Deandre Ayton Claps Back at Critics as Lakers Center Dominates Defensive Metrics

The Los Angeles Lakers, charging into their NBA Cup matchup against the Dallas Mavericks at 13–4, sit firmly in the West’s No. 2 spot. Their offense has carried them early, but their defense is still evolving — and one player driving that improvement is Deandre Ayton, the center many doubters once labeled as a non-defender.

On Friday morning, fresh off shootaround, Ayton stepped to the mic determined to address the critiques head-on.

🔥 Ayton Responds: “I Thought I Had No Defense?”

When asked about his defensive evaluation this season, Ayton couldn’t hide his disbelief:

“This question for me, Deandre Ayton, evaluating his defense, is quite crazy. I thought I had no defense. I can’t answer that for you. You’re going to have to read the numbers.”

Ayton didn’t stop there — he challenged his critics to actually look at the data:

“The last time I seen it, it was 20 percent lower for somebody’s shooting average… And I think I’m leading the league in switches as well, a big switching on a guard.”

In other words: don’t talk narrative, talk numbers.

🛡️ The Numbers Back Ayton’s Confidence

Through 15 games, Ayton has become the Lakers’ rim-protection anchor, especially with Anthony Davis dealing with injuries.

According to The Southern California News Group, when Ayton is the closest defender within six feet, opponents shoot 12.9% worse than their normal average — an elite mark among NBA bigs.

His defensive rating tells the same story. Per StatMuse:

• 113.9 Defensive Rating — top-three on the roster
• 2nd among the regular rotation, behind only Luka Dončić (excluding Jarred Vanderbilt, who has fallen out of JJ Redick’s recent rotations)

Ayton may not deliver the highlight-reel blocks every night, but his verticality, contest rate, and switch coverage have quietly transformed LA’s interior defense.

💡 New Team, New Role — and a New Narrative

Ayton arrived in Los Angeles with years of baggage from Phoenix and Portland — questions about motor, intensity, and playoff consistency.

So far?

He’s been exactly what the Lakers needed at starting center: a strong finisher, reliable rim deterrent, and a mobile defender capable of switching onto guards when LA goes small.

With Anthony Davis set to return against Dallas, the Lakers now have a two-big defensive pairing that could cause real problems for elite offenses.

🎙️ Ayton Fires Back Again: “We Were Supposed to Be 4–14”

Criticism hasn’t only been directed at Ayton — it’s been aimed at the entire team.

He made sure to address that, too:

“We were supposed to be 4–14… the way everybody was carrying on. That’s how everybody said it. I watch everything. I see everything.”

The Lakers weren’t supposed to be sitting near the top of the West.

Ayton wasn’t supposed to be anchoring one of the league’s most efficient paint defenses.

Yet here they are — silencing the noise with results.

The message is clear:

the Lakers are outperforming expectations, and Deandre Ayton wants full credit for his role in that rise.