Pre Draft Discussion

[carey]

Thats the first time I've read anything questioning his work ethic.

Yeah man. You can totally go to college and become a 260 lb monster in one year with a **** work ethic. People have to write something I guess.

This is what he looked like 1 year prior. He put on 25 lbs of muscle in like 6 months.

[Revived]

Yeah, if someone wants to compare Ayton to an all offense/no defense big man, there are much better examples like... Amare.

I think he has a lot of Amare in him. I've made a couple posts suggesting we can definitely recreate 7SOL with Ayton in the Amare role, Booker in the JJ role and Jackson in the Marion role. We just need our Nash... It's too bad 2X MVP PGs are so hard to come by.

LMA is a good comparison too. I don't think Amare was ever passer or had the court vision that Ayton has in the post.

[Revived]

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Kings could be The Ringer's favorite team next season with Bogdan likely taking the next step in his development and Luka as well.

[Revived]

I can’t wait till Thursday afternoon !!!!!

Been a long wait. The next 24 hours will be even longer.

[Revived]

Thats the first time I've read anything questioning his work ethic.

Ayton's biggest question is his consistency with on-court work ethic.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/deandre-aytons-best-comp-is-between-garnett-and-a-young-tim-duncan/

But he can fall in love with his still-developing outside shot, and there are questions about his work ethic and defensive tenacity.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/arizona-deandre-ayton-allonzo-trier-200004727.html

Those who have worked with him cite his work ethic as being average. - Jonathan Givony

http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/23470275/2018-nba-draft-lottery-prospects-comps-projections-strengths-weaknesses

There have also been questions dating back to his time in high school concerning his work ethic.

https://www.foxsports.com/southwest/story/nba-draft-preview-arizonas-deandre-ayton-060118

Despite all the physical qualifications in the world, Ayton routinely got exposed on the defensive end at Arizona thanks to seriously lacking defensive instincts and what’s been described as an average work ethic.

https://www.obsev.com/sports/deandre-ayton-or-luka-doncic-suns.html

There are some concerns about his work ethic, and his Wildcats were upset as a 4-seed in the first round of the NCAA tournament, but the talent is undeniable.

http://thedrive.bangordailynews.com/2018/06/18/sports/2162/

[Jwetz83]

Thats the first time I've read anything questioning his work ethic.

Yeah man. You can totally go to college and become a 260 lb monster in one year with a **** work ethic. People have to write something I guess.

This is what he looked like 1 year prior. He put on 25 lbs of muscle in like 6 months.

My problem with Ayton is that I feel like his main goal was to be the number 1 pick. It feels like he just wants the stardom. Sorry sir , you are not an entertainer first. You are a basketball player. A basketball player that I want to have a killer mindset.

I think he lacks that drive. So my concern is, he made it. Does he settle now?? I don’t get the feeling that he wants to be the best player ever. Nor do I get the feeling that winning is his number one priority.

So everyone on team Ayton, keep talking about his stats and his build. It’s his drive and his desire to be the best, that throws up red flags to me.

[thamadkant]

Thats the first time I've read anything questioning his work ethic.

Yeah man. You can totally go to college and become a 260 lb monster in one year with a **** work ethic. People have to write something I guess.

This is what he looked like 1 year prior. He put on 25 lbs of muscle in like 6 months.

My problem with Ayton is that I feel like his main goal was to be the number 1 pick. It feels like he just wants the stardom. Sorry sir , you are not an entertainer first. You are a basketball player. A basketball player that I want to have a killer mindset.

I think he lacks that drive. So my concern is, he made it. Does he settle now?? I don’t get the feeling that he wants to be the best player ever. Nor do I get the feeling that winning is his number one priority.

So everyone on team Ayton, keep talking about his stats and his build. It’s his drive and his desire to be the best, that throws up red flags to me.

He's got drive... He wants to climb out of his previous situation (hardship) and be a rich athlete and he knows he needs to be a star to be that.


If There's any concern it will be whether he's doing it for money rather wins.


But they're all like that.... The competitive nature comes out once they realize it's hard work and the feeling of winning is great.


Hence why it's important to have the right coaching staff to give advice and steer young players away from compacency.

[Saberestar]

https://sports.yahoo.com/shadow-world-deandre-ayton-survived-treacherous-path-become-nbas-top-pick-040044927.html

Wow this gives a lot of background on Ayton, what a story. Hope he finds some stability with the Suns, now i'm even more excited to think what he can become when he can fully focus on basketball. We have some issues with performance, but it does seem like the people are happy here at least

I agree.

This week, Ayton got the last laugh on those who wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars and an untold amount of energy trying to control him. Days ahead of finally being drafted, he announced a shoe deal with Puma — until now a complete non-entity in American basketball.

In the end, Deandre Ayton overcame grassroots basketball far more than he was helped by it.

[Jarlaxle0204]

I'd like to trade up a little to grab SGA. That's my target.

[BobbieL]

If Ayton has the drive and work ethic - if he channels his "inner KG Big Ticket-ness" - makes the pick that much easier.

I like Doncic a lot -- but for me, the pick still is Ayton. Too much time to come up with negatives with this pre-draft stuff. And getting the top pick - well, this is what you have to decide.

Ayton or Doncic - good problem to have. But Ayton, Booker Jackson as your core - love it

[Jwetz83]

Yeah man. You can totally go to college and become a 260 lb monster in one year with a **** work ethic. People have to write something I guess.

This is what he looked like 1 year prior. He put on 25 lbs of muscle in like 6 months.

My problem with Ayton is that I feel like his main goal was to be the number 1 pick. It feels like he just wants the stardom. Sorry sir , you are not an entertainer first. You are a basketball player. A basketball player that I want to have a killer mindset.

I think he lacks that drive. So my concern is, he made it. Does he settle now?? I don’t get the feeling that he wants to be the best player ever. Nor do I get the feeling that winning is his number one priority.

So everyone on team Ayton, keep talking about his stats and his build. It’s his drive and his desire to be the best, that throws up red flags to me.

He's got drive... He wants to climb out of his previous situation (hardship) and be a rich athlete and he knows he needs to be a star to be that.


If There's any concern it will be whether he's doing it for money rather wins.


But they're all like that.... The competitive nature comes out once they realize it's hard work and the feeling of winning is great.


Hence why it's important to have the right coaching staff to give advice and steer young players away from compacency.

Come out if the hardship? How much is his rookie contract worth? Just shy of 50 million? A shoe deal?

I’m concerned that is what drives him. He has the money now, what motivates him to get better over the next ten years? What motivates him to put the extra work in?

Does he love the game or love what the game gives him.

[Waylay13]

If Ayton has the drive and work ethic - if he channels his "inner KG Big Ticket-ness" - makes the pick that much easier.

I like Doncic a lot -- but for me, the pick still is Ayton. Too much time to come up with negatives with this pre-draft stuff. And getting the top pick - well, this is what you have to decide.

Ayton or Doncic - good problem to have. But Ayton, Booker Jackson as your core - love it

I believe that I read some reports that at UoA they have a program for a gold shirt or something awarded to the person who works the hardest in practice that week. Ayton got it the first week and keep it for the rest for the rest of the season.

[sunsbum]

How does Doncic get off the "work ethic" hook? Is no one else seeing his teenage dad bod? "Woof!"

[BobbieL]

If Ayton has the drive and work ethic - if he channels his "inner KG Big Ticket-ness" - makes the pick that much easier.

I like Doncic a lot -- but for me, the pick still is Ayton. Too much time to come up with negatives with this pre-draft stuff. And getting the top pick - well, this is what you have to decide.

Ayton or Doncic - good problem to have. But Ayton, Booker Jackson as your core - love it

I believe that I read some reports that at UoA they have a program for a gold shirt or something awarded to the person who works the hardest in practice that week. Ayton got it the first week and keep it for the rest for the rest of the season.

Good bit of information. I really think getting into the analysis by paralysis. Ayton to see has what you are looking for in a top pick. Athleticism, he has an offensive skill set already, can rebound. I am sure with coaching - he can be a serviceable defender.

[gaspar]

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[NTB]

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[Damkac]

If Suns will deal 16 for vet I hope they can get Khyri at 31.

[GetYourPHX]

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Miles Bridges at 16 would be a steeaaaalllllll.

[Book1Nation]

As a Texas Tech fan, I love Z.

Not sure if he's a great fit in Phoenix, but he's going to kill it in the NBA. If he does fall to #16 I would take him for sure though. He isn't there yet, but he has the potential to be Victor Oladipo 2.0

[gaspar]

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