He's currently second in rebounds in the league. His five steals tonight really helped his averages lol
I'm not saying I don't want him shooting more, I'm saying I appreciate such Bigs that aren't upset about it when the shots don't come their way in the normal flow of the game. If he was great at creating his own shot and when doing so was able to shoot anywhere close to the % you listed, he would be one of the all time greats. That Ayton can convert at that rate when he's free is great as it opens things up for others as his defender has to stay home. In general, I prefer offense from outside in and defense from inside out. Ayton is huge, long and athletic. Him primarily focusing his energy on D and the boards (Big man stuff) & popping high percentage Js when open is pretty much ideal STOMP
Thybulle shot 39% from 3 last season and is shooting 39% from 3 this season. I'd prefer as many 39% 3s as teams care to allow Portland to shoot STOMP
Sometimes 3s go like that. But you gotta want to take'em when they're open. That shouldn't hurt Ayton's number of attempts at all.
Aytons's defense is much better than I expected. He and Sharpe have a knack for poking the ball on the air or out of the opposition's hands without fouling. Both Sharpe and Ayton have a smoothness to their shots which may translate to that part of their defense.
True! But none of those random facts from a single game have anything to do with what I was commenting on. I am more then happy if opposing teams choose to leave high percentage 3 point shooters open to pack the middle as over all that equates to winning hoops. STOMP
I agree. Other than Walker in limited minutes last night, Tisse and Scoot were the only 2 who had a - last night. The combo does not seem like a good idea. I like Thybulle but even though he plays tough D he still is not that effective as a SF. To me, he is a better guard defender than an SF defender, and his rebounding (as I predicted before the preseason ) is not as good as Sharpe's. Once everyone is healthy I would not start him. I would rather start Shae, Brogdon, or Camara at SF.
So far, I’m pleasantly surprised on the defense. And not a peep about the lowest FGA ever in his career. Seems genuinely happy in the post game interviews and honestly seems like like a genuine down to earth dude. Honestly, I’m loving it. I think that getting DA more opportunities to score will come eventually, but it isn’t a priority. Making sure our young guards are good enough to run an actually NBA offense is much more important. DA is doing well in the area we need him to excel in the most, and looks like he’s happy doing it, why change anything right now? Eventually though, having DA be more of a threat offensively will open up the game for Scoot, Ant, and Shae. DA can do a lot of good things well on offense. His jumper is as good as Aldridge’s imo. He can immediately get the ball and pretty quickly back someone down with a couple dribbles and get a jump hook off. He already is good in dump off situations. I think the eventually, he can get the ball within 15 feet and finish with a dunk, but improving his handle should not be a huge priority right now given all the other ways he can score. The guards are going to have to learn when to get him the ball in the right situations, and having DA is going to expand that part of their game. Scoot and Shae are finding him on dump offs already. When DA is suddenly on a smaller guy within six feet of the basket, throw him the ball. Shae is going to get a heavy dose of DA PnRs and PnPs with Scoot and Ant are out.
I think he and Scoot will develop into a very good duo, we saw a glimpse of that last night and I think DA sees that. Scoot will get him the ball enough and I think he'll be happy and play hard like he has so far. Like what I see at this time
The draft nerd in me is already imagining Scoot, Shae, and Buzelis taking turns making decisions on what to do coming off a DA pick. The over/under on points off dump offs a night if DA had Scoot/Shae/Buzelis is 9.5.
So everyone, only five games in, is Ayton earning his contract? Putting up 10/14 currently on 60% from the field and 100% from the line. I have no doubt his PPG will go up, possibly double of what it is now. He did not have a good game against Embiid, but few do. Suns didn't think he would ever have success against Jokic.
No, but right now, who cares? The players that we have the highest hopes for right now are young enough that his contract will be off the books by then. If he is a staple of the defense going forward, I’d love to bring him back for 5 years, $110m or something like that and bet on his offensive game expanding after that. He looks like he wants to be here, and that’s the most important thing right now imo.
