Deandre Ayton news and highlights

[Revived]

So much inconsistent effort. Does this guy even love basketball? If he played with just 75% of the intensity of Holmes he'd be dominating the opposition. I don't think he'll ever play with the heart or passion of someone like Doncic.

Who was it that said they played basketball (or some other sports) because they were good at it and could make a lot of money from it but not because they loved it?

I kinda get that vibe from Ayton. He likes being on a team, he likes the idea of playing a child's game that would pay him millions and he's luckily naturally gifted enough to be NBA talent but basketball isn't something he necessarily loves. If there is an issue, it's probably that he won't reach the heights we expect he could get to just because he doesn't have the passion for it to work on his craft.

Eh, I’m as big an Ayton critic as any but I don’t think it’s fair to say this about him yet.

Can’t judge his work ethic or his passion for working on his game till he’s had one full off season after playing in the league.

Skill wise, he’s actually not lacking all that much (on the offensive end). He just doesn’t have the motor to do it consistently and I’m not certain that’s something players can improve on.

I’d expect him to watch more film and get better especially defensively over the next off season. He has to be at least average on that end for a player with his physical tools.

[Bogyo]

Maybe he considers himself a big woman?

(j/k)

[sunsbg]

That Ayton doesn’t consider himself a big man? Eh maybe eventually it will be but not there yet.

This is just talk, of course he is a big man, 23 on mostly dunks and 12rbs speaks for it well enough.

If a GM thought he's a Shaq then he should be fired immediately.

Also not sure why you will be upset if he actually thinks it, as half of the people on this board want to turn him into a 3 point shooter, most probably you are one of them.

Being able to shoot 3s doesn’t disqualify one being a big man.

Many of the best bigs in the game such as Embiid, Jokic, Towns etc all take 3pt attempts and still consider themselves very much a big man.

He obviously meant not a traditional big man, but why not make a big deal from nothing and bash our Nr1 pick.

He may very well come next season and shoot better from 3 than all those guys, but personally I don't want to see him hanging at the 3 point line and shoot a high volume, otherwise I may join the haters' party and start calling him a small girl.

[Revived]

This is just talk, of course he is a big man, 23 on mostly dunks and 12rbs speaks for it well enough.

If a GM thought he's a Shaq then he should be fired immediately.

Also not sure why you will be upset if he actually thinks it, as half of the people on this board want to turn him into a 3 point shooter, most probably you are one of them.

Being able to shoot 3s doesn’t disqualify one being a big man.

Many of the best bigs in the game such as Embiid, Jokic, Towns etc all take 3pt attempts and still consider themselves very much a big man.

He obviously meant not a traditional big man, but why not make a big deal from nothing and bash our Nr1 pick.

He may very well come next season and shoot better from 3 than all those guys, but personally I don't want to see him hanging at the 3 point line and shoot a high volume, otherwise I may join the haters' party and start calling him a small girl.

I could care less about whether he shots 3s or not. He’s pretty lethal from the mid range area so that itself should space the court enough with him on the court.

Traditional big man or not, he needs to focus on playing physical and with a high motor. That’s all I ask.

[Revived]

Ayton will still be a top 5 player in this draft...right now he's arguably top two and definitely top 3 or 4.

In the rookie thread on the GB, Ayton trails JJJ for #2 pick in a potential re draft.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1796395&p=72731074#p72731074

By a decent margin too.

I’d take Ayton #2 but I can see the case for JJJ because of his defensive ability and high energy (basically the exact opposite playing style of Ayton).

[WeekapaugGroove]

Being able to shoot 3s doesn’t disqualify one being a big man.

Many of the best bigs in the game such as Embiid, Jokic, Towns etc all take 3pt attempts and still consider themselves very much a big man.

He obviously meant not a traditional big man, but why not make a big deal from nothing and bash our Nr1 pick.

He may very well come next season and shoot better from 3 than all those guys, but personally I don't want to see him hanging at the 3 point line and shoot a high volume, otherwise I may join the haters' party and start calling him a small girl.

I could care less about whether he shots 3s or not. He’s pretty lethal from the mid range area so that itself should space the court enough with him on the court.

Traditional big man or not, he needs to focus on playing physical and with a high motor. That’s all I ask.

It doesn't really work that way, if he's sitting in the mid range his defender is still close enough to help on a driver going to the hoop. If a defender has to respect the threat of him nailing an open 3 then they are further away and it's much harder for them to help.

No one wants ayton to become modern day Brook Lopez and camp out there all game. But adding that to his tool set helps the drivers when you want to go iso but it can also help him utilize his passing skills because you can get him the ball up there and if his defender has to come up and actually defend him it opens up cutting opportunities into an open lane for his teammates. It also opens up the pick and pop option where he can shoot over a guard on the switch.

Lastly one of the main reasons he should try to develop it is that is simply because the indicators are there that he can do it. Guys like him that are good ft shooters with good touch overall tend to be able to extend their range. It's not like your trying to force him to develop a skill that he probably can't do.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

[Frank Lee]

One thing at a time with this kid

The last thing I want to see is him getting too comfortable on the arc. It will come in time I’m sure, but he can get that elbow j anytime and that baby hook looks unstoppable

[bwgood77]

Ayton will still be a top 5 player in this draft...right now he's arguably top two and definitely top 3 or 4.

In the rookie thread on the GB, Ayton trails JJJ for #2 pick in a potential re draft.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1796395&p=72731074#p72731074

By a decent margin too.

I’d take Ayton #2 but I can see the case for JJJ because of his defensive ability and high energy (basically the exact opposite playing style of Ayton).

Poll earlier had the same. It's arguable. Ayton kills him in rebounding and passing. JJJ kills him in defense and rim protection. They score almost the same per 36 and have a similar TS%.

JJJ obviously also has the 3 which is huge. JJJ in many ways is better for the modern game but you have to have a great rebounder next to him...he's probably about the best guy you could have next to a Kanter, or say, a Julius Randle.

Or, certainly, a Zion. He'd fit much better with Zion than Ayton would....definitely hope they don't win the lottery. Or Dallas of course..Zion would fit very well with Porzingis and even Kleber.

[bwgood77]

He obviously meant not a traditional big man, but why not make a big deal from nothing and bash our Nr1 pick.

He may very well come next season and shoot better from 3 than all those guys, but personally I don't want to see him hanging at the 3 point line and shoot a high volume, otherwise I may join the haters' party and start calling him a small girl.

I could care less about whether he shots 3s or not. He’s pretty lethal from the mid range area so that itself should space the court enough with him on the court.

Traditional big man or not, he needs to focus on playing physical and with a high motor. That’s all I ask.

It doesn't really work that way, if he's sitting in the mid range his defender is still close enough to help on a driver going to the hoop. If a defender has to respect the threat of him nailing an open 3 then they are further away and it's much harder for them to help.

No one wants ayton to become modern day Brook Lopez and camp out there all game. But adding that to his tool set helps the drivers when you want to go iso but it can also help him utilize his passing skills because you can get him the ball up there and if his defender has to come up and actually defend him it opens up cutting opportunities into an open lane for his teammates. It also opens up the pick and pop option where he can shoot over a guard on the switch.

Lastly one of the main reasons he should try to develop it is that is simply because the indicators are there that he can do it. Guys like him that are good ft shooters with good touch overall tend to be able to extend their range. It's not like your trying to force him to develop a skill that he probably can't do.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

Well it's obvious he knows he needs to add it and is working on it. It's nice he's not out there trying to launch a ton of 3s though until he starts feeling comfortable with it. I have a pretty good feeling he will end up pretty good from the arc. Seems he really likes to work on his offensive game.

[Revived]

Ayton will still be a top 5 player in this draft...right now he's arguably top two and definitely top 3 or 4.

In the rookie thread on the GB, Ayton trails JJJ for #2 pick in a potential re draft.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1796395&p=72731074#p72731074

By a decent margin too.

I’d take Ayton #2 but I can see the case for JJJ because of his defensive ability and high energy (basically the exact opposite playing style of Ayton).

Poll earlier had the same. It's arguable. Ayton kills him in rebounding and passing. JJJ kills him in defense and rim protection. They score almost the same per 36 and have a similar TS%.

JJJ obviously also has the 3 which is huge. JJJ in many ways is better for the modern game but you have to have a great rebounder next to him...he's probably about the best guy you could have next to a Kanter, or say, a Julius Randle.

Or, certainly, a Zion. He'd fit much better with Zion than Ayton would....definitely hope they don't win the lottery. Or Dallas of course..Zion would fit very well with Porzingis and even Kleber.

Damn does Dallas even a legitimate chance at winning the lottery? I can’t see them being one of the worst 3 teams in the league (unless Carslie pulls out the BS reverse analytics lineups again).

I know you in particular liked JJJr and actually mentioned it back then too how his game would translate well to the pros. I pretty much didn’t care about JJJr all that much pre draft. Looks like you were right though.

[lilfishi22]

So much inconsistent effort. Does this guy even love basketball? If he played with just 75% of the intensity of Holmes he'd be dominating the opposition. I don't think he'll ever play with the heart or passion of someone like Doncic.

Who was it that said they played basketball (or some other sports) because they were good at it and could make a lot of money from it but not because they loved it?

I kinda get that vibe from Ayton. He likes being on a team, he likes the idea of playing a child's game that would pay him millions and he's luckily naturally gifted enough to be NBA talent but basketball isn't something he necessarily loves. If there is an issue, it's probably that he won't reach the heights we expect he could get to just because he doesn't have the passion for it to work on his craft.

Eh, I’m as big an Ayton critic as any but I don’t think it’s fair to say this about him yet.

Can’t judge his work ethic or his passion for working on his game till he’s had one full off season after playing in the league.

Skill wise, he’s actually not lacking all that much (on the offensive end). He just doesn’t have the motor to do it consistently and I’m not certain that’s something players can improve on.

I’d expect him to watch more film and get better especially defensively over the next off season. He has to be at least average on that end for a player with his physical tools.

No I'm saying if it was an issue, that's where it'll affect his career the most. He'll still be a 20/10 guy but he could be like a 28/14 guy

[bwgood77]

In the rookie thread on the GB, Ayton trails JJJ for #2 pick in a potential re draft.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1796395&p=72731074#p72731074

By a decent margin too.

I’d take Ayton #2 but I can see the case for JJJ because of his defensive ability and high energy (basically the exact opposite playing style of Ayton).

Poll earlier had the same. It's arguable. Ayton kills him in rebounding and passing. JJJ kills him in defense and rim protection. They score almost the same per 36 and have a similar TS%.

JJJ obviously also has the 3 which is huge. JJJ in many ways is better for the modern game but you have to have a great rebounder next to him...he's probably about the best guy you could have next to a Kanter, or say, a Julius Randle.

Or, certainly, a Zion. He'd fit much better with Zion than Ayton would....definitely hope they don't win the lottery. Or Dallas of course..Zion would fit very well with Porzingis and even Kleber.

Damn does Dallas even a legitimate chance at winning the lottery? I can’t see them being one of the worst 3 teams in the league (unless Carslie pulls out the BS reverse analytics lineups again).

I know you in particular liked JJJr and actually mentioned it back then too how his game would translate well to the pros. I pretty much didn’t care about JJJr all that much pre draft. Looks like you were right though.

There are a bunch of teams really close. Right now Orlando and Washington are in the 7th and 8th worst spots, and those spots have a 7.5% chance and 6% chance. So about half as good as the worst 3 teams. Dallas is a couple games ahead of them..and some others in between. As it sits today, Dallas only has about a 2% chance, but a couple losses down the stretch and wins by the Magic/Wizards, etc, could flip things easily.

[thamadkant]

Ayton doesnt get as much touches when Booker is playing... Ayton becomes a screener at top

[handsome salary]

Nice article and praise for the kid:
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2019/2/10/18219367/deandre-ayton-getting-glossed-over-by-his-own-fans-rookie-of-the-year-doncic

[Frank Lee]

The overall lemonpuckering attitude to this team is not his fault. But his candyass confused demeanor is. He might be looking into changing it though. Seemed last night he was playing a little more edgey, tossing some elbows out on his 30 ft away screens and such. He still does not look for the ball enough, and a lot of times isnt even looking at the ball handler. He sets his screen, then puts his head down and runs to his next spot. So mechanical and obviously he is processing his movements. Same goes on D where he doesnt react with out thinking and so afraid of leaving his man. Its killing the help D, as he is often the main helper. He just doesnt have the 'Own the Paint' mindset.

Also I think he is down a few notches on the pecking order and is intimadated by his own team mates. Largely because he doesnt know WTF he is doing. I see him on the receiving end of post bad play discussions repeated.

This season long discussion on whether he is the right pick or not is moot. We got a good player (two actually) , but he is surrounded by not so good players or at least, ones who have yet to reach their potential too.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Nice article and praise for the kid:
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2019/2/10/18219367/deandre-ayton-getting-glossed-over-by-his-own-fans-rookie-of-the-year-doncic

Dave King has reached soccer mom level with Ayton. I also find the bash Ayton and think he's a bum people equally ridiculous. Feel like too many people fall in the extremes with him.

[GoodBehavior]

Nice article and praise for the kid:
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2019/2/10/18219367/deandre-ayton-getting-glossed-over-by-his-own-fans-rookie-of-the-year-doncic

Dave King has reached soccer mom level with Ayton. I also find the bash Ayton and think he's a bum people equally ridiculous. Feel like too many people fall in the extremes with him.

Article is spot on. He's not going to win ROY but he's damn good and media doesn't care about him. Sounds legit to me.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Nice article and praise for the kid:
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2019/2/10/18219367/deandre-ayton-getting-glossed-over-by-his-own-fans-rookie-of-the-year-doncic

Dave King has reached soccer mom level with Ayton. I also find the bash Ayton and think he's a bum people equally ridiculous. Feel like too many people fall in the extremes with him.

Article is spot on. He's not going to win ROY but he's damn good and media doesn't care about him. Sounds legit to me.

When you're on a terrible team you don't get media attention (or at least any positive attention). How much have you been following players on the Bulls, Cavs, or Knicks? That's just he way it is.

[GoodBehavior]

Dave King has reached soccer mom level with Ayton. I also find the bash Ayton and think he's a bum people equally ridiculous. Feel like too many people fall in the extremes with him.

Article is spot on. He's not going to win ROY but he's damn good and media doesn't care about him. Sounds legit to me.

When you're on a terrible team you don't get media attention (or at least any positive attention). How much have you been following players on the Bulls, Cavs, or Knicks? That's just he way it is.

Your point is off topic and irrelevant. How is this Dave King's article reaching "soccer mom level" when he's pointing out the obvious? What part of this particular article is "extreme" in his view of ayton?

It sounds like a very level-headed article. I have no idea why you construe it as soccer mom infatuation.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Article is spot on. He's not going to win ROY but he's damn good and media doesn't care about him. Sounds legit to me.

When you're on a terrible team you don't get media attention (or at least any positive attention). How much have you been following players on the Bulls, Cavs, or Knicks? That's just he way it is.

Your point is off topic and irrelevant. How is this Dave King's article reaching "soccer mom level" when he's pointing out the obvious? What part of this particular article is "extreme" in his view of ayton?

It sounds like a very level-headed article. I have no idea why you construe it as soccer mom infatuation.

It's Dave's whole body of work on twitter and brightside that made me call him an Ayton soccer mom not this article specifically. But the article is some boo hoo no one is paying attention or our guy who is putting up some cool stats.