Ayton was asked what it’s been like working with Luka and LeBron: “I haven’t. It’s something I’ve just been waiting on.”

46 comments

1. Wut

2. Any word on why Luka isn’t practicing with the team?

3. I’m honestly disappointed in the way training camp/preseason is being handled. They complained last year about not having any practices to build chemistry and install new sets yet here we are deep into training camp and we’re load managing guys who aren’t even hurt?

4. They probably haven’t actually practice all together at full speed considering Luka’s offseason and LeBrons age

5. why isnt luka doing on court stuff? I understand taking a few practices off and skipping preseason but he was healthy coming out of eurocup… wouldn’t it still be a priority to get some reps in with the guy who is going to be your primary pnr partner for the foreseeable future?

6. This is really weird.

7. This isn’t an Ayton issue this is an org issue.

   All these new pieces and guys haven’t been in training camp together…

   I don’t want to hear any chemistry excuses during the season.

8. Team chemistry = 0%

9. I really don’t get why they are limiting both LeBron and Luka like this. The new players need to get acclimated to playing with them. They don’t have to go all out or anything just some training camp work together will help us a lot during our first week of the season

10. It’s well documented that Bron said he’s trying to save his body but I don’t understand the reason for not incorporating Luka sooner. I trust JJ but if he says they are behind on practices and building chemistry into the season it’s going to be frustrating.

11. Love Luka and lebron but wtf? We weren’t good enough last year to treat training camp like we won a chip. We got whooped 4-1

12. We have what feels like a 10 year trend of being complete ass in the preseason.

13. Our 2 best players getting zero reps with the team is laughable.

14. Horrible sign 😭

15. This is fucking embarrassing. Every other team that’s healthy is going hardcore and we’re just playing with our dicks.

16. So what the fuck have we been doing 😭

17. If we start 0-5 I’m going to personally infiltrate and destroy jj’s chat gpt account

18. With the way things are going now, Lakers should be worried in early regular season. I hope this doesn’t bite the team.

19. I appreciate his honesty.

20. Why build chemistry with new teammates in the preseason when we can use the start of the season in a super competitive western conference and just take losses as we learn to play together? What the actual fuck.

21. I like this a lot from Ayton. It takes courage as a new guy on the team to stand up and more or less call out the team for needing to get on it. Time to get to work soon.

22. Little stuff like this is making me uneasy

23. This kind of prep for the season ain’t it if we want to win a chip.

24. This is not good, I don’t want to hear no excuses, Luka ain’t 40 years old

25. Fucking Jokic was in eurobasket and he hasn’t missed a preseason game. And we can’t get a practice.

26. Luka/LeBron preseason = Games 1 through 10 regular season

27. I’m not blaming JJ for this, this org doesn’t take the preseason serious at all. If it were up to Rob the team wouldn’t play preseason lol.

    ATP the league needs to force us to go overseas and demand Luka and LeBron play 1 exhibition game.

28. I guess we can trust Ayton to answer the truth in interviews. On opening night, everyone’s gonna expect him to be this amazing lob threat with Luka, and that’s not gonna be fair if they have never played together.

29. I’m not sure what is going on, but I don’t like what is happening in pre season. Players say they will finally have a training camp together then they are not training with each other, it sucks.

30. I understand keeping Luka out of some preseason games, but hopefully he’s at least at practice.

31. I’d rather have Luka at 100% for regular season

    Why are they being extra careful? Because you saw how last season went

    They know what they are doing, I get it fans want to watch him play but waiting will be better in long run

32. Zero team chemistry

    Real head scratcher

33. Mavs fan here. This happened every season with us due to him playing for his national team. No chemistry in the beginning of the season.

    Typically we were playoff lock-ins after each All-Star break, as Luka got into his best shape + gelled with the final team roster, post trade deadline. 

    This time around he’s in prime shape, so expect to look like the little rascals 1/3rd of the season and then transform to Super Saiyan.

34. Practice … we talking about practice

35. Like I said, we gonna look like ass opening the season lol

36. Luka should be in practice at the very least….

37. Ayton being the main one who wants to work hard yet the FO/medical staff keeping everyone else from working hard is kinda hilarious

38. I stg if we start 1-4 or something

39. Luka is a killer on the court. Lebron is arguably the goat. Both generational players. Let them rest if they need it. They’re both in shape, they’re both healthy. The rest of the squad need to get ready to catch some bullets

40. Kai Cenat has had more time with LeBron than our starting center

41. This man is the weakest cente in the league it’s embarrassing to watch him play

42. Lakers have a weird strategy of not using pre season to build chemistry or get better at all.

43. That’s not good at all. What the fuck man. We are two weeks away from the season opener.

44. Luka didnt practice with Gafford and Washington either but their first points are from lobs by Luka Doncic

45. Imagine running your whole offense thru luka but luka is not practicing. Goodluck on that

46. It’s because Chat Riley would rather yell at the media instead of getting his team ready for the season.