Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton has become public enemy No. 1 in some circles, but head coach JJ Redick doesn't seem to see it exactly as others do. He challenged Ayton to improve individually with words that left lines a mile wide to read between, but also acknowledged the other players' responsibility to help.
Though it's unfair to assume Redick's intent, the message was loud, clear, and impossible to ignore: Ayton must increase his energy levels on defense and his teammates must do their jobs, as well.
Ayton has been the epitome of polarizing during his first season with the Lakers. He's turned in several eye-opening performances that reminded fans of why he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, but has also palyed with lackluster energy and consistency on defense.
According to Law Murray of The Athletic, Redick spoke candidly about the Lakers' underwhelming rim protection and called on his bigs to be more active and his perimeter players to prevent penetration.
“Just the consistency of our low man you know,” Redick said. “We’re one of the worst teams at defending the rim. That’s not on our bigs, that’s on everybody. So we’ve had stretches, I thought, if you look at our good defensive games, our low man’s really active, our low man is giving paint consequences.”
Considering the fact that Ayton has received enough individual criticism in 2025-26 to last a lifetime, Redick ensuring that everyone is called out simultaneously is a powerful move.
JJ Redick addresses rim protection woes, calls out bigs and perimeter players
Los Angeles is currently No. 20 in the NBA in points allowed in the paint and No. 28 in opponent field goal percentage within five feet of the rim. Both statistics reflect how woeful their efforts have been to generate sufficient resistance under the basket.
As the starting center, Ayton has inevitably shouldered much of the criticism for the team's inability to protect the paint at a sufficient level.
The criticism centering around Ayton, however, isn't quite as simple as his coming up short as a rim protector. Many have questioned the consistency of the energy he's putting forth on the defensive end of the floor, which he has all but complete control over.
Redick's comments seem to be in line with that concern, as he's called on his big men to be more active down low and offer "consequences" to the action of driving on the Lakers.
What makes Redick's comments so perfectly placed, however, is that he isn't lumping on Ayton during a trying time. He's holding everyone to a high standard, and instead of calling out a specific player, is instead acknowledging the team's need to improve overall.
Considering the Lakers have ranked in the top half of the NBA in defensive rating since Feb. 1, it's safe to assume Redick's style of communication has been getting through.