Austin Reaves isn't buying into the negative talk that followed Deandre Ayton to Los Angeles this offseason, and he made that clear in his latest comments about the Lakers' new big man.

LakersMuse (@LALMuse) on X Deandre Ayton on being a Laker: IM F**KING EXCITED. I love everything. I love everybody 🥹

The Lakers guard spoke candidly about the unfair reputation that has shadowed Ayton throughout his career and explained how the center has proven those critics wrong since joining the team.

"It's unfortunate that the world works this way, that you hear things about people before you're around 'em, that people try to paint a narrative of character," Reaves said. "The best thing you could do is … you have to be your own judge of character towards people these days. The things that you hear, the things that I heard about him, was that he wasn't coachable, moody, and it's been completely opposite."

Ayton Finding Success in Purple and Gold

The 7-footer has quickly silenced doubters with his play on the court for the 10-4 Lakers, who currently sit fourth in the Western Conference. Ayton is averaging 16.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 69.2 percent from the field through the first 13 games of the season.

Iztok Franko (@iztok_franko) on X Deandre Ayton has the highest dunk rate since his sophomore season in 2019-20. Here are his 25 dunks so far this season👇

His recent stretch has been even more impressive, as he's posted four double-doubles in seven November appearances while averaging 17.4 points and 8.9 rebounds during that span.

This level of consistent production is exactly what the Lakers needed after losing Anthony Davis in the Luka Dončić trade last season.

Chemistry Building with Backcourt Stars

The connection between Ayton and Reaves has been especially strong, with the guard's playmaking ability creating easy opportunities for the athletic center. 

Reaves is having a career year himself, averaging 28.3 points and 8.2 assists per game, and he's found a reliable target in Ayton for lobs and pick-and-roll finishes.

BronMuse (@BronMuse) on X Deandre Ayton vs Giannis, Wemby, Gobert, & Sabonis this season: 19.2 PPG 10.6 RPG 1.0 BPG 66% FG He’s 5-0 against them this season.

The duo has also shown excellent chemistry alongside Luka Dončić. The three-man combination has given Los Angeles one of the most dynamic offensive units in the league.

Filling a Critical Void

Ayton's arrival addressed the Lakers' biggest weakness from last season when they finished 50-32 and lost in the first round of the playoffs.

Without a true rim-protecting center, the team struggled defensively and lacked an interior presence on the glass.

Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) on X Deandre Ayton is the EXACT center the Lakers have been needing for so long 🫡

Now, Ayton provides exactly what the Lakers were missing — a mobile big man who can protect the paint, finish around the rim, and hold his own against the Western Conference's elite centers.

His ability to run the floor in transition has also unlocked new dimensions in the Lakers' fast-paced attack.

The chemistry between Ayton and his new teammates continues to grow stronger with each game, and his positive attitude and work ethic have already made believers out of guys like Reaves who are seeing firsthand that the negative narratives simply don't match reality.