The Los Angeles Lakers got a big win over the ailing Philadelphia 76ers. JJ Redick’s team held on to get a 112-108 road win and take their record to 17-6 and stay in second place in the Western Conference.
Lakers big man Deandre Ayton had a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double and didn’t miss any of his seven shots in the win. Nevertheless, per Coach Redick, it was his ‘disruptive’ defense that helped set the tone for the win.
Ayton, however, couldn’t disagree more with his coach. That’s why, when asked about that, he shared one of the most hilarious responses we’ve heard in recent years.
Deandre Ayton agrees to disagree with JJ Redick
"I'mma be real: I don't know what (JJ) talking about. I don't know. I just do what I have to do. I thank him but I ain't know what I did out there," Ayton said, per Oh No He Didn’t.
Ayton has never been known for his rim protection, defensive instincts, or expertise. He’s a pick-and-roll threat and an athletic big man who can dominate the boards when he’s locked in. Even so, his coach loved what he saw from him on the defensive end of the floor:
“We gave up 60 points in the first half, and then to come back in the second half and defend the way we did was awesome,” Redick said. “And I thought DA, in particular, led on that end of the floor for us. We just talked about it in the locker room; he did a ton of stuff.
The Lakers coach also praised Ayton’s hustle and the way he held his own on the perimeter and against smaller players:
“He was in drop being disruptive,” Redick added. “He was getting loose balls. He was blocking shots. He was switching on to [Tyrese] Maxey. Just whatever we needed him to do on that end of the floor in the second half, he was great.”
Ayton may never live up to the hype and his potential as a former No. 1 pick, but it’s not like the Lakers need him to be that guy, either.
They just need him to be an interior presence on offense and hold his ground on both ends of the glass.
Of course, they will gladly take anything he may give them on the defensive end of the floor, but not even he sounds too convinced about his potential in that regard.