Luka on finding Ayton: “I think he prefers that pocket pass. I didn’t play with—I dont think—with a center like that. I think he prefers the pocket. So like I said before, we need to talk about it. And we need to get him more touches”

Luka on finding Ayton: "I think he prefers that pocket pass. I didn't play with—I dont think—with a center like that. I think he prefers the pocket. So like I said before, we need to talk about it. And we need to get him more touches"
byu/sewsgup inlakers

34 comments

  1. This is why you shouldve played more in preseason. Luka still has the connection with Hayes but doesn’t with ayton. However I assume it will get better like it did with Hayes. Just do it soon

  2. Has Luka not watched a single Ayton game before lol, al he does in the pnr is set a soft screen then park his ass at the FT line waiting for the guard to pass him the ball for a jumper/hook shot.

    When he does roll to the rim is always weak af with cuestionable hands catching the ball

  4. You know there’s a thing called training camp and pre season. This is exactly what I was scared of and ppl here were down voting cause “it’s preseason” like that’s when ur suppose to figure it out. Now we gotta deal with these stupid ass excuses like rui was making yesterday too. “We haven’t played with each other” the fuck did y’all do last month. wtf JJ

  5. Sure Luka maybe should know his teammate better, but that will come. It’s more on the 7 foot center who is uncomfortable catching the balls over much smaller defenders that’s basic stuff. Ayton kept bringing the ball down for no reason and that’s just unacceptable.

  9. Ayton likes to fade off to shoot jumpers or “soft roll” after setting the screen. Luka is used to rim running, lob threat bigs.

  10. He likes the pocket pass because his pickup point on the jumper is low. If he catches high, his instinct is to always bring the ball into that shooting pocket – even if he is going to the rim (thrice per season, at most).

  11. He’s got the height and reach for a lob but he ‘prefers’ the pass where a defender can better get to it.

  12. The day after this man ate only putting up 10 points and playing like shit. Everybody’s making excuses for him. That tells you everything we need to know about how he played last night, and unfortunately probably about how he will continue to play.

  14. Idk why they don’t line up Hayes minutes with Luka more. I know there’s a ton of Jax haters but he works well with Luka and is an actual lob threat. Sometimes it’s scary the way he throws himself to catch a ball lol. Most ungraceful landings ever.

    Also Hayes had the same amount of rebounds (six) as Ayton had in 14 minutes when Ayton played 34 minutes. That’s crazy lol

    And he didn’t even have that many fouls yesterday so there was no reason not to play him more. I guess Ayton is better defensively so they don’t want to risk it or something. I said it in another comment but I felt like JJ did another playoff panic coaching job last night lol

  17. Might be an unpopular opinion but I think Hayes is better than Ayton. Hayes understands the assignment and Ayton looks lost half the time. There are plenty of Luka lob highlight reels that Ayton could’ve studied over the summer and into the preseason. He’s over 7 feet tall, catching lobs should be easy for him.

    But Luka’s lobs to Ayton are already being swatted away because Ayton’s motor skills are poor and he never anticipates and always drops the ball. Pocket passing will make it even easier for defenders to swat the ball or steal it.

    Hayes had instant chemistry with Luka with no offseason or training camp back in February. Why is this so hard for Ayton but was so easy for Lively/Gafford/Washington/DJJ/Hayes/Kleber?

  25. If Ayton want to catch the lobs, hes gonna have at least 12 pts/game easily. I think he should take a bit of sacrifices because if he cant play with the guy who can make Hayes looks good hes not gonna get his big pay day 

  27. I thought the whole thing with Ayton was giving Luka a lob dunker. I don’t recall one last night.

  29. Call me an alarmist and downvote but I don’t think he’s a long term center solution for the team. It doesn’t matter if he play good the next couple games I just think his lack of athleticism like past big Luka played with make it difficult to see it working in the long term.

  31. A pass done by the ball handler from their hips. Pocket pass are often quicker, snappier. Some pocket pass are done with mostly the wrist, allowing you to have it as a one- motion from your dribble.

    However, this would need the receiver to be able to read the space appropriately.

    Now, Reaves mentioned that he’s missing the timing for passes for Ayton. Luka has been talking about trying to understand Ayton’s gameplay/pattern more. Ayton is recognizing he needs to change his tendencies. Steve Nash at some point spoke about Ayton’s tendencies and how he needs to roll more to the basket, and become a lob-threat.

    But lets not be too crazy about team mates in sports trying to find footing after the first game.

  32. He was supposed to be a physical specimen when he was drafted… That was the whole point of him going first ahead of Luka. Where is the athleticism ?

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