Ayton, whose inconsistent profession hit a brand new low in Portland, the place he was purchased out of his contract and criticized for a poor work ethic, smiled at what he known as “the biggest stage.” The previous No. 1 total choose is able to launch his revenge tour with the Lakers.
“It’s the biggest opportunity, I can say, of my career,” Ayton mentioned Monday at Lakers media day. “Some people say it’s my last leg, some people say it’s my last chance. Well, it’s the opportunity I can say I’m truly not going to take for granted.”
Marcus Sensible is aware of the sensation. The 2022 defensive participant of the 12 months is coming off a contract buyout in Washington. After 9 years and three all-defensive staff honors with the Boston Celtics, Sensible has performed in simply 54 video games over two injury-plagued years with Memphis and Washington. The 31-year-old acknowledges some might have forgotten the “Celtics’ Marcus Smart” — the participant who guarded all 5 positions, knocked down well timed threes and introduced contagious, tone-setting toughness.
The Lakers nonetheless bear in mind.
“I know what he brings to the game,” LeBron James mentioned. “I know that team is first, second, third, fourth, fifth, when it comes to Marcus Smart.”
Regardless of his resume and standing within the league, Sensible doesn’t count on computerized entry to the Lakers’ beginning lineup.
“Whether I start or come off the bench,” Sensible mentioned, “my presence will be made.”
Lakers guard Marcus Sensible takes half in media day at UCLA Well being Coaching Middle on Monday.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Instances)
Sensible’s defensive prowess might be a major enhance to a beginning group that figures to incorporate James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Rui Hachimura, who began in 57 of his 59 regular-season appearances final season, is within the remaining 12 months of his contract after averaging 13.1 factors and 5 rebounds per sport final season.
Dealing with the potential for coming off the bench forward of a contract 12 months, Hachimura mentioned he would defer to coaches to resolve what was finest. Coach JJ Redick mentioned the staff has seven or eight starting-caliber gamers, and the beginning lineup doesn’t weigh closely on his thoughts coming into his second season on the helm.
However Ayton’s beginning place feels solidified.
The middle was the Lakers’ most vital offseason addition after the blockbuster commerce that introduced Doncic to L.A. additionally left the staff with no beginning heart. Jaxson Hayes, who was thrust into the beginning position out of necessity however fell out of the rotation through the playoffs, will probably be a useful one-two punch with Ayton at heart, James mentioned. Ahead Maxi Kleber, who performed solely 5 minutes after becoming a member of the staff through the midseason commerce with Dallas, mentioned he’s absolutely wholesome after a prolonged foot damage.
Kleber, 33, is aware of firsthand the affect Doncic can have on a put up participant’s profession. Kleber has performed with Doncic for the reason that Slovenian celebrity was drafted in 2018 and marveled at Doncic’s capability to get simple photographs for his teammates. Lob probabilities will begin falling from the sky like by no means earlier than for Ayton.
After training collectively within the offseason, Kleber recommended Ayton for getting stronger and including to his bodily presence on the court docket. Redick has challenged your complete roster to reach in “championship shape.”
Ayton didn’t want the extra motivation.
“You guys have an Angry Ayton,” the 27-year-old mentioned, “where I’ve been disrespected most of my career and just been doubted. And I’m here where all [that is] behind me and I can add all that fuel into winning and playing alongside Luka.”
Doncic, out for his personal redemption after final 12 months’s commerce and conversations about his weight and work ethic, was keen to start his first coaching camp with the Lakers. Coming off a quarterfinals look at EuroBasket with the Slovenian nationwide staff, Doncic mentioned he felt stronger and faster on the court docket after his offseason bodily transformation. One of many league’s pick-and-roll savants, Doncic ought to assist Ayton rediscover the dominance he flashed whereas serving to the Phoenix Suns attain the NBA Finals in 2021 and put up a franchise-record 64 wins in 2022.
Lastly again within the NBA highlight with a brand new staff, Ayton relishes the prospect to chase extra significant information.
“You can feel the pressure through the door,” Ayton mentioned. “This team wants to win a championship.”
