Deandre Ayton knows the Lakers need him to be his best in the playoffs
Early in his career, the 7-foot center helped the Phoenix Suns reach the NBA Finals as a double-double machine. The Lakers need that again.
Lakers center Deandre Ayton dunks during a game against the Timberwolves at Crypto. com Arena this season. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times) The last time Deandre Ayton appeared in the playoffs was in 2023, when he was a member of the Phoenix Suns and viewed in NBA circles as having the potential to be a force as a center in the league.
A lot has changed since then. He’s on his second team since those days in Phoenix, playing two years for the Portland Trail Blazers and now the Lakers . He has been viewed by many as an inconsistent player who hasn’t reached his full potential.
Ayton has a chance to prove his worth, to show his critics he has the ability to be elite in the postseason when the Lakers open the first-round of the Western Conference playoffs Saturday against the Houston Rockets at Crypto. com Arena. “I love playing this game and I take great passion of playing on both ends of the floor,,” Ayton said after practice Wednesday.
"I still believe just being a two-way player in this league, that's truly my second nature, and that's how I want to be noted as in this league. It's just being an all-around, two-way superstar. Just taking passion on both ends of the floor.
Continue to the original source for the full article.