I wouldn't be so sure about that. Granted, we'd probably still need to do Center by Committee for the first year or two to let the rookie develop properly into the NBA. Granted, IF this turn around from Ayton proves to be legit and something we can rely for the long term (which is a huge If imo), that would certainly make things a bit less stressful for us on Draft Night and offer us more directions we could go in with our pick selection. For example, if Ayton is our guy for the long haul, we could use our First on a wing or a smaller Big, rather than prioritizing getting a true 7 footer.
Ayton is looking at his career trajectory the wrong way. I feel for Ayton because he's in the same age and draft as Luka so he sees Luka getting paid $60m per year and Ayton likely has to settle for around $8-12 million but the problem for Ayton is he thinks he's better than he really is. The simple fact that he is publicly complaining about shot attempts when he has Luka, Reaves, and LeBron on his team is already a horrible look for him. If he wants more shot attempts, he has to fix how he's scoring the ball.. So many times he catches the ball and he dips the ball down and it gets swiped. Maybe it's his long arms or whatever that he feels more comfortable bringing up the ball from there but if he just put the ball up ASAP instead of hesitating, the ball likely goes in rather than it gets swiped or he's holding onto the ball and then the Lakers have to scramble on offense. Offensively, you can't run your offense through Ayton. He likes playing a halfcourt type system in a game where you need a faster-paced system. He's trying to be LaMarcus Aldridge or something which is just not what teams are looking for in today's game. If I am Ayton, I am looking at what Rudy Gobert is doing and trying to match that... That's more in line with what Ayton should be playing like if he wants a long, serviceable, and profitable career. If he turns up his defense, rebounds like a machine, blocks more shots, and just becomes super efficient with his shot attempts, he will easily be able to get paid $25 million per year for the next 5 years. There's a shortage of centers like that. If he thinks he can become the 22/10 guy where he's the 1st or 2nd focal point of the offense, he's going to find himself being a 2nd string center in the near future. A change in his mindset could unlock more opportunities for Ayton right now. He will be miserable and whining for the rest of his career if he goes that Aldridge route.
Great game by the big fella but man, 4 boards only? Gotta be getting way more than that when you're out there for 34 minutes.
Nice offensive game - but defensively he was good tonight. We're a different team with rim protection.
Dyo-yo is returning to early season form - who the f*** knows with him. Was it the injuries, smoking too much weed, getting his feeling butthurt, I have no idea. Just a bizzarre player you watch this guy the last 2 games and he looks easily like a top 10 center in the league
hartenstein, imo. no reason he can't do pretty much everything hartenstein does. someone show ayton hartenstein's film and then his paycheck.
He doesn’t have even a quarter the motor iHeart does. If he did, he wouldn’t always be moved from team to team.
it's so delightfully weird how during the win streak he has turned into a clutch performer. i love it, but am totally perplexed. like even my optimistic projections for ayton had him nailed to the bench to finish close games, lol. and keep it up with the offensive boards!
Ever since he embraced being the defensive/rebounding type of center, the Lakers have worked much better overall as a team. It seems a cloud has been lifted away. No more negative aura. Everyone on the team knew Ayton was displeased with the touches. Now that the air is cleared, it's just basketball and everyone playing their roles. The thing Ayton has to realize is he will get more $ if he helps the Lakers win the title by playing a solid role because then he becomes that "championship experience" center that teams can rely on!
Ayton was great to start the season and great in March, ironically both times we've been on streaks. I still believe he is a critical piece for us and will dictate how far we go. Locked in Ayton on the defensive end thats rolling hard to the hoop - we're probably in the conference final or lost in 7 in the Semi's. Poor Ayton on the bench and we're out in the second round in 5.
Yeah, this is the way to do it. Defense and rebounds... being active on the glass, especially offensively is absolutely huge for us.
