LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers come into their NBA Cup matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday as the No. 2 team in the Western Conference at 13-4. While the Lakers have gotten off to a good start, their defense can still be improved. One player, however, who has been making an impact defensively for the Lakers this season is Deandre Ayton.
Deandre Ayton has been the Lakers’ rim protector and interior presence on the defensive end, and he has a big assignment against the Mavericks with Anthony Davis set to make his return to the Dallas lineup from injury. During a media availability session following Lakers’ shootaround Friday morning, Ayton took a shot at his critics who have suggested that he doesn’t play defense.
“This question for me, Deandre Ayton, evaluating his defense, is quite crazy. I thought I had no defense. I can’t answer that for you. You’re going to have to read the numbers on what I’m contesting or what’s my shot percentage given,” Ayton said. “The last time I seen it, it was 20 percent lower for somebody’s shooting average. . .And I think I’m leading the league in switches as well, a big switching on a guard.”
Ayton has appeared in 15 games for the Lakers so far this season, and when he’s been on the court as the closest defender to the rim, opposing teams have shot 12.9 percent less than usual within six feet of the basket, as per Khobi Price of The Southern California News Group.
When it comes to the Lakers’ regular rotation, Ayton’s defensive rating of 113.9 is top-three on the roster, as per StatMuse. If you take out Jarred Vanderbilt, who has fallen out of JJ Redick’s rotation in recent games, Ayton is second behind only Luka Doncic in defensive rating.
There were a lot of narratives that surrounding Ayton during his time with the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers, but he’s been exactly what the Lakers have needed in a starting center.
Ayton also fired back at critics who didn’t think the Lakers would have been in this position to start the season record-wise, at 13-4.
“We were supposed to be 4-14. . .the way everybody was carrying on,” Ayton said. “That’s how everybody said it. I watch everything. I see everything.”
