The league has been buzzing after former LSU standout and national champion Alexis Morris didn’t hold back on her thoughts about DeAndre Ayton on social media. Morris was best known for her competitive fire and elite playmaking during her collegiate career.
The former national champion took to X to voice a blunt assessment of Ayton’s recent performance. As the league’s spotlight intensifies, her critique has added more fuel to the ongoing debate around Ayton’s consistency and whether his on-court intensity matches his high-profile status. Morris didn’t waste many words to express her anguish in describing Ayton’s perceived lack of energy during key moments. In her viral post, she simply stated,
“He’s been buns.”
This effectively summarizes how most fans feel seeing Ayton’s production suffer from such a huge fall-off. The term ‘buns’ has become the ultimate basketball shorthand for a player performing well below their potential. Coming from a high-level athlete like Morris, the jab carries significant weight for anyone to consider.
JJ Redick benched DeAndre Ayton mid-game following a critical failure to box out on a free throw, a lapse that led the Pelicans to score. The sub made a statement, rather a public demand for defensive accountability and consistent intensity from Ayton over raw statistics.
Though Ayton added 18 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks, his production was overshadowed by the lack of focus that triggered Reddick’s frustration. For the Lakers, head coach, high-level output does not excuse the fluctuating effort that has come to define Ayton’s tenure.
Deandre Ayton Speaks on His Role as A Big Man For The Lakers
The Lakers’ underwhelming 5-7 record in December could partially be attributed to DeAndre Ayton’s scoring slump. Ayton recorded 12 points or fewer in 70% of his appearances. Following a particularly quiet four-point outing against the Grizzlies, JJ Redick noted that his center was likely frustrated by his lack of involvement. Ayton bounced back in the next game on Sunday with 15 points on efficient shooting. Giving props to his teammates, Ayton said,
““Bigs can’t feed themselves. I just try my best do what I can to bring effort and I trust my playmakers out there to find me.”
Ayton remains an offensive weapon, averaging 14.3 points on 70% field goal shooting. He adds versatility in the low post and mid-range, which provides a significant boost when the Lakers’ playmakers prioritize to feed him the ball. When focused and integrated into the offense, his high-percentage finishing and rim protection are essential components of the Lakers’ rotation.
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