Has Scoot (and Deni) "unlocked" Ayton?

Not sustainable.

Hopefully we will see this Ayton more frequently - but this is just a blip. Enjoy it while it lasts

 

This.
DA is a good dude, but he doesn't have the mentality to stay engaged full-time and give full effort

 

One of the many questions that will be answered as the season goes on.

can the Blazers win 7 out of 8 games , immediately after losing 5 straight, including 4 straight at home? How likely was that?

 

16 assists last night from Scoot and Simons. Many of those going to Ayton.

Against the Suns, the Blazers scored 66 points in the painted area while the Suns managed just 32.

 

Here's hoping some other GM gets the idea that it is before the trade deadline!

But let's not forget what team Ayton was playing against - that's got to be an extra motivating factor.

 

I had to watch the Suns’ broadcast last night down here in AZ. Their broadcast team made a crack about it only being a matter of time before Ayton would check out again. That’s certainly the experience that they had with him in Phoenix, but I wonder if his situation there as the young guy being pushed by older vets who were always going to be the stars, wasn’t a part of the problem. It seems like Ayton feels more connected to a younger team that’s filled with guys on the way up. Winning certainly helps with the vibes, but it just seems like DA is happy with his situation here. I hope it lasts.

 

I’m kind of liking Ayton, he and Clingan would be nice combination. Is it sustainable not sure but losing him will definitely hurt in the offensive end. Crazy to think he’s still young.

 

Is sustainable.
As long as he's being thrown 4-5 lobs/game, he'll stay engaged.

 

Btw guessing we could trade Ayton to Lakers for Finely and Rui maybe their last 1st rounder if we really wanted to dump Ayton.

Luka, Bron, Ayton isn’t bad

 

And the Blazers would want to do that because…?

Did someone repeal “fuck the Lakers”?

 

It seems that DA and Deni are close off the court. I suspect that if your "best friend" on the team is a high motor guy that looks for you... there is a good chance you stay engaged. Add the fact that the Blazers finally run some plays off the ball to free DA - and maybe this is sustainable. That would be great.

 

only reason would be to dump Ayton and get that 1st round pick from Lakers. Not saying I’d do that deal but from all reports Ayton isnt drawing much interest. That said I don’t think I’d do the deal I’m not as convinced that Clingan is a starting center at least not for the next 3-4 years.

I also think Aytons offensive presence is making Scoot better.

 

As long as he keeps rolling following high pick & rolls and rim running on the breaks he'll continue to generate opportunities for himself. That won't happen every night as some teams will make him more of a focus on the P&Rs but he's a better athlete then most 5s so he's got an advantage when he's in motion. This is the traditional big man game he's excelling at rather then the top of the key jump shooter he's mostly been since arriving in the league... maybe he's learned the value of this in part from Clingan?

STOMP

 

Out of curiosity what kind of contract do you think Ayton will get after he expires next year?

 

POR is keeping DA. It’s about letting him do what he does best and that is scoring from mids and rebounds. He will never be a rim dominant guy and you deal with it.

 

Whilst reading others’ comments, I do wonder what it would be like if Grant were traded and Ayton became more of the primary offense. While I am not high on him as a player, if he does buy in and plays more like we all think he can, it could work out.

 

I still maintain he is one of the best overall centers we have had in a while. They all have had flaws and DA has some too. But having a center who has offensive skills in the paint, and rebounds well, does not really motivate me to trade him. We have gone through too many centers for me to be unhappy with him. Here is a list of them. (although I do not agree with their order-especially Nurk at 5)

https://www.ranker.com/list/best-portland-trail-blazers-centers/ranker-nba

Like with all players we just need to have the right combination of offense and defense on the floor together because it is not that easy finding five 2-way starters)
With Clingan on the court, we need two good offensive players at forward IMO. With Ayton on the court, we can be more flexible. Deni and Camara seem to be a good fit next to him.

 

I don't see any reason to move off of Ayton.