Shaquille O’Neal Delivers Direct Message to Lakers’ Deandre Ayton

Shaquille O’Neal recently addressed Deandre Ayton following the latter’s debut with the Los Angeles Lakers. O’Neal shared his thoughts during an episode of Inside the NBA on ESPN.

O’Neal’s Message to Ayton

In a direct appeal, O’Neal told Ayton, “The performance you had yesterday… I need you to step it up, my boy.” He emphasized three key areas where Ayton needs improvement:

• Rebounding
• Blocking shots
• Dominating in the post

Through his analysis, O’Neal noted that Ayton would not be double-teamed due to the presence of star players on his team. He encouraged Ayton to capitalize on this advantage and be more aggressive on the court.

Ayton’s Debut Performance

In his first game with the Lakers, Ayton recorded modest statistics: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block, and 4 turnovers in 34 minutes. These numbers did not impress O’Neal, who described the performance as “terrible.”

Background on Deandre Ayton

Deandre Ayton, selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, has had a varied career. He previously played for the Phoenix Suns, making an NBA Finals appearance. However, he spent the last season with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he faced injuries, including a calf strain that curtailed his gameplay.

As Ayton joins the Lakers, there is hope that he can improve from his initial showing. At 27 years old and with seven years of professional experience, he has the potential to make a significant impact.

The Lakers have expressed a clear need for frontcourt depth and a dynamic player to complement their roster, particularly alongside superstar Luka Doncic. Ayton’s success could be pivotal to achieving the team’s goals this season.