Deandre Ayton (Los Angeles Lakers)
October 2025

On Inside the NBA, O’Neal blasted Ayton’s Lakers debut and laid out a three-item mandate: control the glass, protect the rim, punish mismatches. Ayton posted 10 points, six boards, one block and four turnovers in 34 minutes. O’Neal emphasized simple reads with stars drawing doubles: catch, finish strong, avoid fadeaways vs switches. The Lakers added Ayton for vertical spacing and size; progress hinges on physicality, screen/roll force, and turnover reduction.