05/10/2025
After the Lakers' preseason opener against the Phoenix Suns, DeAndre Ayton shared his thoughts on his performance. Despite a quiet debut with only one point on 0-of-2 shooting, he emphasized his commitment to defense, saying, "I'm not here for numbers. I'm just here for whatever the Lakers really want me to do." Ayton highlighted his defensive plays, including two blocks and eight rebounds, as evidence of his dedication to anchoring the team's defense.
He also expressed his excitement about playing with talented teammates like Luka Doncic and LeBron James, trusting they'll create scoring opportunities for him. Ayton mentioned, "I'm absorbing all of that. It (will) probably be hard not to touch the ball with those great playmakers, to be honest." Overall, Ayton's focus seems to be on contributing to the team's success, particularly on the defensive end, rather than individual stats.
