Rumors

It’s the stuff that might not always show up in the box score. For Ayton, it’s about relearning how he can impact a game without being the focal point offensively. “That’s a fact. That is a true fact,” he told The Athletic Monday about scoring. “But me, I scratched that, I took that out. I said … when it comes to scoring, we don’t need that. We need you to put that energy what you have for offense and into defense. “I just started looking in the mirror and said ‘Yo bro, … you’re not that guy. You don’t need to be on this team doing that at all. This team, you came here to be the effort guy and close out possessions, rebound. Run the damn floor hard as hell, make bigs work, make superstars work. “And I’m having fun with it, I’m not gonna lie.”

New York Times

He’s admitted that he wasn’t always at that level. Now, Deandre Ayton says, he’s adjusted. “JJ’s been instilling to us that this is a playoff atmosphere, and we fighting for a playoff position,” Ayton said. “You can tell LeBron’s been locked in, Luka — everybody’s been completely locked in, and I’m just tired of being the odd man out. I think I told the media the other day, it’s just me finally catching up. “Team’s been there; it’s just been me.” The Lakers (43-25) have won six straight and nine of their last 10, with strong performances from Ayton in recent games.

New York Times

Nearly 10 years before teaming up for the Lakers, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton were just teenaged prospects with big dreams. They first met at a Basketball without Borders camp in 2016. The roster that year also included future NBA champions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Hartenstein. Hachimura recalled Ayton dominating everyone. Then the 7-foot center from the Bahamas inexplicably disappeared. “That’s what I remember,” Hachimura said with a smile remembering his first impression of his future Lakers teammate. “I was like, ‘Where’s this guy going?’”

Los Angeles Times

Tim MacMahon: Rockets C Alperen Sengun (back) is out vs. Lakers tonight, per Ime Udoka. Clint Capela will get the start and match up with Deandre Ayton.

x.com

Dave McMenamin: Deandre Ayton averaged 14.3 points on 71.4% and 10 rebounds in the Lakers’ last three games after leaving the DEN game early and missing IND. “Felt like I picked up my energy and my focus,” he said. “You know, I finally caught up with the team.”

x.com

Moreover, looking at the lineup data spells an even more interesting picture. That's because the Lakers' lineup of James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura is the worst James five-man lineup since 2007-08 (the first season with this kind of lineup data). That current Lakers' lineup has a -3.9 plus/minus together, the worst James-featured lineup in 19 years (we only counted lineups that had a minimum of 10 games and 20 minutes played together).

HoopsHype

Dave McMenamin: “We’re hopeful and optimistic that we’re going to get a consistent version of him down the stretch of the season” - JJ Redick on Deandre Ayton, who is back in the lineup today after missing most of the last two games with left knee soreness

Twitter

Dan Woike: JJ Redick says the Lakers believe LeBron James will be available Sunday with his elbow contusion. Maxi Kleber got imaging on his back and is day to day. Deandre Ayton is also day to day.

Twitter

Law Murray: The Los Angeles Lakers have ruled LeBron James (left elbow contusion, foot), Deandre Ayton (left knee soreness), and Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain) out for tonight vs Pacers It will be the first time since the All-Star Break that the Luka/Bron/AR three-man lineup won't play

x.com

Dave McMenamin: “I know as of lately he’s been getting a lot of backlash for his effort and his play. He understands it. I know it might not seem like it, but he does and he wants to do good and he wants to help this team” - Marcus Smart on Deandre Ayton

x.com

The Los Angeles Lakers lost starting center Deandre Ayton to a left knee issue early, then LeBron James to a left elbow injury late, and the team is now one technical foul away from losing Luka Doncic to a one-game suspension. Ayton played the first four minutes, 30 seconds of Thursday night's game against the Denver Nuggets before checking out after picking up a foul with L.A. already down 15-3.

ESPN

NBA on ESPN: “He doesn't play hard all the time. He's the key for them to get to that next level." @SHAQ weighs in on Deandre Ayton's role with the Lakers.

Twitter

Clint Capela on Instagram (regarding DeAndre Ayton): U got 2 of the best floor general in the game my dawg Lockinnn 🤣🤣

reddit

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton raised eyebrows this week when he was heard saying in the Lakers locker room his team is "trying to make me Clint Capela." Those remarks have indeed gotten back to Capela. The Houston Rockets center took a playful shot at Ayton Thursday night via his Instagram story. Sharing an ESPN post that contained Ayton's comments, Capela wrote "U got 2 of the best floor general in the game my dawg Lockinnn" and included two crying from laughter emojis.

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