Deandre Ayton news and discussion

[sunsbg]

No surprise for me Ayton is much more focused in a playoff game than a street ball like RS game where it's mostly the wings running and gunning, so it's hard for him to stay engaged. No more 140-130 games in the playoffs. Every play is a fight, which suits him better.

I was mainly interested to see how he would react to the higher pressure, but he's doing great. He did well in some close RS games, so I don't think it's a fluke either.

The scary thing for opponents is they can still utilize him even better on O. Something like Bam - assisting on cuts in addition to the handoffs around the 3pt line. Then he has touch, so he can hit midrange shots and eventually become a good 3pt shooter as well.

[ATTL]

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He had a nice fake handoff with Booker on another play that led to free throws I believe. We need to see more of that.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Given his high impact it's somewhat surprising he's only averaging 14 points per 30 minutes this series.

I wonder if he's got his confidence up whether we could go to him in the low post when our wings are in a draught.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

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He had a nice fake handoff with Booker on another play that led to free throws I believe. We need to see more of that.

Love how he just keeps knocking Drummond down, over and over.

Also, he's caught a lot of flak for not being a high-flying dunker, a la AD. Well, we had that in Amare, and the kid lost his knee after three seasons as a result. DA's play style keeps him off the injured list, while AD can't stay off it.

I've said before that DA being an ironman is the most underrated aspect of his game.

Best center in Suns history, right here.

[Calvin Klein]

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He had a nice fake handoff with Booker on another play that led to free throws I believe. We need to see more of that.

Awesome sequence

[WeekapaugGroove]

Ayton has been phenomenal in this series. Every time he gets iso'd I'm watching delightfully in anticipation of the degree of difficulty the scorer has to switch to in order to get a shot off. He's just been an absolute monster on the defensive end, grabbing rebounds, being the last line of defense and being an legitimately NBA anchor on the biggest stage. His offensive numbers have been insane too although I'm curious as to whether that's part of LA's defensive game plan to give up those buckets over allowing our usual scorers from getting going themselves.

I also wonder how whether he's one of the very few players who's better in the playoffs than in the regular season as opposed to the opposite which is more normal. The guy is so into watching film, I do wonder whether a 7 game series against the same opponent just allows him to simplify things a lot more because he only has to focus in on one opponent and there being only so many adjustments that a team can make. This being opposed to the regular season where it's a different team pretty much every game, film sessions are likely less intense and games are just less consequential to the bigger picture. If it's the case that this format of intense film watching and game planning in the playoffs allows him to reach a new level of engagement and focus then max the man out.

I think you hit on a lot of good points on why Ayton is playing well. I think some is the fact he runs a little hot and cold from a concentration/effort standpoint and due to the importance of these games that switch has been on hot the whole time. The most extreme example of this I can remember was Tim Thomas, that dude would look like an All NBA guy come playoff time when he was with the Bucks then had that really nice run with Phoenix as a buy out guy.

I give the coaching staff some credit. Not to take away from what Ayton is doing because he's been great but the coaches aren't asking him to do anything he can't do on O. His role has been to run the floor hard and get to his spot in the lane and be ready to score if he gets it. Then rebound like his teams life depends what on it because it does. They've basically had him concentrate on a handful of things and do them well which he's absolutely done.

It's interesting that in general they are developing Ayton the opposite of how Booker was developed. With booker he was asked to be the guy and do a ton of stuff early in his career and play through the mistakes as he learned. Aytons development has been more stripping the game down and focusing on less variety but really doing the core things like defending well. I'm excited to see them start adding things to this core skill set over the next few years.

Overall I love that he's proving to be the kind of guy you can absolutely battle in the playoffs with. The stage hasn't been too big and that's an outstanding sign for the future.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

[NapoleonII]

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He had a nice fake handoff with Booker on another play that led to free throws I believe. We need to see more of that.

Love how he just keeps knocking Drummond down, over and over.

Also, he's caught a lot of flak for not being a high-flying dunker, a la AD. Well, we had that in Amare, and the kid lost his knee after three seasons as a result. DA's play style keeps him off the injured list, while AD can't stay off it.

I've said before that DA being an ironman is the most underrated aspect of his game.

Best center in Suns history, right here.

Ayton doesn't get enough credit for how fundamentally sound he is. Yes, he could dunk more to finish strong and change the momentum, and he is starting to dunk more and catch/finish everything around him.

But his game is just very polished, controlled, and in this offense now, simplified.

I made Tim Duncan comparisons early on and they're not looking very far off. Duncan put up 20.2/9 in his first playoff series as a 23 year old rookie, then 18/12 in his second playoffs' first round. If this was the 90's our offense would have DA as option 1a and Booker as 1b.

What we're witnessing is Monty and crew figuring out how to use an all-NBA big in a modern offense that doesn't depend on flopping/foul calls like Embiid or passing like Jokic or simple rim-running like Capela, but playing within DA's current strengths. He's shooting an absurd percentage and killing the Lakers #1 defense.

[cberry78]

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?s=09

He had a nice fake handoff with Booker on another play that led to free throws I believe. We need to see more of that.

Love how he just keeps knocking Drummond down, over and over.

Also, he's caught a lot of flak for not being a high-flying dunker, a la AD. Well, we had that in Amare, and the kid lost his knee after three seasons as a result. DA's play style keeps him off the injured list, while AD can't stay off it.

I've said before that DA being an ironman is the most underrated aspect of his game.

Best center in Suns history, right here.

Ayton doesn't get enough credit for how fundamentally sound he is. Yes, he could dunk more to finish strong and change the momentum, and he is starting to dunk more and catch/finish everything around him.

But his game is just very polished, controlled, and in this offense now, simplified.

I made Tim Duncan comparisons early on and they're not looking very far off. Duncan put up 20.2/9 in his first playoff series as a 23 year old rookie, then 18/12 in his first year round as a second year player. If this was the 90's our offense would have DA as option 1a and Booker as 1b.

What we're witnessing is Monty and crew figuring out how to use an all-NBA big in a modern offense that doesn't depend on flopping/foul calls like Embiid or passing like Jokic or simple rim-running like Capela, but playing within DA's current strengths. He's shooting an absurd percentage and killing the Lakers #1 defense.

I think it's time to start calling him the Young Fundamental.

He's not up to the standards of the Big Fundamental yet, but he's definitely is on his way there.

[sunsbg]

I think it's time to start calling him the Young Fundamental.

He's not up to the standards of the Big Fundamental yet, but he's definitely is on his way there.

If he adds the bank shot, watch out.

[WeekapaugGroove]

While I think we'd all love for Ayton to draw more fouls I have to say I respect the hell out of the fact he doesn't ever flop. You watch the other teams in the playoffs and the Lakers and everyone is diving all over the place.

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[Saberestar]

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[wheezy]

Ayton has been playing incredibly. Loved seeing him back down Lebron in the post yesterday and take it right at him.

[bwgood77]

Ayton has been phenomenal in this series. Every time he gets iso'd I'm watching delightfully in anticipation of the degree of difficulty the scorer has to switch to in order to get a shot off. He's just been an absolute monster on the defensive end, grabbing rebounds, being the last line of defense and being an legitimately NBA anchor on the biggest stage. His offensive numbers have been insane too although I'm curious as to whether that's part of LA's defensive game plan to give up those buckets over allowing our usual scorers from getting going themselves.

I also wonder how whether he's one of the very few players who's better in the playoffs than in the regular season as opposed to the opposite which is more normal. The guy is so into watching film, I do wonder whether a 7 game series against the same opponent just allows him to simplify things a lot more because he only has to focus in on one opponent and there being only so many adjustments that a team can make. This being opposed to the regular season where it's a different team pretty much every game, film sessions are likely less intense and games are just less consequential to the bigger picture. If it's the case that this format of intense film watching and game planning in the playoffs allows him to reach a new level of engagement and focus then max the man out.

No team would allow a guy to get his and others to beat you when that guy is shooting 80%...at least not after the first two games.

[Revived]

The most impressive thing about Ayton playing well is that he knows there’s a ton of pressure on him too. It’s the playoffs, the biggest stage and everyone is watching.

The most pressure comes from knowing that his backup bigs are absolute garbage who wouldn’t start on most lotto teams in the league.

I’ve said it all season long that he’s our most valuable player because we have nothing behind him. We have somewhat depth at the PG and SG positions but just nothing at C.

Bw has mentioned it before as well but our biggest issue in any game would be Ayton injury or foul trouble. If we can avoid that then we can compete in any game.

[ATTL]

The most impressive thing about Ayton playing well is that he knows there’s a ton of pressure on him too. It’s the playoffs, the biggest stage and everyone is watching.

The most pressure comes from knowing that his backup bigs are absolute garbage who wouldn’t start on most lotto teams in the league.

I’ve said it all season long that he’s our most valuable player because we have nothing behind him. We have somewhat depth at the PG and SG positions but just nothing at C.

Bw has mentioned it before as well but our biggest issue in any game would be Ayton injury or foul trouble. If we can avoid that then we can compete in any game.

You are very right. The suns dont have anyone else that can rebound or body up on defense the way ayton does.

[kennydorglas]

Being physical was his major red flag and now he's just steamrolling Drummond like there's nothing in front of him.

This mentality evolution + his bizarre touch is just too much for anyone else.

I'm so happy for him and this is coming from the biggest Luka's fanboy in this forum.

[Bogyo]

Latest Simmons podcast has a very good segment on him - completely my assesment I feel. Even mentions the early and mid-season struggles when tensions were running high around these parts for the same reasons they are mentioning, and how good he is now and what his role/ceiling is. Good stuff

[Revived]

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Even Monty is just as surprised as the rest of us

[Ghost of Kleine]

Phoenix Suns (@Suns) Tweeted:
In the last 35 years, only players with 75+ points and 50+ rebounds through first 4 career playoff games:

▪️Deandre Ayton
▪️Shaquille O’Neal
▪️David Robinson
▪️Patrick Ewing

#RallyTheValley https://t.co/kxbjoWBI1m

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Definitely encouraging to see him take this next big step! Excited to see where he ends up in his progression by next season!

[bwgood77]

Being physical was his major red flag and now he's just steamrolling Drummond like there's nothing in front of him.

This mentality evolution + his bizarre touch is just too much for anyone else.

I'm so happy for him and this is coming from the biggest Luka's fanboy in this forum.

Yeah, nice to have you back or at least see a post after seeing you leave after the Ayton over Luka pick.

Of course you great analysis and stat breakdowns were always great to read.

Obviously I was a huge Luka fan too and after Ayton's first year, particularly defensively, compared to what Luka was doing it was tough.

But his defensive improvement last year shocked me, so I began to be really impressed with him.

Then this year he has continued defensive improvement, despite having lapses likely due to so much incoming info to process from CP3, etc, but he has become better at taking smart shots, fewer midrange, more shots around baskets when open, not going against double teams and passing to open shooter, making quick decisions offensively, which has increased his efficiency a ton.

He has also began to add more offensive moves...nice fadeaway, hook shot, and starting to drive more. If he can continue adding offense, getting to the line more, and adding a 3, he will be a pretty complete offensive big who is about the most versatile defensive 7 footer in the game.