Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has been utilizing his creative defensive mind to make things difficult for Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets in round one of the NBA playoffs, but no part of Redick's plan for this series involves using Deandre Ayton like a modern Dennis Rodman. So ... why is Ayton talking to reporters like that's exactly the plan?
For whatever reason, Ayton decided it was pertinent on Thursday to tell the media about his self-proclaimed ability to guard every player on the floor.
Deandre Ayton's latest comments don't help the Lakers ... or make any sense
“I’m about to show the world I can guard 1 through 5," Ayton declared. "I thought it was going to be a secret weapon, but I've been practicing it and having multiple reps guarding the best players in the league on isolations. And the confidence is way up there."
We love the enthusiasm, Deandre, but can we direct it in a different direction and possibly rein things in a tad? We need you focused on rebounding, rebounding, and rebounding, not guarding Reed Sheppard.
This isn't the first odd remark from Deandre Ayton in 2026
Lakers fans have come to realize that Ayton just says stuff. And sometimes that stuff gets him into trouble or makes him look bad, like when Ayton disrespected Clint Capela earlier in the season.
But the Lakers and their fans will continue to look past Ayton's head-scratching commentary so long as he doesn't become LA's downfall. So far, so good on that front for Ayton through two playoff games. He was awesome in Game 1, tallying 19 points and 11 boards (!) on 8-of-10 shooting. He didn't make nearly as much noise in Game 2, but he didn't completely hurt the Lakers, either. Par for the course for Ayton over a two-game stretch.
Deandre Ayton just needs to focus on Alperen Sengun
Ayton is needed defensively in this series, but not to guard 1 through 5. As the Rockets look to win Game 3, they'll be hoping that Alperen Sengun can start looking like a real threat alongside Durant. Sengun is averaging south of 20 points per game through the first two games. Houston needs him to break out with a big scoring performance in Game 3, and the Lakers need Ayton to help prevent that from happening.
If the Lakers pull off a victory on Friday and establish an unexpected 3-0 series lead, maybe Redick will allow Ayton to play point guard in Game 4 and work on his court vision and ball handling. Or maybe not.