I'm puzzled by that conclusion. Split that list in half, and I think the bottom half is superior to the top half. That implies that FT rate is one of the least important stats for modern centers.
1. Defense 2. Rebounding Those are the top two areas where Ayton can help the team. He's been doing well there, especially with a more-complete roster. I don't understand looking at his free-throw rate and fixating on that, which some people are doing.
I don’t buy this shit. People slap the fuck out of him and the refs don’t call it. He’s in the paint constantly.
This post on this Jordan Poole video is hilarious: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Czoy...MsFgeSYRhzxr5kgBGjTTv-r5Po1KlpkqwWdtj5SNNJ970 Deandre Ayton is when you’re not confident enough for your talent level. Jordan Poole is when you’re too confident for your talent level.
I'd like to see all of those plays where people slap at him from some different angles. It can be hard to see all the slap fouls that happen.
Also, because when he goes up strong the refs don't call the constant contact DA does the right thing and then takes hooks and fadeaways to avoid the contact. There are plenty of no calls that I've seen every game that should have been put DA at the line but at some point he has to do the smart thing at least most of the time. Between the way they call the game for Ayton in the paint and Shaedon it's obvious that the refs see us as a rebuilding team that doesn't matter and therefore they don't have to pay attention when we have the ball. I'm not saying the refs do this on purpose it just happens naturally because our games aren't seen as competitive and therefore even the refs are checked out. On the flip side the games we play do matter to the record of teams vying for the playoffs so when they have the ball the refs are more checked in.
If anything, it kind of makes sense why his FT rate is that low. From what I’ve seen, all of DA’s decisions with his touches have been quick and/or deliberate. When he catches the ball on the elbow, it’s almost always a quick jumper that may take one or two jab steps, and he makes those on the regular. When he gets the ball on the block against a smaller guy, it’s 1-3 back down dribbles and throwing up a quick jump hook. When he gets a board or steal, he looks ahead or the outlet (the assist for the Shae and-1 off a steal comes to mind off the top of my head). A few of his other buckets come off hustle plays. I’m very happy with what I’ve seen so far from DA. Not taking up a lot of clock, still being a threat, and doing all the things PHX asked of him.
Regarding DA’s FT rate, I would say that if this team really wanted to get DA more FTs, they should actively seek out mismatches in the post. If the team found a way to get DA 2 post touches per quarter with a smaller guy on him, I’m betting that he would convert on over half of them and get fouled on a lot of the occasions that he doesn’t make the basket. The problem is, the team isn’t good enough shooting the ball yet. When Ant and Brogdon come back and guys like Thybulle and Walker continue to improve their shooting, this is something I’d like for the team to implement. No gripe with his FT rate for me, BUT giving DA more opportunities to get us free points with the clock stopped would help this team greatly. I really don’t even think there is much effort into tweaking the game plan a little bit to incorporate DA more so he can average 20ppg.
Seek out mismatches so he can shoot a fade away Melo jumper or a fade away hook? He has to take the ball strong against mismatches to get fouled and convert at the clip he should.
Yeah, is that Mays on the 1st one. didn't get close enough to him to actually use the screen, not Ayton's fault. Set a pick for Grant, which the defender went under, which helped create space for an open jump shot from Grant. If he tries to really set either pick, he likely gets called for a moving screen. The guy sets poor picks, don't wanna defend him generally, but while the optics are amusing, don't really think this is entirely on him.
