This is yet another red flag. I live in Phoenix & have watched quite a bit of Ayton. Even in college, I didn't see him being worth the #1 pick... but I agree it's worth the risk for the cost of Nurk + Nas
what did he do now? i know he was suspended for taking a banned substance early in his career, but thought he grew past that. He seemed like a mature young man leading that Bahamas team in FIBA
That is the thing with Ayton. In my opinion, when he is "the man," he is really very good. With the Bahama's, he was a featured player. With the Suns he is either the fourth or fifth option on offense. Ayton simply disengages if he is not a part of the offense. In Portland, with Scoot and Sharpe Ayton should be a featured player. He is very good down low. But with Booker, Paul, Bridges, Cam Johnson and then KD, Ayton was an offensive after thought. I have very little doubt Ayton and Scoot would be very successful. Ayton has a nice jump shot too, not just dunks and lay ups. Booker has just moved on from Ayton. It is understandable. But the kid, in the right environment can be incredible. Is Chauncey the right coach? I think he is more of a players coach than disciplinarian. He could be ZBo in Memphis. Focused and all star level.
" I have very little doubt Ayton and Scoot would be very successful. " Me too. We saw Scoot take on an athletic Houston team in summer league and be very effective in the paint, even when his shoulder was being hit by Amen Thompson and hand by Tari Eason as he put in a reverse layup. If the Blazers could combine Scoot, who puts an enormous amount of pressure on the hoop by himself with his strength and athleticism, with a skilled big man with that hands that Ayton possesses, that's going to be a big problem for opposing teams.
I’m starting to come around to the same thoughts. I had to check his stats, it’s shocking he shot only 13 shots a game. Just by getting an additional 4-5 shots a game at 55%fg, he would already be close to the 20pt mark without the free throws. Between a few dumpoffs, tips, rolling and popping, maybe some fast break opportunities, he should get there. Involving him in the offense more might be all that’s needed to encourage him to do all of the other things. I never got to see David Robinson play outside of highlight tapes, but Ayton has shown me the ability to do pretty much everything Robinson does (on offense). I was also surprised he averages 10rpg because he never feels like has that many. Given his physical gifts, he should be in the 12+rpg category.
In CP3-ball, he is going to automatically make everyone look good. Playing CP3-ball already made him a 17-18ppg kind of player. The problem is Ayton came in thinking he was going to be a generation offensive talent but was relegated to being a more talented Deandre Jordan, when they’re not the same kind of player. CP3 makes all the decisions, and there have been players who played with him that have said if CP doesn’t think you’re making the shot, he won’t pass it to you. Ayton’s season with the most fga was just under 15, that was his second year. Last year, it was 13. Very rarely is a #1 pick going to only get that many attempts and be happy. This is especially true looking at the Olympic tape when he is the guy. I hope to see Scoot find Ayton like CP3 did. As you’ve mentioned, teams are going to have to defend a drop off or kickout with Ayton as a threat to shoot or dunk the ball. Ayton shoots the ball surprisingly well. Someone’s going to need to compare Ayton vs Aldridge on long 2s, but he looks like he could shoot those as often as Aldridge and have similar success. The Olympic clip showed me when he makes his moves decisively on a face-up, he can get to the rim and finish easily. It would really open everything up to have a big man to can stretch the floor and can finish that well.
I have heard of these types of stories. I had a friend who paid a lot of money for his kid to go to some special "rehab" while in HS. Having said that I don't think Ayton's situation is anywhere close to his. Granted it would be best if his addiction was basketball and spending all his time in a gym, but I would be more concerned if he was out in clubs every night instead where he could get into trouble, than being in his room on the road playing video games.
isn't there an unwritten rule that when I thread about any specific player reaches 10 pages, he won't be a Blazer? Melo is the only exception and that was years after the 10th page
I sifted through Ayton’s stats within the last two years and clipped the games with 16 or more FGA, and highlighted the notable bad games: Also worth keeping in mind, Ayton also had 5 games with 4-6 FGA, 8 games with 7-8 FGA, 8 games with 9-10 FGA, totaling 21 games with 10 FGA or less. Also worth keeping in mind, Ayton also had 4 games with 4-6 FGA, 2 games with 7-8 FGA, 11 games with 9-10 FGA, totaling 16 games with 10 FGA or less. In a lot of ways, I’m now more high on Ayton as a reclamation project than I ever was on Simmons. Simmons obviously would’ve been the better player, but there is no obvious solution to helping Simmons with whatever in his head that is keeping him from shooting the ball. With Ayton, the solution is more obvious, let’s just give him the ball more and see where it leads. Just with a few more touches a game, he is suddenly a 20-22ppg game guy. Defensively, I’m not sure, but maybe keeping him engaged on offense leads him to be more engaged on defense.
Are you saying there is a blurry picture of Ayton with a “For Sale” sign on him out there? @THE HCP usually posts his quality photos. Must be holding out on us.
