A fans perspective

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He’s done what was asked of him

The player in question is Deandre Ayton, center for the Los Angeles Lakers. While public commentary frequently criticizes his performance, it is noteworthy that neither the Lakers' coaching staff nor opposing coaches have expressed negative views regarding his post play thus far. Additionally, recent reports suggest that the Lakers should consider trading for Daniel Gafford of the Mavericks due to his defensive abilities and shot-blocking skills, attributes some believe Ayton lacks. Another article argues that the Lakers acquired the wrong center from the Trail Blazers and should have pursued Robert Williams III instead of Ayton.

In my assessment, the Lakers had a clear strategy when acquiring Ayton. If, by season's end, he has not fulfilled the objectives set out for him, the team may consider alternative options. Notably, I concur with Shaquille O’Neal’s perspective that Ayton’s primary contributions should be 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. To provide context, Ayton has scored fewer than 20 points and collected fewer than 10 rebounds in five games each this season. Regarding scoring opportunities, it is important to acknowledge that players such as Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James are the Lakers’ main offensive options, leaving Ayton with limited opportunities to score baskets. Nonetheless, Ayton is a competent rebounder and defender, though his assist numbers are average compared to select peers who excel across all statistical categories. In the Lakers’ 129-119 victory over the Mavericks, Ayton posted a plus/minus of +18, surpassing that of Doncic, Reaves, and LeBron James.

Where it all began

Most players begin their play at the youth level enhance it while in high school prior to attending college if only briefly. International players travel a totally different route, as for those in the U.S. sometimes it’s not what you might think. Sure North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky and several other institutions have sent a significant number of players to the NBA. Some of them began their quest at much smaller schools. If I said Jimmy Butler of the Warriors your response might be “didn’t he attend Marquette?” That is certainly fact however, that is not where he began, it was Tyler Junior College in Tyler Texas about 100 road miles south and east of Dallas-Fort Worth. Lehigh University is a private research school in Bethlehem Pennsylvania. This school would not be on your list of schools producing NBA talent but that’s what occurred, CJ McCollum of the Wizards began his career there.

Weber State in Utah sent Dame Lillard to the NBA a prolific combo guard who is now back with the Blazers. Duncan Robinson of the Pistons finished his college basketball career playing at Michigan, he transferred to Michigan from Williams College a Division III program. Williams College is located in Williamstown Massachusetts about 135 road miles from Boston. Haywood Highsmith forward for the Nets attended Wheeling University in Wheeling West Virginia. Riley Minix a reserve player for the Spurs began at Southeastern University an NAIA school located in Lakeland Florida. He would later transfer to Moorhead State in Moorhead Kentucky which is 75 road miles from Lexington. This brief check of talent closes with a brief look at Ja Morant, he played his college basketball at Murray State in Murray Kentucky. Murray State is 200 miles north of Memphis Tennessee. Although some of the names might be relatively unknown this provides us proof NBA talent can and does arrive from a number of smaller and lesser known schools across the nation.

It could occur

By the time this is read the Los Angeles Clippers could be on winning streak unparalleled thus far. This is written Monday morning after the 120-105 loss last night to the Cleveland Cavs. This is not intended as criticism, its to report at least early on the Clippers have become an enigma once again. I located projections for the season on all the teams, to no one’s surprise the Oklahoma City Thunder to win it all but what about the others? According to ESPN.com’s power rankings they place the Clippers as the 6 best team for 2025-26, CBS Sports is slightly different.

This from early October, one writer advanced his belief they were the 4 in the NBA while 3 others placed them at 6. The Clippers in my opinion have one of the best coaches in the NBA in Tyronn Lue but even he’s no miracle worker with this team. Before you inform me Kawhi Leonard has been out of the lineup I can concur with that observation however its more for this collection of athletes. Every team requires a leader, who is it for this team…James Harden or Kawhi Leonard? Is it time for change, should the Clippers begin preparing for the future or remain committed to this roster?

That’s preposterous

I am sure you’ve read or heard the same stories as me since then.…”the 2020 NBA championship won by the Lakers should have an asterisk.” Critics primary concern the championship was won “in the bubble,” i.e. technically speaking there were no road or home games. All games were played in one building but this is where the argument begins, all other sports faced the same issue. The remainder of the college basketball season was cancelled, there was no NCAA championship team crowned in April. At this point the MLB season begins, the regular season will be detailed but let’s check the World Series first. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire series was played at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, from October 20 to October 27, with the ballpark’s seating capacity limited to 25 percent (11,500 fans).

The pandemic resulted in the regular season being reduced to 60 games and the postseason being held at neutral sites instead of at a teams’ home stadiums. This was the first World Series to be played at a neutral site, as well as the first since 1944 to be held as only one ballpark.” How about the NHL Stanley Cup, “The series began on September 19 and concluded on September 28. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire series was played behind closed doors at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The pandemic resulted in the league suspending the regular season on March 12, 2020, and then scheduling a special 24-team playoff format to be held in two neutral “hub cities” (Edmonton and Toronto) that began on August 1. Thus it became the first Stanley Cup Final to be played in the month of September.” Back to baseball a moment, during the regular season games were played but in empty stadiums. I’m not going to attempt to detail what occurred for the NFL I hope you see how ridiculous it is for some to consider an asterisk for the 2020 NBA championship won by the Lakers.

Asterisk-Wikipedia