On Tuesday, the Laker Nation watched the Purple and Gold unfurl their full potential. Not a moment’s peace for the New Orleans Pelicans. But complete dominance from LeBron James and Luka Doncic to shred Zion and Co. to pieces. Winning their 39th game of the season turned into an added advantage for the LA Lakers as they are one step closer to conquering the Western Conference. Currently, at No. 2 in the West, JJ Redick’s boys are doing exactly what the fans wanted: wins and more wins. But amidst all the glitz and glam, there remains an unsung hero in the major win at the Crypto.com Arena. Jaxson Hayes.
The 24-year-old center has evolved into an important piece for Redick’s team recently. Moreover, his 19 pts, 10 rebs double-double game vs. the Pelicans expressed a new story. Hayes is ready to take bigger and more crucial roles in days to come. Turning our heads toward the Lakers, the team emerged as one of the teams defensively in their last fifteen games. All of this is happening when their biggest star, the biggest defensive big of the league Anthony Davis isn’t on the team anymore. But his ‘disciple’ Jaxson Hayes isn’t forgetting AD’s contribution. Amidst the new shift, the 31-year-old ex-Lakers star remains on Hayes’ mind.
Jaxson Hayes talks defense after Anthony Davis’ exit
Currently, the Los Angeles Lakers have a defensive rating of 112.7 and stand 6th on the table. No Davis. No Christie. Yet, the Lakers’ defense refuses to crumble. Losing their defensive anchor and Max Christie’s grit should’ve hurt—but it hasn’t. Instead, they’re grinding harder, covering for each other, and proving that heart beats size every time.
It’s safe to say that the Purple and Gold have had the greatest defensive surge this season. Meanwhile, LeBron James has taken the role of the defensive All-Star for the team and Doncic is following the same path. Speaking to the media after the game, Jaxson Hayes shed some light on this interesting conversation.
The reporter wanted to know how the 24YO would explain the shift in defense since Anthony Davis left. So, they asked: “Your defense statistically has gotten better since AD was traded. How do you explain that?” Without a moment’s hesitation, Hayes replied: “Shoot! I was learning from AD man. I mean that’s my big brother, I just watched everything he did, I watch films just trying to do everything that he did. And just, I mean really just trying to learn from him.”
Nov 4, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) shoots the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) and center Jaxson Hayes (11) during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
The Lakers’ defense has been a rollercoaster. From ruling the NBA in 2020 to falling outside the top 10 since 2021, their struggles have been no secret. Trading Anthony Davis and Max Christie for Luka Doncic? Critics called it a defensive disaster. On paper, they were;t wrong. But on the court? The Lakers are proving everyone wrong—locking down opponents like it’s 2020 again.
And well, players like Jaxson Hayes are stepping up for the team which is necessary to chase the 18th championship dream. While the center isn’t shying away from admitting his admiration for his idol The Brow, coming back to the Lakers vs. Pelicans game, he cannot deny the role the LeBron-Luka duo played in turning him into one of the stars on Tuesday.
Hayes confesses Luka Doncic and LeBron James’ contribution to his double-double night
In the Lakers’ 136-115 win vs. the New Orleans Pelicans, Jaxson Hayes had a blockbuster night. He didn’t miss a single shot. Eight of eight shots from the field. Three of three shots from the line. A double-double, 19 pts and 10 rebs! Wow! But then, it was also LeBron James’ big night as he reached 50,000 career points, thus adding another feather to his hat. Meanwhile, speaking to the media, Hayes shared how this big stars duo helped him to unlock his latest achievement.
“That was all Bron and Luka and all the guys putting me in a good position to get easy buckets,” Jaxson Hayes confessed. “They know if they’re driving and they see that big step up, they know I’m standing right there. I’m going to have a position. So they know they can just put it on the other side of the room. I’m going to go up and get it.” Moreover, the 24YO is known to be an alley-oop guy. But with LeBron James and Luka Doncic, does their presence make things better?
Hayes admitted: “Oh yeah! I mean they make the game so easy. When you have two great players like that, I mean they require so much of the opposing team’s defense on them and locked in on them, that people tend to forget I’m back there by the room. So they get me a lot of easy buckets.” There was one point in the game, where the Slovenian had to make hand gestures to the Pelicans’ defense to guard him better. So you can guess, that if all the backcourt is put into guarding Bron and Doncic, then of course, players like Jaxson Hayes are set loose on the court to turn lethal.
Thus, the Lakers are turning doubters into believers. LeBron and Luka may steal the spotlight, but it’s players like Jaxson Hayes who keep the engine roaring. With AD gone, Hayes is stepping up—learning, growing, and delivering when it matters most. And with this kind of heart and hustle, the Lakers’ chase for banner No. 18 feels more real than ever.
The post Jaxson Hayes Finally Explains Major Defensive Shift After Anthony Davis’ Exit as He Makes One Luka Doncic Confession appeared first on EssentiallySports.
