Deandre Ayton Says Austin Reaves Is Learning How to Play With Him
deandre-ayton-says-austin-reaves-is-learning-how-to-play-with-him
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton believes guard Austin Reaves is rapidly getting in sync with his style of play after the duo propelled the team past the Sacramento Kings.
Reaves posted a career-best 51 points and narrowly missed a triple-double in the victory, while Ayton delivered his most productive outing since joining the Lakers, finishing with 22 points and 15 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass.
Speaking to Spectrum SportsNet after the game, Ayton said Reaves has been “dissecting” his tendencies since training camp and now understands when the big man is fully engaged. “If I’m offensive rebounding and dunking the ball, yeah, I’m here,” Ayton noted. “He gave me the burst I needed where he got on my back.”
The center added that extended preseason and camp work with Reaves has helped compensate for limited floor time alongside Luka Dončić and LeBron James. With James and Dončić currently sidelined, Reaves and Ayton have assumed primary roles in the lineup.
Ayton also revealed that teammates have been “trolling” him before games to sharpen his focus, a tactic the Lakers hope will keep the former No. 1 overall pick playing “on edge” when rebounding and finishing at the rim.
Source: Lakers Nation
