The Los Angeles Lakers needed Deandre Ayton in the fourth quarter to defeat the Houston Rockets, and head coach JJ Redick terrifyingly said exactly that in his postgame presser. The former number one overall draft pick has the talent, but fans are frustrated by his inconsistent effort and unwillingness to buy into his role. The Lakers need him to be a rebounder, rim protector, and finisher around the rim. Ayton delivered against the Rockets, but nobody knows what to expect next time.
The 27-year-old has already been dumped by two franchises, including the one that drafted him over Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2018. Ayton is repeating the problems he had in Phoenix and Portland. His team just doesn't know what to expect from him.
Monday night in Houston was the perfect example. The final numbers look strong, but how Ayton got there was less than ideal. He played a key role in the fourth quarter, but the coaching staff was questioning putting him back in for clutch time.
JJ Redick admits the Lakers needed Deandre Ayton against the Rockets
Ayton only played 27 minutes on Monday night, and he was out from 4:55 left in the third until 4:52 remaining in the fourth. The Lakers went away from him only to need the big man in clutch time. Coach Redick told the story in his postgame presser.
“We had a decision to make about who the fifth guy was going to be in that timeout. We all recognized that he had not played in a significant portion of the game, and then you factor in the real-time effect of that. I was pretty adamant that I wanted him in the game. Greg went over to him and made sure he was ready to go. He was ready to, and then, he helped us win the game. And that’s what I told him.”
Ayton had six points and five rebounds in clutch time as the Lakers outscored the Rockets by nine in the eight-point victory. Coach Redick was right. LA needed the big man to combat the Rockets’ physicality. Houston went small in their closing group, but still had Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. on the floor. Ayton protecting the rim and cleaning the glass was a must.
That should terrify Lakers fans because nobody knows what to expect from Ayton. Los Angeles has won six straight as the big man has mostly bought into his role.
The purple and gold don’t need DominAyton. They just want him to do the little things like grab boards, set screens, and protect the rim. He did it down the stretch against the Rockets, and it resulted in another Lakers win against an elite opponent.
JJ Redick admitted the Los Angeles Lakers needed Deandre Ayton down the stretch against the Houston Rockets, and this could be their first-round playoff opponent. Fans don’t want to be relying on the seven-footer to win games. He is too inconsistent with his energy and effort.
When Ayton is locked in, the Lakers look elite. Luka Doncic has them playing like a serious threat. LA has won six straight, including victories over the Knicks, Timberwolves, Nuggets, and Rockets. Sadly, it could quickly fall apart if DA stops playing his role. It shouldn't happen, but it has in the past.
Hopefully, the bright lights of the playoffs get the big man to play as he did down the stretch against the Rockets. It would give the Lakers a puncher’s chance, but all fans can do is hope.