Lakers are trying to unlock the greatness in Deandre Ayton

Welcome again to the Lakers publication, the place we dive into how to get the greatest out of massive man Deandre Ayton and listen to iconic Lakers coach Pat Riley reward present Lakers coach JJ Redick and his group.

The conundrum that’s Deandre Ayton is now dwelling with the Lakers.

They see the expertise and expertise. But they are nonetheless looking for the proper methods to maximize what Ayton can supply.

They see the ardour and love for the sport. They need to get that out of Ayton on a constant foundation.

They see his sensitivity. They know that to carry out the greatest in Ayton takes endurance and fixed encouragement.

When the Lakers watched movie of their loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday, Redick used strains like “there’s positive trends” with Ayton and features like “he could be better” in sure cases.

That is the paradox of Ayton.

As the Lakers enter the stretch run of the season with 26 video games remaining, they want Ayton to play at the next degree extra regularly in the event that they are to achieve success.

Against the Celtics, Ayton had simply 4 factors on two-for-six taking pictures. He had seven rebounds, one help and one blocked shot.

“There’s positive trends,” Redick mentioned after observe Monday. “We did watch some film today. There was some real positive trends defensively. I think his spirit and commitment and stuff has been really good. I think for all the guys, if he has a smaller player on him, that’s an advantage for us. Let’s just get him the ball. I think it’s just thematically across the team, we have to pass it to each other more and trust each other more. …

“There was a clip final evening or a play final evening, Jaylen Brown goes to the ground. We’ve received a five-on-four and he [Ayton] goes at about 20% velocity the place it is clearly a man-down state of affairs. So in phrases of him operating and placing strain on the rim and offensive rebounding, significantly towards switches and smaller gamers, he could possibly be higher there.”

However, Redick, his employees and Ayton’s teammates need to be clear that they assist him always.

Earlier this season, Redick gave his 7-foot middle a T-shirt that includes Ayton’s face mixed with the likeness of a lion.

“We want him to be the lion,” Redick mentioned then.

“I have his back,” Redick mentioned Monday. “These guys, we try to make them understand my job is to help the Lakers try to win basketball games. And so nothing is ever personal. If he doesn’t close a game, it’s not personal. It’s because I think there’s a better option. And that’s not just true for him personally. There’s three guys essentially on our team that if they’re on the lineup, they’re going to close games and everybody else [will rotate]. “We talked about that today.”

Ayton is producing the lowest averages of his NBA career in points (13.0), rebounds (8.4) and minutes (28.1). His field-goal attempts (8.9) and makes (5.9) are low too, but he’s shooting a career-high 66.6%.

“He’s done OK,” said Marcus Smart, who sits next to Ayton in the ‘locker room. “You know, he positively could possibly be higher; all of us might. But the factor I really like about it’s he understands it and he is working. We all are trying to determine it out; that is new to all people. He’s doing his greatest, however he understands it is one other notch that we want him to go to, and we’re going to attempt to get him there and assist with that. But he is aware of he is received to do his half as properly.”

Ayton plays on a team with three dominant ballhandlers in Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, and it is their job to feed the 7-footer. Getting Ayton activated has been a positive for the Lakers. When he doesn’t get the touches, Ayton hasn’t been as productive.

Still, NBA scouts say Ayton can do a little more himself. He can run harder on the fast break, signal his man down low and play with force, roll to the basket with a purpose, use his athleticism to his advantage and play defense and rebound at a higher level.

Ayton came into the NBA with high expectations, the first overall pick in the 2018 draft, even going ahead of Doncic. Over five seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Ayton was a double-double machine, averaging 16.7 points and 10.4 rebounds. He shot the ball more, averaging 12.5 field goal attempts per game. I have averaged 12.8 in two seasons in Portland.

With the Lakers, he’s had to adjust his game.

“I’m sure it’s a big adjustment,” Smart said. “It was an adjustment for me when I came in… The type of player I was in college and coming in and the way I played both offensively and defensively, [now I’m] taking a more defensive approach more than offensive. So it definitely can be frustrating and it’s definitely a challenge because you still value and look at the opportunity that you have to be that person. But unfortunately, sometimes the circumstances don’t call for it. That’s the hard part, understanding that early. Like I said, we could all do better at that because we all want to win. Deandre is doing the best he can, and we appreciate that. We love it too because he also uses that to motivate himself, which can be a good thing.”

Riley praises Redick, Lakers

After Pat Riley had his statue unveiled Sunday on Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena, he took time to praise Redick.

Riley led the Lakers to four NBA championships in the ’80s, his coaching style a big part of the Showtime era. He likes what he sees out of Redick and the Lakers.

“I really like JJ. I actually do,” Riley said. “I competed towards him. My groups competed towards him, , in varied groups that he performed with. He’s a fiery man. He might shoot the hell out of the ball. He was powerful as nails, . I do not know. Sometimes I look again and I keep in mind myself at the moment and I checked out JJ and I believe they picked the proper individual [for the Lakers job]. There’s only a high quality about him, I believe, that goes above and past.

“And they have a hell of a team for him right here, right now with Doncic and Reaves and obviously with LeBron. And so I think Rob [Pelinka, president of basketball operations] will continue with the new ownership to build that team and to complement those players. But they have a great opportunity and I think JJ will be a great coach for it.”

On tap

Tuesday vs. Orlando (30-26), 7:30 p.m.

The Magic are a deep and versatile team, with six players who score in double figures. Paolo Banchero leads them in scoring (21.5) and rebounds (8.4) and is second in assists (5.0). He’s shooting 45% from the field. Desmond Bane is one of three Orlando players averaging more than 20 points at 20.1, making 48.3% of his shots and 38.8% of his threes. He just dropped 36 in a win over the Clippers on the second night of a back-to-back.

Thursday at Phoenix (33-25), 7 p.m. PST

Injuries are starting to take a toll on the Suns. Dillon Brooks has a broken left hand and is reportedly out four to six weeks. This comes on the heels of All-Star Devin Booker missing at least one week because of a right hip strain and fellow guards Grayson Allen (ankle/knee) and Jordan Goodwin (calf) also dealing with injuries.

Saturday at Golden State (30-27), 5:30 p.m.

The Warriors don’t have All-Star guard Stephen Curry (knee) and forward Jimmy Butler (torn ACL), leaving them without a lot of offensive firepower. The Warriors have been leaning on guard Brandin Podziemski to keep them afloat. He is averaging 12.1 points per game.

Sunday vs. Sacramento (12-46), 6:30 p.m.

The Kings have the worst record in the NBA. They have three players with season-ending surgeries — De’Andre Hunter (eye), Domantas Sabonis (knee) and Zach LaVine (hand).

Status report

Jaxson Hayes: right ankle injury

Redick said Hayes, who left Sunday’s game, got an MRI on Monday that showed his ankle had “a little bruise.” Hayes, the backup center, is day to day, Redick said. The Lakers listed Hayes as doubtful for Tuesday night’s game against the Magic at Crypto.com Arena.

“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow morning,” Redick said..

Favorite factor I ate this week

Risotto col codeghin e la peara from Tre Risotti Trattoria.

(Thuc Nhi Nguyen / Los Angeles Times)

Ciao! It’s Thuc Nhi checking in a final time from the Olympics. My final dinner of the Games had to honor northern Italy, so instead of just pizza or pasta, I went searching specifically for risotto. In Verona, before the closing ceremony, I asked the server at Tre Risotti Trattoria what the most popular risotto was and she suggested the risotto cabbage codeghin e la peara (risotto with sausage and pepper sauce). She didn’t miss. The salty, creamy bite with the crunchy crouton around the plate was the ideal way to end my third Olympic Games. Arrivederci!

In case you missed it

With Pat Riley watching, Lakers routed by Celtics in rivalry game

Plaschke: During statue unveiling, Pat Riley reminds the disjointed Lakers of keys to winning

Statue outside Lakers’ arena is another first for Pat Riley, the consummate coach

Luka Doncic and Lakers hold off Clippers after Kawhi Leonard exits late

Lon Rosen to take over business operations for the Lakers

Until subsequent time…

As at all times, cross alongside your ideas to me at thucnhi.nguyen@latimes.comand please take into account subscribing for those who like our work!