Deandre Ayton news and highlights

[lilfishi22]

Maybe it's just me but it annoys me that it took Ayton's fadeaway to not hit with consistency for him to think he needs to get to the line. Like hey dude, you're 7ft 250lbs, you should be an and1 threat in the block anytime you're in the paint.

There is only one C who takes over 6 free throws a game. Next best is 5.59. Most of the next top tier is between maybe 4.5-5.5 attempts per game. I know he's absurdly low this year, and was just under 3 attempts per game last year, but I assume he will hit that top tier range after Embiid and get to over 4 free throws a game at some point this year.

Until then he's very poor at getting to the line.

I know I used FTA per game as a measure but FTr is probably a better stat to use. With this measure, Ayton's .113 FTr would put him between Mo Bamba and Bjelica. I'm not saying I expected him to be averaging a ton of FTA per game but he's abysmal right now and he was poor last season.

[bwgood77]

Maybe it's just me but it annoys me that it took Ayton's fadeaway to not hit with consistency for him to think he needs to get to the line. Like hey dude, you're 7ft 250lbs, you should be an and1 threat in the block anytime you're in the paint.

There is only one C who takes over 6 free throws a game. Next best is 5.59. Most of the next top tier is between maybe 4.5-5.5 attempts per game. I know he's absurdly low this year, and was just under 3 attempts per game last year, but I assume he will hit that top tier range after Embiid and get to over 4 free throws a game at some point this year.

Until then he's very poor at getting to the line.

I know I used FTA per game as a measure but FTr is probably a better stat to use. With this measure, Ayton's .113 FTr would put him between Mo Bamba and Bjelica. I'm not saying I expected him to be averaging a ton of FTA per game but he's abysmal right now and he was poor last season.

FTr may be since it won't be impacted by minutes, but most of the guys I am talking about play a lot of minutes...

Only 7 centers take 4 or more free throws a game and another 9 take between 3 and 4. So that's about the top half of NBA Cs.

I know he is absurdly low in FTA this year and was a tad under 3 FTA per game last year but I wouldn't be surprised if he gets up to around 4 and gets into that top 10 in FTA for Cs, but it's not like most Cs take a ton of free throws per game.

[lilfishi22]

There is only one C who takes over 6 free throws a game. Next best is 5.59. Most of the next top tier is between maybe 4.5-5.5 attempts per game. I know he's absurdly low this year, and was just under 3 attempts per game last year, but I assume he will hit that top tier range after Embiid and get to over 4 free throws a game at some point this year.

Until then he's very poor at getting to the line.

I know I used FTA per game as a measure but FTr is probably a better stat to use. With this measure, Ayton's .113 FTr would put him between Mo Bamba and Bjelica. I'm not saying I expected him to be averaging a ton of FTA per game but he's abysmal right now and he was poor last season.

FTr may be since it won't be impacted by minutes, but most of the guys I am talking about play a lot of minutes...

Only 7 centers take 4 or more free throws a game and another 9 take between 3 and 4. So that's about the top half of NBA Cs.

I know he is absurdly low in FTA this year and was a tad under 3 FTA per game last year but I wouldn't be surprised if he gets up to around 4 and gets into that top 10 in FTA for Cs, but it's not like most Cs take a ton of free throws per game.

Again, I'm not making a case that C's take a ton of FT's or that Ayton should be averaging 5-6 FTA's a game. I'm saying that right now he doesn't look like he's even looking at making contact to draw fouls. He should be able to draw more than the 1.8FTA's and averaging higher than .113FTr if he's not firing away from the mid-range every chance he gets. That's more of my frustration than not getting to the line more often because he will as you say, improve on both measures if he looks to draw contact. Which is why my initial question was whether he's just scared of contact or it's the way Monty has been playing him at the elbow spot which takes him out of the paint

[bwgood77]

Until then he's very poor at getting to the line.

I know I used FTA per game as a measure but FTr is probably a better stat to use. With this measure, Ayton's .113 FTr would put him between Mo Bamba and Bjelica. I'm not saying I expected him to be averaging a ton of FTA per game but he's abysmal right now and he was poor last season.

FTr may be since it won't be impacted by minutes, but most of the guys I am talking about play a lot of minutes...

Only 7 centers take 4 or more free throws a game and another 9 take between 3 and 4. So that's about the top half of NBA Cs.

I know he is absurdly low in FTA this year and was a tad under 3 FTA per game last year but I wouldn't be surprised if he gets up to around 4 and gets into that top 10 in FTA for Cs, but it's not like most Cs take a ton of free throws per game.

Again, I'm not making a case that C's take a ton of FT's or that Ayton should be averaging 5-6 FTA's a game. I'm saying that right now he doesn't look like he's even looking at making contact to draw fouls. He should be able to draw more than the 1.8FTA's and averaging higher than .113FTr if he's not firing away from the mid-range every chance he gets. That's more of my frustration than not getting to the line more often because he will as you say, improve on both measures if he looks to draw contact. Which is why my initial question was whether he's just scared of contact or it's the way Monty has been playing him at the elbow spot which takes him out of the paint

He's a little scared of contact, but I knew this going into the draft so it's something I was definitely expecting so am not really going to complain about now. He definitely needs to get to the rim more and just dunk it.

For some reason he is not finishing at the rim as well as last year. Last year he was at 73% at the rim and now he's at 63%. Bridges I think is our best at 68%.

[lilfishi22]

FTr may be since it won't be impacted by minutes, but most of the guys I am talking about play a lot of minutes...

Only 7 centers take 4 or more free throws a game and another 9 take between 3 and 4. So that's about the top half of NBA Cs.

I know he is absurdly low in FTA this year and was a tad under 3 FTA per game last year but I wouldn't be surprised if he gets up to around 4 and gets into that top 10 in FTA for Cs, but it's not like most Cs take a ton of free throws per game.

Again, I'm not making a case that C's take a ton of FT's or that Ayton should be averaging 5-6 FTA's a game. I'm saying that right now he doesn't look like he's even looking at making contact to draw fouls. He should be able to draw more than the 1.8FTA's and averaging higher than .113FTr if he's not firing away from the mid-range every chance he gets. That's more of my frustration than not getting to the line more often because he will as you say, improve on both measures if he looks to draw contact. Which is why my initial question was whether he's just scared of contact or it's the way Monty has been playing him at the elbow spot which takes him out of the paint

He's a little scared of contact, but I knew this going into the draft so it's something I was definitely expecting so am not really going to complain about now. He definitely needs to get to the rim more and just dunk it.

For some reason he is not finishing at the rim as well as last year. Last year he was at 73% at the rim and now he's at 63%. Bridges I think is our best at 68%.

It is a relief although not super surprising to see Bridges rounding out to be the 3&D player we expected him to be and for him to be finishing well at the rim as well is an added bonus.

[RedIndian]

This kid's game will open up only once he learns to put the ball on the floor. It doesn't have to be very complicated, but he needs to desperately add the a one or two dribble drive to his game. Right now, he's absolutely anemic to putting the ball on the floor, and literally shoots it from wherever he catches it. That's not a first option or even a second option scorer.

[bigfoot]

This kid's game will open up only once he learns to put the ball on the floor. It doesn't have to be very complicated, but he needs to desperately add the a one or two dribble drive to his game. Right now, he's absolutely anemic to putting the ball on the floor, and literally shoots it from wherever he catches it. That's not a first option or even a second option scorer.

Yeah but a few folks get mad that Booker and Oubre are the first and second options. Think Ayton should get their shots.

[bwgood77]

This kid's game will open up only once he learns to put the ball on the floor. It doesn't have to be very complicated, but he needs to desperately add the a one or two dribble drive to his game. Right now, he's absolutely anemic to putting the ball on the floor, and literally shoots it from wherever he catches it. That's not a first option or even a second option scorer.

Yeah but a few folks get mad that Booker and Oubre are the first and second options. Think Ayton should get their shots.

Well, Ayton was more efficient than both last season and more efficient from the field than either this last game (didn't check others), despite being off his game in the 4th, so yeah.

[bwgood77]

From some of the comments, I'm not sure some even watch the games. I know there are some who are haters regardless of play even if they do watch, but many just don't make sense based on how he has played so far.

[sunskerr]

This kid's game will open up only once he learns to put the ball on the floor. It doesn't have to be very complicated, but he needs to desperately add the a one or two dribble drive to his game. Right now, he's absolutely anemic to putting the ball on the floor, and literally shoots it from wherever he catches it. That's not a first option or even a second option scorer.

Yeah but a few folks get mad that Booker and Oubre are the first and second options. Think Ayton should get their shots.

Well, Ayton was more efficient than both last season and more efficient from the field than either this last game (didn't check others), despite being off his game in the 4th, so yeah.

He just doesn't have those moves yet, and that's why he's behind Booker and Oubre in the pecking order. You can't just say "he's more efficient, let's go to him more" without looking at how he's scoring those points. He's not scoring those efficient points off of dribble moves and going 1v1 against his man.

This is why Kokoskov used him as such, and why Monty uses him as such. Surely they know a little bit about how to utilize a big man. I was frustrated last year too about Ayton's "lack of touches", but truth be told he does get a lot of touches, at least last year he had a lot. But then it hit me after watching him very closely on the offensive end - he doesn't attack the rim at all because that's not in his skill set yet.

[bwgood77]

Yeah but a few folks get mad that Booker and Oubre are the first and second options. Think Ayton should get their shots.

Well, Ayton was more efficient than both last season and more efficient from the field than either this last game (didn't check others), despite being off his game in the 4th, so yeah.

He just doesn't have those moves yet, and that's why he's behind Booker and Oubre in the pecking order. You can't just say "he's more efficient, let's go to him more" without looking at how he's scoring those points. He's not scoring those efficient points off of dribble moves and going 1v1 against his man.

This is why Kokoskov used him as such, and why Monty uses him as such. Surely they know a little bit about how to utilize a big man. I was frustrated last year too about Ayton's "lack of touches", but truth be told he does get a lot of touches, at least last year he had a lot. But then it hit me after watching him very closely on the offensive end - he doesn't attack the rim at all because that's not in his skill set yet.

But even without whatever moves you are hoping for, he has shown to be more efficient. You will generally do better as a basketball team if you get your ball to your most efficient scorers the most. Though he still has only played in 7 games and was not real efficient in the game he got injured (9-19) or his first game back off the bench (3-9). If they'd just get him the ball, he'd be fine. Even last year when people were complaining he wasn't utilized the right way and needed to develop moves, he had over a 60% TS% as a rookie.

He will develop those things by getting the ball and learning the best ways to score against people in games.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I'm worried about Ayton's IQ, as demonstrated in part by his energy level. I just don't see any reason in the world why he would not be busting his butt out there and taking it to opponents. I've seen encouraging signs here and there, but now I've seen some truly troubling ones.

Not his BBIQ, mind you. His actual IQ. I worry that Shaq may have about 20 points on him. Hakeem and Patrick at least that much, Duncan and Robinson quite a lot more. Even Howard, like, 10 or 15.

I feel like I'm showing my @$$ here but it's always been my perception that the guys who play hardest are also generally the smartest. Being smart gives you confidence, because you know you can outwit other players. Devin and Ricky come across as the smartest guys in our rotation, fwiw.

I wonder if Sarver-McD learned all the wrong lessons from Brandon Knight. Thinking, "Hey smarts aren't everything!" as they apparently weren't with Brandon. Then that thought transposed into, "Smarts aren't anything," as we may just have to hope is the case with DA.

I would say that I wish he would read this so it lights a fire under him, but if my theory is correct, he'd be embarrassed internally by his exposure as a nitwit and would play confused, clumsy and pouty.

MF can't box out? How do you even need to think about boxing out? You're a PROFESSIONAL basketball player: boxing out should be pure instinct by now. A GOOD player would be in a defensive stance when attacked because he would feel the need to move, he'd block shots because he'd feel where the shot's coming. I hope you can teach it, but some things are more about your internal gifts.

..... I may be biased by the fact that I briefly "taught" at the high school that Deandre went to for a semester in Phoenix, before Deandre attended. It was.... not a good program. And listening to Deandre, I sometimes get the feeling that he may have fit in a little too well at that school.

[JDJ26]

Ayton's game is like a hybrid of Kevin Garnett/Lamarcus Aldridge with his preference for mid-range shots and fadeaways from the post.

Ayton has already shown improvement on defense. He may not be an intimidating shot blocker but I would rather have him alter shots and cause opposing teams to miss than go for the highlight blocks and foul or miss and give up easy points.

He does need to improve his ball-handling abilities. If he can develop that it will open up his game even more.

I just hope the Suns don't make a panic trade and include Ayton in the trade. I think its too early to give up on him.

[bwgood77]

Ayton's game is like a hybrid of Kevin Garnett/Lamarcus Aldridge with his preference for mid-range shots and fadeaways from the post.

Ayton has already shown improvement on defense. He may not be an intimidating shot blocker but I would rather have him alter shots and cause opposing teams to miss than go for the highlight blocks and foul or miss and give up easy points.

He does need to improve his ball-handling abilities. If he can develop that it will open up his game even more.

I just hope the Suns don't make a panic trade and include Ayton in the trade. I think its too early to give up on him.

They won't. People are vastly overreacting. He's not nearly as passive as some of our other high picks, and his defense is what this team needs most, not some dribbling. He will be an efficient scorer...that's really the least of my worries...keep growing on D, extend range, continue to get better at screens. I would say 4th biggest area to improve at best is putting it on the floor.

[Saberestar]

Read on Twitter

[bwgood77]

Read on Twitter

She had a ton of tweets last night during and after the game. Very good follow.

[Revived]

I only watched parts of the game here and there but he had some really bad moments against Cody Zeller last night but overall, he seemed to have done a solid job protecting the rim.

[lilfishi22]

I only watched parts of the game here and there but he had some really bad moments against Cody Zeller last night but overall, he seemed to have done a solid job protecting the rim.

At this point, I do think that Ayton's actual defense is probably better than his defensive reputation which isn't too hard since it was pretty poor. I do like the trajectory of his defensive progression which is a good thing since I thought it would take a long while before he "gets it" but it does look like he's already starting to make better rotations, knowing how to use his body better (not biting on fakes) and just overall better defensive awareness in terms of what he role is.

[Saberestar]

I only watched parts of the game here and there but he had some really bad moments against Cody Zeller last night but overall, he seemed to have done a solid job protecting the rim.

At this point, I do think that Ayton's actual defense is probably better than his defensive reputation which isn't too hard since it was pretty poor. I do like the trajectory of his defensive progression which is a good thing since I thought it would take a long while before he "gets it" but it does look like he's already starting to make better rotations, knowing how to use his body better (not biting on fakes) and just overall better defensive awareness in terms of what he role is.

That is exactly how I see it.

Ayton made some mistakes but he altered a lot of shots yesterday. He is getting better at help defense and he is reacting faster than last year.

[lilfishi22]

I only watched parts of the game here and there but he had some really bad moments against Cody Zeller last night but overall, he seemed to have done a solid job protecting the rim.

At this point, I do think that Ayton's actual defense is probably better than his defensive reputation which isn't too hard since it was pretty poor. I do like the trajectory of his defensive progression which is a good thing since I thought it would take a long while before he "gets it" but it does look like he's already starting to make better rotations, knowing how to use his body better (not biting on fakes) and just overall better defensive awareness in terms of what he role is.

That is exactly how I see it.

Ayton made some mistakes but he altered a lot of shots yesterday. He is getting better at help defense and he is reacting faster than last year.

Our defense was (and to some extent, still is) a bit of a shtshow with no one really knowing their role, the scheme was just ineffective, we didn't have good teachers on the court or on the sidelines and we just had so many holes to plug that it was next to impossible to play passable defense last few seasons. This season with guys like Baynes helping Ayton understand big man defense, Monty's coaching and defensive schemes and just having higher basketball IQ overall (Rubio, Bridges, Baynes, Saric etc), it's all really helped improve our team defense and Ayton's defense. It's still not where it needs to be but it's a solid step in the right direction for both the team and Ayton.

For those who think our defense is still crap, yeah it kind of is but I think people forget just how truly awful it was. We're 19th in defensive rating this season whereas we were 29th last season. A 10 spot improvement without really adding name defenders on the team. Ayton's only played 9 games so far so he can't take all the credit but he's played his part