Deandre Ayton Embraces Role as Lakers’ Starting Center and Defensive Anchor
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LOS ANGELES — Deandre Ayton made his Crypto.com Arena debut in a Lakers uniform on Sunday night and posted 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block in 26 minutes as Los Angeles beat the Golden State Warriors 126-116 in preseason play.
Afterward, the 27-year-old center said protecting the paint will be his top priority this season. “Just really changing the narrative of protecting the rim on the defensive end,” Ayton told Spectrum SportsNet. “JJ has really put an emphasis that he wants his bigs protecting the rim, so I’m just trying to be a big part of that… let the world know and the league know that I’m the Lakers center and I’m the anchor of the defense.”
Accustomed to boos in previous visits with the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers, Ayton welcomed the cheers from the home crowd. “I wanted to come home and feel the fans and feel that energy,” he said. “Today was a good little warmup. I know it’s not an official game, but they definitely showed some love to me and I enjoyed it.”
Redick Outlines Expectations
Head coach JJ Redick, guiding the Lakers through his first preseason at the helm, explained what he wants from his new starting center. “We’re going to ask a lot of him as a screener and a rim runner and the anchor of our defense, so there has to be some level of freedom,” Redick said. “I think for all our bigs, their ability to put pressure on the rim as a runner and as a lob threat is really important.”
Redick added that Ayton gives the team a post option it lacked after last season’s trade-deadline moves. “If teams do go to red switches, he historically has been great at punishing smaller defenders at the front of the rim,” the coach noted. With roughly two weeks until the regular-season opener, Redick said each player’s role will become more defined once LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves return to the floor.
For Ayton, the early directive is clear: set screens, run the floor and protect the rim—all while embracing the spotlight that comes with wearing purple and gold.
Source: Lakers Nation
