Byron Scott dropped a huge reality check for the embattled Lakers big.
Deandre Ayton caught the attention of everyone after his infamous dismissive remarks regarding Clint Capela.
Deandre Ayton
Deandre Ayton
Deandre Ayton
MIN: 28.12
PTS: 12.98 (66.73%)
REB: 8.4
AS: 0.86
ST: 0.66
BL: 0.92
TO: 1.34
GM: 50
In a recent ESPN piece, the Los Angeles Lakers big man intriguingly yelled, "I'm not no Clint Capela!" following their recent loss against the Orlando Magic. The rant highlights Ayton's refusal and frustration to play more of a rim-running big man for the Lakers this season.
In his appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Lakers icon Byron Scott candidly reacted to Ayton's viral claim about Capela.
"I think a lot of guys in this league today, and there's been guys before, that sometimes do not want to accept their roles to make the team better," Scott said. "It is what it is.
"But I don't see him as being much better than Clint Capela, to be honest with you, besides the fact that he can knock down a shot on occasions, that he can make a little jump hook and little runner hook and things of that nature."
Capela has settled on a reserve role in his return to the Houston Rockets this season. But a few years ago, he established himself as one of the best and most formidable frontcourt enforcers in the league.
The Swiss center was a walking double-double and highly athletic big, anchoring the James Harden Rockets era on the defensive end. He was also instrumental for the Atlanta Hawks, helping the team reach the Conference Finals in 2021 while leading the NBA in rebounds (14.3).
Less than 24 hours after his infamous Capela comments came to light, Ayton delivered an embarrassing 2-point performance for the Lakers' 113-110 loss on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns. This awful display prompted Capela to clap back in a viral Instagram story.
There were high hopes that Ayton would finally earn his break as he joined the Lakers past offseason, signing a two-year $16.2 million deal.
While Ayton is averaging 13.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game this season — which is undeniably better over Capela's 3.6 points and 4.4 boards — Scott is convinced that the Lakers would be even better if the former No. 1 pick is performing similarly to the Rockets veteran's play style.
"I think he would serve the Lakers well if he was that guy. They could really run to the rim, be a rim runner, catch the lobs, which means if you catch the lobs, you've got to be a hell of a screen setter as well, set great screens and get to the basket," Russell argued.
"I think he took it as an insult, but to come out and have that type of performance [against Phoenix] after saying that, that doesn't serve well for you."
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