Deandre Ayton news and highlights

[Hesh]

Someone mentioned this a while ago, but he also doesn't seem to care about his stats and lets his teammates take rebounds from him. Don't know if this is a good or a bad thing. But I notice this a lot in games too, the ball might be bouncing towards him, and he'll notice Josh or someone else running for it, he'll just let them take it.

[bwgood77]

This is good, actually. Everyone is pointing out his flaws and being vocal about it. He spoke about how Igor told him not to worry about what other people are saying about him. So, he's definitely paying attention to the criticism and it should light a fire under him.

Maybe it won't happen throughout the course of this season, but definitely during the off-season. He should be looking to prove people wrong.

Worst case scenario, it has the opposite effect and he regresses (Iol) but he doesn't seem like the Bender type too much.

I agree with this. I think it's good he hears it if it's not in a trolling sort of way, to hopefully light some fire under him. When everyone worships you regardless of your play, it might not provide much for motivation. Though who knows? I'm not talking so much here as much as people tagging him on twitter saying they to see him protect the rim and foul some people hard tonight. He has, at times, after being called out by coach for not being aggressive, even after disagreeing at first, come out the next game and be more aggressive, and even said after that game that he knew he needed to be more aggressive from the start.

[bwgood77]

I'd like to provide a bit more context to the Ayton is a terrible defender assertion.

Rim protection has definitely not been his strong suit, as evidenced by opponents FG% against him inside of 6 feet (65.5% vs. 7.4 attempts), but his overall DFG% is 48.4% vs. 17.2 attempts - to provide some context, Clint Capela's DFG% is 45.9% vs. 19.3 attempts, Anthony Davis's is 46.9% vs. 17.8 attempts, Al Horford's is 47.5% vs. 15.9 attempts, Steven Adams' is 47.6% vs. 16.2 attempts, and Rudy Gobert's is 49.8% vs. 17.4 attempts. I think most would agree that these dudes are considered to be good to great defenders, and Ayton isn't too far off in overall DFG%, and compared to his rookie peers Wendell Carter Jr.'s DFG% is 47.3% vs. 13.5 attempts and JJJ's is 46.4% vs. 10.9 attempts, which again, is behind, but not as drastically as I think most people would assume.

I'm also a little surprised by the reaction to the game tonight. We didn't have our two best scorers - one of them also being our leading assister, and had 3 guys go a combined 0-15 from 3... But I guess our 7 footer should've demanded the ball on the inbounds and dribble the ball 90 feet in order to post up and take 20 shots?

I've noticed his overall DFG% relative to other centers is pretty good. I think that's because he disrupts shots a bit away from the rim and switches well, and usually plays good man defense away from the rim, and ok man defense around the rim, but the help defense around the rim or getting in there to make it tough for guards to get an easy lay up is near non existent like in college.

I personally don't care much about his offense right now. He is very efficient and I think that will come when we have a more competent PG and our other scoring options back to relieve pressure.

I do agree that people are overreacting to the game when we were missing our two best players/scorers and already have a very thin roster to start with.

[bwgood77]

It's too bad the C's in recent years...Duncan and KG got paid so much that it would be hard to hire them as an asst coach to help Ayton. It would be nice if we could bring in someone like Ben Wallace, who Igor coached and who was a defensive stud who may not have nearly the bank that some of these other guys have.

[Archx]

We wouldn't be in a much better spot if we had Luka now. The assumption was that if we took Luka, we would've taken or signed a rim protector to make the team more balanced. If we had taken Luka but didn't add a rim protector, we would still have the same defensive issues and likely still have issues getting high % buckets

The assumption with Ayton is that we would've taken (SGA) or signed a PG. We haven't done that. No matter who we took, that one player alone wasn't going to make us competitive.

If we took Luka, we would be starting Holmes for about 35mins a night. Theres your rim protector right there.

We most definitely would be in a better situation right now. Too early to tell about the where we would be in the future, but Luka has outplayed Ayton so far.

Luka has outplayed Ayton sure but does he have as good a rookie season he's having now if he was on our team?

Also we don't know how effective Holmes is playing starter minutes. Love his energy and hustle off the bench in about 20mpg but starting is a different beast

He leads the Mavs in 4th Q points, is one of the best ( % wise players) in the entire NBA in clutch points. Has hit more step back 3's than the next 23 teams and is hitting over 41% on his own pull up shots, which is also up there with the superstars. He is averaging almost 7rbs per game with DJ ( who is gunning for those rebounds like his life depends of it ) and 4 assists by not even playing a traditional PG at 19yo and a coach who runs 0 plays for him.

Yes, i would bet he would be close to 22-25ppg and 6-8apg and would make insanely good 1-2 punch with Booker, while TJ providing backup scoring. Don't know who the center would be, but Holmes looks great and i think there was some talk that Suns would go after Robinson at 16.
Also with Booker being out so much, Suns would probably only have 4-5 more wins, but i guess that would be enough ,to at least, have some confidence going forward and maybe a good indicator that FA's would actually want to sign here for reasonable amount of money.

[Frank Lee]

Ayton would **** his pants from one Ben Wallace glare.

[bwgood77]

If we took Luka, we would be starting Holmes for about 35mins a night. Theres your rim protector right there.

We most definitely would be in a better situation right now. Too early to tell about the where we would be in the future, but Luka has outplayed Ayton so far.

Luka has outplayed Ayton sure but does he have as good a rookie season he's having now if he was on our team?

Also we don't know how effective Holmes is playing starter minutes. Love his energy and hustle off the bench in about 20mpg but starting is a different beast

He leads the Mavs in 4th Q points, is one of the best ( % wise players) in the entire NBA in clutch points. Has hit more step back 3's than the next 23 teams and is hitting over 41% on his own pull up shots, which is also up there with the superstars. He is averaging almost 7rbs per game with DJ ( who is gunning for those rebounds like his life depends of it ) and 4 assists by not even playing a traditional PG at 19yo and a coach who runs 0 plays for him.

Yes, i would bet he would be close to 22-25ppg and 6-8apg and would make insanely good 1-2 punch with Booker, while TJ providing backup scoring. Don't know who the center would be, but Holmes looks great and i think there was some talk that Suns would go after Robinson at 16.
Also with Booker being out so much, Suns would probably only have 4-5 more wins, but i guess that would be enough ,to at least, have some confidence going forward and maybe a good indicator that FA's would actually want to sign here for reasonable amount of money.

Yeah, not sure why he wouldn't look good on our team having played under Igor, wanting to play under him, and particularly when Booker and Warren are out. At least he puts in maximum effort night in and night out.

[bwgood77]

Ayton would **** his pants from one Ben Wallace glare.

How about Bill Laimbeer. Where is his coaching now? Given his coaching experience and your nickname for DeAndre, maybe you'd like him as a fit. I always despised Laimbeer as a player, but Ayton could use a dose of him.

[bwgood77]

Love to see an Ayton play like this.

Read on Twitter

[Frank Lee]

If we took Luka, we would be starting Holmes for about 35mins a night. Theres your rim protector right there.

We most definitely would be in a better situation right now. Too early to tell about the where we would be in the future, but Luka has outplayed Ayton so far.

Luka has outplayed Ayton sure but does he have as good a rookie season he's having now if he was on our team?

Also we don't know how effective Holmes is playing starter minutes. Love his energy and hustle off the bench in about 20mpg but starting is a different beast

He leads the Mavs in 4th Q points, is one of the best ( % wise players) in the entire NBA in clutch points. Has hit more step back 3's than the next 23 teams and is hitting over 41% on his own pull up shots, which is also up there with the superstars. He is averaging almost 7rbs per game with DJ ( who is gunning for those rebounds like his life depends of it ) and 4 assists by not even playing a traditional PG at 19yo and a coach who runs 0 plays for him.

Yes, i would bet he would be close to 22-25ppg and 6-8apg and would make insanely good 1-2 punch with Booker, while TJ providing backup scoring. Don't know who the center would be, but Holmes looks great and i think there was some talk that Suns would go after Robinson at 16.
Also with Booker being out so much, Suns would probably only have 4-5 more wins, but i guess that would be enough ,to at least, have some confidence going forward and maybe a good indicator that FA's would actually want to sign here for reasonable amount of money.

Just stop it Arch.... there is no convincing stat or observation or opinion you can put out there to deter this Ayton love that an ever shrinking group have. It goes deeper than just Luka vs Ayton. Its the Im right youre wong internet ego at stake. Its the UoA homer club. It runs rampant here. How dare anyone blame this 'Kid'... he's just a 'kid' ... C's take longer to develop.... We have no point guard (IE not his fault)... Its the coach's fault.... Sarver is a baffoon... the excuses will not end.

All you are is a slight annoyance, pointing out, logically and with tempered facts and opinion I might add, a very convincing case that the SUNS F-d up by passing on Doncic, who really does look like what he was billed as. Me? Im a jerk cause ive labeled our golden boy Sheandre.

You see, Its not so much on what we got.... any other draft I'd say we'd be happy to have Ayton... but this one is going to sting and sting and sting again when we are continually reminded on who we could of had. And eventually it may not be just Doncic we are referring to. It just really sucks being a Suns fan and watching them/us whiff on 5 top ten picks. But it sucks more when you see a player who clearly is a game changer that we could of had. And to find out owner wanted him all along... Thanks McDammitSarverShouldHaveFiredYouSooner. That F-er sure got one effective long lasting parting shot in.

Fact is Ayton is a long ways away from being a cornerstone piece. His stock is plummeting.... or at least adjusting to the true price. Doncic's is rising. There will soon be no doubt of this.



I look for a back injury soon to sit Ayton down and regroup, mentally more so than physically. He is on a path of pitch fork and torches disfavor. He is so lucky he works in an environment where the media is as soft as his game. He would get POUNDED in NY or(?). How do you think he would answer any direct question about his disappearing act on D, his NO F-n Fouls passivity, his obvious lack of basketball sense.... its coming ... the elephant in the room is beginning to move the furniture. Meanwhile, the Feng shui is Dallas has improved three fold.

Sister kissing Suns... we all should be used to it by now.

And I will be honest with you Sir Archibald, Im already a closet Mavs fan. I enjoy watching them and the Luka show way more. But then agin, it almost takes a sadist F*** to watch the Suns, let alone be any type of passionate fan. This organization is at an all time low... and it is showcased by your argument.

[Frank Lee]

Ayton would **** his pants from one Ben Wallace glare.

How about Bill Laimbeer. Where is his coaching now? Given his coaching experience and your nickname for DeAndre, maybe you'd like him as a fit. I always despised Laimbeer as a player, but Ayton could use a dose of him.

Haha...

I dont know if you were setting me up for this... but given Bill's recent success, I believe you may be 100% correct

https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/basketball/aces-wnba/bill-laimbeer-begins-quest-to-build-wnbas-aces-into-champion/

[Archx]

Just stop it Arch.... there is no convincing stat or observation or opinion you can put out there to deter this Ayton love that an ever shrinking group have. It goes deeper than just Luka vs Ayton. Its the Im right youre wong internet ego at stake. Its the UoA homer club. It runs rampant here. How dare anyone blame this 'Kid'... he's just a 'kid' ... C's take longer to develop.... We have no point guard (IE not his fault)... Its the coach's fault.... Sarver is a baffoon... the excuses will not end.

Haha you're a funny dude, i like reading your posts, that's for sure

But yeah, was just answering Fishi, he was questioning if Luka could have any impact on Suns and well in my opinion, he would have a much greater impact. He is a fighter at least and cares deeply about winning. And it also changes the locker room mentality when you have a rookie who will give 100% every night while also being your best scorer/player.

Like you said, for now, it looks like Suns F'ckd up but i sure as hell, as a fan, hope they can turn it around. But at this point i believe tanking season is already in full effect.

[bwgood77]

Just stop it Arch.... there is no convincing stat or observation or opinion you can put out there to deter this Ayton love that an ever shrinking group have. It goes deeper than just Luka vs Ayton. Its the Im right youre wong internet ego at stake. Its the UoA homer club.

Not sure about that. AZ fans were quite split. kennydorglas was an AZ fan and Suns fan and long time poster and gave up on the team and left the boards after the Ayton choice. I was worried about the defensive instincts, rim protection, help D, etc, and was leaning Doncic. There were others. There were of course a handful of AZ fans that wanted Ayton and defended him no matter what and blamed it on the coach and scheme like people are doing now.

Ironically it seems like all ASU fans (at least ones with logos) wanted Ayton though, and a UCLA fan was the most vocal supporter.

Obviously I retain hope and it can never be a monumental bust due to offensive efficiency and rebounding...not like Bender and Chriss. I'll give Jackson at least until the end of this year and one offseason to see if he comes back with an improved shot, etc. But he has shown a few good things.

It is still extremely early and he is light years ahead of most Cs that come into the league on the offensive end and rebounding. JJJ looks great for the modern NBA with the defense and 3 pt shooting, and Carter with the D and I was very high on both of them.

Ayton has good and bad. Unfortunately you need that rim protection, defensive IQ and aggressiveness to really be a difference maker in the NBA these days because many of the most potent offenses just shoot 3s and go to the rim so you need to at least protect the rim and hopefully the 3 pt line.

[Frank Lee]

Yeah, you are correct... apologies to those Wildcatters that identified this guy as a 'Mildcat'.

And I dont mean to imply Ayton is a whiff... he's a foul back into the stands... its 0 and 1. He definitely has proven offensive skills but, well, we know where he is lacking. I think you are spot on about today's C. A C who cant protect the paint is like a PG who doesnt pass. May be, just may be... he is better suited at PF. This is a thought I think we will have to address as I believe he has decent one on one D skills and should be nimble enough to be bothersome on the perimeter, especially with his length.

Also, I think you should watch his rebounding efforts closer. I just dont see the box out techniques, nor the fight for the ball desire. Just out of sheer size alone he should snare 6-7 boards. Also, I noticed this last night and wonder if it continues. When he is at the high post, positioned at the free throw line and some one shoots... he immediate fades back onto D rather than attacking the glass. I mean he is backpeddling before the shot hits the rim. At times the whole team does it. Is this coaching? Its hard to say he ever 'attacks' the glass.

I sure hopes he puts it together, but this year is a loss and not sure how he will handle the harsh reality of spotlight criticism. He's a nice kid in a mean man world.


As far as Jackson goes.... his 'flashes' are being overwhelmed by his 'crashes'.

[handsome salary]

Trailing 36-9 at the end of the first quarter, the Suns fell behind by as many as 35 in the second, 53-18.
That’s their largest deficit of the season.
“This is my first time being in a situation like that,” Ayton said. “I’ve never been in that situation before where you’re down by that much in the first quarter.”

Whatever.

[RaisingArizona]

[handsome salary]

You get to find these wha happened quotes after every loss, ie., game now.

The Suns rookie 7-footer still remembers the Los Angeles Lakers running through them a month ago by 18 points at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

“We wanted to come to their home and destroy them,” Ayton said. “That was the only thing going through my head. We want to come in here and destroy you all, like really knock ya’ll out.”

[sunsbg]

If we took Luka, we would be starting Holmes for about 35mins a night. Theres your rim protector right there.

We most definitely would be in a better situation right now. Too early to tell about the where we would be in the future, but Luka has outplayed Ayton so far.

Luka has outplayed Ayton sure but does he have as good a rookie season he's having now if he was on our team?

Also we don't know how effective Holmes is playing starter minutes. Love his energy and hustle off the bench in about 20mpg but starting is a different beast

He leads the Mavs in 4th Q points, is one of the best ( % wise players) in the entire NBA in clutch points. Has hit more step back 3's than the next 23 teams and is hitting over 41% on his own pull up shots, which is also up there with the superstars. He is averaging almost 7rbs per game with DJ ( who is gunning for those rebounds like his life depends of it ) and 4 assists by not even playing a traditional PG at 19yo and a coach who runs 0 plays for him.

Yes, i would bet he would be close to 22-25ppg and 6-8apg and would make insanely good 1-2 punch with Booker, while TJ providing backup scoring. Don't know who the center would be, but Holmes looks great and i think there was some talk that Suns would go after Robinson at 16.
Also with Booker being out so much, Suns would probably only have 4-5 more wins, but i guess that would be enough ,to at least, have some confidence going forward and maybe a good indicator that FA's would actually want to sign here for reasonable amount of money.

Props to Luka for hitting those step back 3's. If he was doing it on Real I would have been for selecting him with the 1st pick. Good I'm winning some money from him winning the ROY now.

Ayton is reaching JJ's territory, where you want to defend him, but simply can't. How much time before he is diagnosed with Fultz's disease ? I have no idea what's wrong with these people, what kind of mental issue this is. You are the Nr 1 pick and behave like some utter scrub.

Now that I finally criticized him, let's hope he goes out there and shows some passion.

[sunsbg]

Luka has outplayed Ayton sure but does he have as good a rookie season he's having now if he was on our team?

Also we don't know how effective Holmes is playing starter minutes. Love his energy and hustle off the bench in about 20mpg but starting is a different beast

He leads the Mavs in 4th Q points, is one of the best ( % wise players) in the entire NBA in clutch points. Has hit more step back 3's than the next 23 teams and is hitting over 41% on his own pull up shots, which is also up there with the superstars. He is averaging almost 7rbs per game with DJ ( who is gunning for those rebounds like his life depends of it ) and 4 assists by not even playing a traditional PG at 19yo and a coach who runs 0 plays for him.

Yes, i would bet he would be close to 22-25ppg and 6-8apg and would make insanely good 1-2 punch with Booker, while TJ providing backup scoring. Don't know who the center would be, but Holmes looks great and i think there was some talk that Suns would go after Robinson at 16.
Also with Booker being out so much, Suns would probably only have 4-5 more wins, but i guess that would be enough ,to at least, have some confidence going forward and maybe a good indicator that FA's would actually want to sign here for reasonable amount of money.

Just stop it Arch.... there is no convincing stat or observation or opinion you can put out there to deter this Ayton love that an ever shrinking group have. It goes deeper than just Luka vs Ayton. Its the Im right youre wong internet ego at stake. Its the UoA homer club. It runs rampant here. How dare anyone blame this 'Kid'... he's just a 'kid' ... C's take longer to develop.... We have no point guard (IE not his fault)... Its the coach's fault.... Sarver is a baffoon... the excuses will not end.

All you are is a slight annoyance, pointing out, logically and with tempered facts and opinion I might add, a very convincing case that the SUNS F-d up by passing on Doncic, who really does look like what he was billed as. Me? Im a jerk cause ive labeled our golden boy Sheandre.

You see, Its not so much on what we got.... any other draft I'd say we'd be happy to have Ayton... but this one is going to sting and sting and sting again when we are continually reminded on who we could of had. And eventually it may not be just Doncic we are referring to. It just really sucks being a Suns fan and watching them/us whiff on 5 top ten picks. But it sucks more when you see a player who clearly is a game changer that we could of had. And to find out owner wanted him all along... Thanks McDammitSarverShouldHaveFiredYouSooner. That F-er sure got one effective long lasting parting shot in.

Fact is Ayton is a long ways away from being a cornerstone piece. His stock is plummeting.... or at least adjusting to the true price. Doncic's is rising. There will soon be no doubt of this.



I look for a back injury soon to sit Ayton down and regroup, mentally more so than physically. He is on a path of pitch fork and torches disfavor. He is so lucky he works in an environment where the media is as soft as his game. He would get POUNDED in NY or(?). How do you think he would answer any direct question about his disappearing act on D, his NO F-n Fouls passivity, his obvious lack of basketball sense.... its coming ... the elephant in the room is beginning to move the furniture. Meanwhile, the Feng shui is Dallas has improved three fold.

Sister kissing Suns... we all should be used to it by now.

And I will be honest with you Sir Archibald, Im already a closet Mavs fan. I enjoy watching them and the Luka show way more. But then agin, it almost takes a sadist F*** to watch the Suns, let alone be any type of passionate fan. This organization is at an all time low... and it is showcased by your argument.

Do you even realize above are true ?

[Archx]

Props to Luka for hitting those step back 3's. If he was doing it on Real I would have been for selecting him with the 1st pick. Good I'm winning some money from him winning the ROY now.

Well, where you think he got all these moves from? ... He just continues doing what he did for RM. Maybe you didn't watch enough games