Ayton's Lakers Struggles: 'Capela Copycat' or Underutilized Talent?

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is NBA News Today. Subscribe to keep up with every headline, every game. Los Angeles Lakers centered DeAndre Aiden grabbed attention with comments about his role on the team. He said the Lakers are trying to turn him into Houston Rockets big man Clint Coppella, mainly using him for labs and easy buckets near the rim. The 27-year-old made the remarks after feeling underused in recent games. This all started from an ESPN story last week. Aiden vented in the locker room, frustrated that his skills aren't being fully tapped alongside stars like LeBron James and Luca Don Chitch. Lakers legend Shaquille O'Neill didn't hold back. He called out Aiden for not playing hard every night, unlike Coppella, who stays consistent as a role player. Shaq said if Aiden just picks, rebounds, and runs the floor, easy points would come without complaint. Aiden has heard these effort critiques before. They followed him from the Phoenix Suns through his time with the Portland Trailblazers, and they were a worry even before the Lakers signed him.

1:02Now in his first season with Los Angeles, those issues linger. The team hoped he'd create his own shots and boost the offense, but his unhappiness with the role seems to be affecting his play on the court. We'd like to thank our sponsor for making this episode possible. It looks like a pillow. It sounds like headphones. Built for comfort and sound, S-O-L-L-I.