After a subdued debut for the Los Angeles Lakers, Deandre Ayton will already be feeling the pressure of suiting up in arguably the biggest media market in professional basketball.
The Lakers have a history of dominant and elite big men. Therefore, the fanbase has a certain level of expectation from their centers, especially when the team is viewed as a potential contender. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Shaquille O’Neal has already laid out some expectations and challenges for Ayton moving forward.
“Listen, DeAndre, ‘Domin-Ayton’ that performance you had yesterday, I need you to step it up, my boy,” Shaq said in ESPN’s postgame broadcast. “You’ve got to do three things. You got to rebound, and you got to block shots, and you got to dominate…You had a small guy guarding you in the post. You turn around and shoot a fadeaway. That’s not going to get it done,” O’Neal continued. “When they make the little bounce pass, catch it and throw it down.”
Ayton joined the Lakers during the summer, after the Portland Trail Blazers bought out his contract. The former first-overall draft pick has a lot to prove after years of struggling to reach his potential. As such, he would be wise to listen and try to implement the advice O’Neal is giving to him.
Ayton Offers Explanation For Quiet Lakers’ Debut
When speaking to the media after the Lakers’ season-opening loss, Ayton provided a head-scratching assessment of his performance.
“Today I realized, I’m probably a confusing big,” Ayton said. “When I can roll and stand just in the pocket, it’s probably a little difficult for them sometimes. I’m so used to the league having that low man on me, so sometimes I can’t even finish a roll.”
Ayton is in his eighth season as an NBA player. He should be more than capable of adapting to a variety of defensive coverages. Ayton has to find his footing within the Lakers’ offensive system; otherwise, his tenure with the franchise will undoubtedly be short-lived.
Doncic Takes Blame For Ayton’s Struggles
After the game, Luka Doncic shouldered the blame for Ayton’s struggles against the Golden State Warriors. The superstar forward noted how he has to do a better job of getting Ayton touches on offense.
“Have to do a better job, just talking to him, like what I want and what he wants,” Doncic said. “Today was on me, not getting him enough touches probably. Gotta help him.”
Doncic is a heliocentric talent. Everything flows around him. Therefore, it’s natural that the ball often sticks in his hands, even if for too long at times. Nevertheless, the more Doncic can involve Ayton, the better it will be for the Lakers. After all, we’ve seen how dominant Doncic can be when he’s thriving next to a center he trusts.
Still, even if Doncic does adjust and helps increase Ayton’s touches, the offensive system will need to change again once LeBron James is back from injury. For now, though, the focus should be on building Ayton’s confidence and empowering him to be a dominant force. If that means Doncic makes a concerted effort to force-feed Ayton the ball, then so be it.
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