The Los Angeles Lakers’ training camp and preseason haven’t been perfect.
The LA Lakers recently secured their first preseason victory against the Golden State Warriors, winning 126-116.
However, the roster remains incomplete. Superstars Luka Doncic and LeBron James haven’t participated in any preseason games.
Much worse, LeBron is expected to miss entire preseason activities and the season’s beginning due to injury.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesDeAndre Ayton praises LA Lakers practice intensity in apparent Portland Trail Blazers criticism
Despite the incomplete roster, Lakers center DeAndre Ayton recently shared that the training camp provided an unprecedented experience compared to his previous stops.
“The games in training camp was definitely harder than that actual preseason games,” Ayton stated.
“That’s what you want. Practice was ramped up all week. Everybody was dialed in. I ain’t practiced like that in a minute, where everyone had one purpose.”
Ayton’s comments sound like a dig at the Portland Trail Blazers, his former team.
Unlike the Lakers, Portland lacks star power and hasn’t competed for playoff contention in recent seasons.
DeAndre Ayton must translate training camp intensity into consistent performance
Last season with the Blazers, Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game.
During the Lakers’ preseason, Ayton hasn’t performed really well and has reached double-digit scoring just once, producing 14 points in the Warriors game.
While Ayton praised training session intensity exceeding preseason game competition, he must prove that preparation translates to actual games.
The Lakers cannot afford a poor start given the competitive Western Conference playoff race.
Achieving favorable playoff seeding requires Ayton to perform at levels exceeding his Portland production over the past two seasons, despite having less experienced teammates.