Lakers’ new 7-foot center makes bold announcement after win vs. Stephen Curry-less Warriors

The Los Angeles Lakers triumphed over a Golden State Warriors squad missing 4-time NBA champion Stephen Curry and 6-time All-Star Jimmy Butler by a score of 126-116 on Sunday, netting their first win of the preseason in the process.

Los Angeles' newest center addition Deandre Ayton played a massive part in the victory, as the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft finished the night with 14 points, eight rebounds, two steals and one block in 26 minutes of action.

The 27-year-old big man stepped up in the absence of the franchise's 26-year-old phenom Luka Dončić and 21-time All-Star LeBron James, and he was visibly beaming with confidence throughout his ensuing post-game interview with Spectrum SportsNet's Mike Trudell.

Specifically, Ayton was ready to let everyone know that he'll be continuing to step up defensively for the foreseeable future.

"(I'm) just really changing the narrative of protecting the rim on the defensive end," Ayton shared with Trudell on Sunday night.

"JJ (Redick) has really put it on me and put on the emphasis that he wants his bigs protecting the rim, so I'm just trying to be a big part of that."

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"I'm just trying to let the world know and the league know that I'm the Lakers center and I'm the anchor of the defense."

Ayton has been recognized as the Lakers' most imposing two-way center presence since the departure of 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis at last season's trade deadline, and he appears to be deserving of that title as the preseason rolls along.

Throughout his first seven NBA seasons, the veteran big man has averaged 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds on an impressive 59.0% field goal percentage, but his impact on the defensive end will be what either drives the Lakers to a few more wins or holds the team back from reaching its true potential.

With a healthy Dončić eventually getting set to enter the fray, Ayton's success as their last line of defense under the rim will be paramount to the team's chances of achieving their lofty goals.

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