The new center of the Los Angeles Lakers, Deandre Ayton recently provided such a moment. He received a remarkable corner lob pass from LeBron James in an exhilarating opening night game vs the Jazz. The first such matchup was on Sunday. It was James’ season debut after missing 14 games with sciatica. At 40, it didn’t seem to matter, as he still operated with such masterful precision and poise, racking up 11 points and 12 dimes in a Lakers’ 140-126 win.
Now 27 years old, Ayton clearly remembers going to the LeBron James camp in Las Vegas when he was only 16. That magical moment was during the 2014 NACTO conference. At that camp, he got to catch an alley-oop from LeBron himself, serving as an early highlight on his basketball journey resume. Fast forward to today, and Ayton is now teammates with James on the Lakers, fulfilling that premonition. For many reasons, it was a beautiful full-circle moment when he dunked the ball for his sixth point — off an assist from James.
What made the bond between the two players more obvious than anything was how easily Ayton recalled their past connection. After making the dunk, he turned to James and said, “that’s my second alley-oop from you. The first one was when I was in eighth grade at your camp.”
Ayton continued his strong NCAA tournament run, with 20 points and 14 rebounds on the night. James showed his veteran craft by initiating the action that led to Ayton’s dunk. James backed down Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams. The remarkable moment was a testament to the talent of both players on display, combined with Smith and Markus’ low key rivalry.
Ayton expressed his excitement about the play, stating, “So, yeah it was kind of crazy, you know. Seeing all of that, so it was fun.” This feeling perfectly sums up the happiness of seeing a lifelong aspiration come true right before his very own eyes.
Not only did the game serve as a successful return to action for James, it noted Ayton’s development as a player. Their teamwork contributed significantly to the Lakers’ victory over the Jazz, showcasing how past experiences can influence current dynamics in sports.
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