Originally published by LakersNation.com
At this stage of the NBA season, teams are supposed to be playing their best basketball. However, Austin Reaves and the Los Angeles Lakers are sliding after losing two consecutive close games on game-winners.
Los Angeles recently got Reaves back from a calf injury and Luka Doncic from his hamstring issue. This is the most healthy this team has been all year, and yet they cannot find ways to stack wins.
An area of worry is the center position, particularly Deandre Ayton, as his production has dipped significantly compared to the beginning of the year. Reaves maintains belief in Ayton, calling him an X factor if L.A. looks to make any postseason noise, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN:
“That guy right there is the X factor,” Reaves told ESPN, gesturing to Ayton. “He changes our ceiling.”
When signs were pointing to the former No. 1 overall pick joining the Lakers this summer, he added an offensively skilled big man to the mix that they did not have last year. Reaves and Ayton developed a great on-court connection before the injuries and unfortunately, Reaves was forced to miss extended time.
That marked a downward spiral for the starting center as he did not receive as many post touches or was not put into position to score. That has led to Ayton checking out mentally a bit, not finishing games with JJ Redick looking for other options.
When Ayton gets a double-double, the Lakers have been nearly unbeatable and he can still provide much-needed offense to take off some pressure of Reaves, Doncic and LeBron James. However, who knows if Redick can find a way to get his offense humming where everyone is happy.
Rockets’ Clint Capela responds to Deandre Ayton
With the Lakers playing some of their worst basketball currently, outside noise followed. When things are not going well, rumors and stories begin to circulate describing the locker room dynamic.
This happened after Los Angeles’ home loss to the Orlando Magic as Deandre Ayton made a comment surrounding his role, taking a jab at Houston Rockets center Clint Capela. After another subpar outing against his former team in the Phoenix Suns, Capela took to social media to respond back to Ayton’s comments.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
At this stage of the NBA season, teams are supposed to be playing their best basketball. However, Austin Reaves and the Los Angeles Lakers are sliding after losing two consecutive close games on game-winners.
Los Angeles recently got Reaves back from a calf injury and Luka Doncic from his hamstring issue. This is the most healthy this team has been all year, and yet they cannot find ways to stack wins.
An area of worry is the center position, particularly Deandre Ayton, as his production has dipped significantly compared to the beginning of the year. Reaves maintains belief in Ayton, calling him an X factor if L.A. looks to make any postseason noise, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN:
“That guy right there is the X factor,” Reaves told ESPN, gesturing to Ayton. “He changes our ceiling.”
When signs were pointing to the former No. 1 overall pick joining the Lakers this summer, he added an offensively skilled big man to the mix that they did not have last year. Reaves and Ayton developed a great on-court connection before the injuries and unfortunately, Reaves was forced to miss extended time.
That marked a downward spiral for the starting center as he did not receive as many post touches or was not put into position to score. That has led to Ayton checking out mentally a bit, not finishing games with JJ Redick looking for other options.
When Ayton gets a double-double, the Lakers have been nearly unbeatable and he can still provide much-needed offense to take off some pressure of Reaves, Doncic and LeBron James. However, who knows if Redick can find a way to get his offense humming where everyone is happy.
Rockets’ Clint Capela responds to Deandre Ayton
With the Lakers playing some of their worst basketball currently, outside noise followed. When things are not going well, rumors and stories begin to circulate describing the locker room dynamic.
This happened after Los Angeles’ home loss to the Orlando Magic as Deandre Ayton made a comment surrounding his role, taking a jab at Houston Rockets center Clint Capela. After another subpar outing against his former team in the Phoenix Suns, Capela took to social media to respond back to Ayton’s comments.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
