Ayton recalls first LeBron alley-oop after repeat connection in Lakers victory
ayton-recalls-first-lebron-alley-oop-lakers-victory
LOS ANGELES — Deandre Ayton needed only a moment to remember the first time LeBron James tossed him a lob. The second came Tuesday night in the Lakers’ 140-126 win over the Utah Jazz.
Making his season debut after missing 14 games with sciatica, the 40-year-old James backed down Jazz forward Cody Williams, spun left and lofted an alley-oop to Ayton. The 7-foot center finished the dunk for his sixth point and James’ third assist.
Afterward, Ayton, 27, told James the play felt familiar. “That’s my second alley-oop from you,” he said, laughing. “The first one was when I was in eighth grade at your camp.”
Ayton attended the 2014 LeBron James camp in Las Vegas as a rising high-school sophomore. During one drill, James joined the campers, delivered a lob to the teenager and watched him convert. “I couldn’t believe he threw it,” Ayton recalled. “And here I am again, can’t believe he threw the lob.”
On Tuesday, Ayton finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds, while James recorded 11 points and 12 assists.
Source: ESPN
