

Good understanding with Austin Reeves on all levels

The former Suns and Blazers player benefited greatly from the allure of Austin Reaves. Hot, the full-back was regularly targeted by the opposing defense and was able to deliver ball after ball to his pivot. This two-player game stretched throughout the evening.

«He gets better every day he spends with this group. I found him very good on the pick and roll tonight. His decisions in tight spaces were excellent. To see 15 rebounds from him is great, but offensively it was probably his best night», greets JJ Redick.

Aside from the technical level, his staff, which also took advantage of the absence of LeBron James and Luka Doncic to strengthen themselves, visibly integrated well in the Lakers’ locker room. A good understanding is likely to have a direct impact on his performance.

«Everyone has their little quirks to confuse me a little. AR is my guy, Luka is my guy. But my wings and power forwards? They try to make me lose my temper before games just to get me going. I’m starting to see it as a habit, because I don’t get a break until we’re on the field. After that, it’s 100% serious», describes Deandre Ayton.

Were you “trolled” into playing better? “i love it They tease me all the time, talk to me like that. That’s just trolling. They like my reactions. Sometimes things catch me off guard. But I love it, seriously. It just makes me play hard when it counts», ends Ayton Deandre with this funny confession.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=kvgZ0JTEJ6o

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.