EL SEGUNDO — The idea of LeBron James behind the wheel of a sports car seemed astonishing for new Lakers center Deandre Ayton.
That feeling was especially evident on Tuesday, when Ayton got to witness it firsthand as part of a team-bonding experience for players initiated by Luka Doncic.
“I truly appreciate Luka for that,” Ayton said after Wednesday’s practice. “I’ve never done that before, where the star players really look out for the team like that. Something like that is actually crazy. I’ve never heard of it or been in a Porsche before. So it definitely was my first time.”
Doncic organized for him and his teammates to take part in a Porsche driving experience after Tuesday’s practice.
The 26-year-old Lakers star guard’s affinity for cars is well-known: the Jordan Brand ad that was released ahead of Doncic’s first game against his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, on Feb. 25 in Los Angeles, featured a Koenigsegg – which also made an appearance outside Crypto.com Arena before tipoff – with a license plate of Doncic’s No. 77.
Doncic said he owns 13 cars during an interview with Overtime last September.
“I didn’t know that Luka was into cars like that,” Ayton said. “Him and LeBron. It was good seeing them behind the wheel. Seeing LeBron behind a car is dangerous.”
Despite his 7-foot, 252-pound frame, Ayton didn’t have any trouble driving a Porsche.
“They had some cars where they could hold a 7-footer,” Ayton said. “I don’t know if it was custom or that’s how they’re made or some other factors. But just seeing LeBron James in a sports car pushing, I was like, ‘Yo, he knows cars.’ Him doing his thing, that was pretty cool to see.”
But more than having the experience of driving luxury sports cars, Tuesday’s Doncic-led activity offered Lakers players an opportunity to bond and connect off of the court.
“Like our habits and our communication and our shape, you don’t become a team overnight,” Coach JJ Redick said. “It’s a long season. The more guys can do that off the court, I think the better team [we’ll be].”
Redick quipped: “A little disappointed, to be honest with you, I didn’t get invited, but I’m not a player anymore.”
And the fact Doncic was the one who organized the outing made it even more significant, another example of his growing comfort after he was shockingly traded from Dallas to the Lakers in February.
“Any time some of our max players and guys that have been in the league a while can put something on for the team is great,” veteran guard Gabe Vincent said. “It’s great when we come together, do something a little bit more extravagant maybe than we would have on our own. Everyone gets to walk away with some cool [expletive].
“Most importantly, you get to do it together. Sharing experiences is one of the quickest ways to grow closer. We’re very grateful Luka for putting that one. Everyone had a great time. It’s been great to see him get more comfortable. Obviously, the way he came here was a big [shock] to the world. I’m sure to him as well. He’s done a lot of work to be around more, be on his guys more and just to be himself more comfortable and more involved.”
AVAILABILITY
Redick didn’t have status updates on any players Wednesday, besides guard Marcus Smart not practicing and staying home because of flu-like symptoms.
Doncic and James once again mostly participated in individual work.
Ayton is eager for practice alongside them.
“It’s something I just be waiting on,” Ayton said. “Just got to prepare. JJ and the coaching staff probably have something where they can put stuff in for all of us to really build chemistry.”