The Los Angeles Lakers were poised to have a big season. Luka Doncic had a full training camp, LeBron James returned, and LA brought in Deandre Ayton to replace Anthony Davis.
Now, no one believed Ayton would fill Davis’s shoes, but he was supposed to add toughness inside that the Lakers desperately needed. Despite averaging 12.6 points and 8.2 rebounds this season, Ayton hasn’t really made much of an impact.
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Former LeBron teammate, and three-time NBA champion, Udonis Haslem, has noticed Ayton’s play, especially his mentality, and called him out over it.
“We’re talking about buying in. I understand you might not be Clint Capela, but let me tell you something: that’s a loser mentality,” Haslem said. “If this is what your team needs from you to put them in a position to win a championship, then you have to buy in and play your role.
“Let me tell you something. I played with the Big Three. The other twelve of us did not have the roles we wanted,” Haslem explained. “The only three people who had the roles they wanted were them. Everybody else had to fill in the gaps and play a role to help win. You are no different, Deandre Ayton.”
Haslem is absolutely correct. Ayton appears to be unhappy in LA and it’s likely because of the role he plays. Ultimately, when you play alongside Doncic and LeBron, you’re not going to have a major role on offense.
If Ayton can buy into his role and pick up his defensive effort, maybe the Lakers have a chance in a crowded Western Conference.
