@BonesJones is an advocate for Ayton taking 3-pointers, saying it's necessary for Ayton to reach his potential since he can't create his own shots like a Giannis (who doesn't take 3-pointers). What say you? Initially it sounded bad, but 2023 should be a "find out what we have" and "what's the limit of Deandre Ayton" season to me. So I say, yes, why not, if he doesn't look bad doing it. I would make it up to Ayton. I don't want to hurt his confidence when he's such a high-percentage scorer near the hoop.
This is the season to try out new skills and figure out what our players can do to impact winning. Failing while trying should be encouraged. Ayton becoming a true floor spacer adds a skill that could complement our guards very well. So go for it! Chuck 4 or 5 if you want.
Scoot creates shots. Ayton has a good mid range. Scoot will kick or dump it to Ayton for plenty of attempts. I have no problem with Ayton shooting 3s when he's open.
Spread the ammo !! With Lillard in Milwaukee, there's about a dozen 3PA's to be shared with everyone else on the Blazers. We see Myles Turner launching 4-5 triples per contest in Indiana. There's no reason not to give DA a few cracks at toeing the line. It will open up offensive driving lanes for ... ummm... I dunno.... it will be a professional basketball player shooting three's.
His shot mechanics look pretty solid, so I could see him taking some threes to keep defenses honest and spaced when he finds himself outside the arc with the ball. That being said none of the options in the poll made sense to me. He would need to show the coaching staff that he can consistently hit open threes in non game situations before we could say yes he should take them in games.
I voted no because I don't think he's good enough at shooting them yet, he needs to develop that more in practice eventually and then yes can try them in games. Guys usually shoot about 80% or so in practice to be just an average ~35% shooter in games. Also I think he provides more value on pick and rolls or inside. I disagree that he can't really create offense so he should shoot 3's - I'd rather see the team feed him inside and get him moving near the rim. I'm not opposed to him shooting 3's eventually it's just he probably would bring more value and more improvements focusing on other areas first.
I don't think mandating that the guy should be taking at least two three point shots per game is something we have any business discussing. Obviously if he's making them in practice I would hope Chauncey would see if he could do that in games but if over time he shows he is not capable of making them when pressure is on then of course I wouldn't want him to keep trying. Overall I hope the guy concentrates on whatever makes him the most efficient weapon on offense and keeps him engaged on defense.
Wins aren't going to be the most important goal this season. I'd say let him know he can take them if he wants to.
The Olajuwon comparisons are kind of legit! I also see pre-bulked up Ewing in his game. It’ll be nice to have a proper center again!
The way I see it, eventually in the next decade, it’s going to come down to Scoot in the clutch. The drive and kick is going go be what a lot of games come down to. Finding the shooters that you can surround him with should be a priority.
One above-average skill for Scoot is deciding where to pass correctly at the very last moment, if he needs to. He also puts a lot of pressure on the hoop.
