New Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton paid homage to the late Kobe Bryant during his Media Day appearance on Monday.
As seen in the view below, Ayton rocked the Kobe Kobe V Protro “Year of the Mamba” sneakers in his first official appearance as a Laker.
(via @NBAonPrime)
Many Lakers fans widely praised Ayton’s sneaker choice, as the No. 1 overall pick made a good first impression on the large fan base.
Ayton, who signed with the Lakers on a two-year, $16.2 million contract this offseason, is expected to be the starting center on opening night against the Warriors on Oct. 22.
Excited for Opportunity
Ayton, a former No. 1 overall pick, didn’t live up to his potential during his previous stops in Phoenix and Portland, with the latter stint ending with a contract buyout. He reportedly had strained relationships with Monty Williams’ coaching staff on the Suns and again with Chauncey Billups‘ staff on the Trail Blazers, raising questions about his ability to coexist with JJ Redick and his teammates on the Lakers.
The Bahamian admitted on Media Day that he has an image to repair and that he was excited about the opportunity to change the narrative about his career.
“This is the biggest opportunity I can say, in my career. Some people say it’s my last leg, some people say it’s my last chance. This is an opportunity I can say I’m truly not going to take for granted,” Ayton said during Media Day.
“It’s almost like a wounded animal. I feel all the tension and I know where I’m at.” “I’ve been in the gym every day. Like I say, I’m somewhere where it counts now,” Ayton continued. “And I’m happy that everybody gets to see it. I’m happy where as a player, as myself, I get a chance to prove something big on a big stage.”
Two-Man Game With Luka Doncic
Lakers star Luka Doncic has always thrived playing next to athletic centers and lob threats, a profile that fits Ayton’s skill set. As such, Lakers head coach JJ Redick is very excited about the potential of a two-man game featuring Doncic and Ayton.
“When you have Deandre Ayton in pick-and-rolls with Austin Reaves, Luka and LeBron [James], his ability to catch passes in the short roll, we’ve already seen some of that in sort of the player workouts that have been going on,” Lakers GM Rob Pelinka said, via The Athletic.
“He’s also a lob threat. So just adding that dimension, his size, is very real.”
Ayton averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds for the Trail Blazers last season. He’s admittedly ready to have the best season of his career.
“Being around guys and great athletes like Luka and LeBron, just embracing that and feeling that aura and just being a part of it and not taking it for granted, it makes me want to work even harder,” he said. “It’s just helping me embrace everything even more.”
Deandre Ayton Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant on Lakers Media Day