I wonder what the team fg% of the team with or without Reeves. I think Reeves is better at running the team than any other Laker, at least that's what the eye test says.
Finished the game with 15/8, 3 blocks and a steal, shooting 75% again. Played defense, fought hard for some rebounds, made two impressive full-court passes. I am not saying "feed the big dog in the post," but again... find a way to involve the guy. He can play.
He was really good in the second half . part of that was just the effort on the glass. unfortunately ayton is just going to be one of those guys who needs to be loved to play hard. he's just not the type to get pissed and try to bully his way to boards and putback dunks when the game isn't coming to him.
Bigs can't feed themselves," Ayton said after the game. "I just try my best to do what I can to bring effort, and I trust my playmakers out there to find me." The Lakers called their first play of the game for Ayton and he scored on a spinning, 9-foot turnaround hook shot. A couple of minutes later, Luka Doncic found a cutting Ayton with a pass under the basket and he finished the possession with a dunk on Memphis big man Jaren Jackson Jr. "He was great throughout the game," Redick said of Ayton. "I think that was good for him to just touch the basketball and feel like he's part of the offense. It's a tale as old as time for a big guy. That's the reality of being a big: Someone has to pass you the ball. You're not initiating the offense." Doncic and LeBron James controlled the offense together Sunday, scoring or assisting on 100 of L.A.'s 120 points, according to ESPN Insights. They passed to each other 15 times in the fourth quarter, according to ESPN Insights, tied for their most passes together in a fourth quarter this season He's actually right
He's shooting 70% - absolutely! Get the big man the ball in scoring position. He's been a bit underutilized so far.
contrarian time: maybe because everyone else felt like they needed to do more. guys relax when they see two of the best nba players in history on the floor. OR...he's shooting 70% because we use him sparingly. truth is in the middle, but it's not like if we just tried to feed ayton that he'd maintain his efficiency.
Meh he hit a slump and responded well. Good for JJ for pulling him to make sure Ayton knew if he wasn't performing that he'd pull him but still kept Ayton engaged so that he had mental space to come back and make up for the poorer games
For the most part, better activity. Better engagement. We looked for him and found him on 3...4? lobs. Several multiple tap (effort) rebound plays. BUT i think the quick hook is necessary so he doesn't get complacent and think that's OK. Exhibit A
it's not going fantastically of late. this actually impacts my thoughts on the trade deadline, tbh. if he's going to be meh, we might start thinking about plans that don't involve keeping much cap space free.
