The Los Angeles Lakers continue learning a lesson Phoenix Suns fans have long known.
Deandre Ayton, for all his talent as a former No. 1 overall draft pick, continues to be an enigma. In early January, Lakers coach JJ Redick said that Ayton was “frustrated” because “he doesn’t feel like he’s getting the ball.”
It’s a familiar refrain from Ayton, who wants to be the go-to scoring option in the NBA, but has never shown that ability with any kind of consistency.
His motor has been questioned in the past, which, according to reporting from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, led the Lakers training staff to wrap DA’s water bottles with a “Space Jam”-esque message to drink his “crunk juice” in order to “unleash the beast.