Deandre Ayton appreciation post

[JDC]

Chauncey's offense using Ayton is pathetic. Ayton is supposed to go "set up" and stand and wait for the ball.

In Phoenix, Ayton started a lot of scoring possessions near or outside the 3-point line.

The first possession, I thought was NBA basketball 101. Not for a Billups offense.

Ayton starts outside the 3-point line, rolls to the hoop, gets the ball, and passes it to a cutter. Yes, that's pretty damn effective.

In the second possession in the video, Ayton again starts outside the 3-point line and CUTS to the hoop. What a novel idea!

In the third possession, Ayton again starts outside the 3-point line and runs to the hoop and gets an ALLEY OOP pass. Didn't Chauncey promise this kind of offense? Where the hell is it?

That Ayton isn't not constantly used as a cutter threat, starting from the 3-point line, by the Blazers makes me want to scream at Billups.

For Billups, on offense, Ayton is only the cleanup man for other players' misses. Chauncey has no inclination to relieve us from Jerami Grant's atrocious chucking.

I agree that DA could be better used, but I will say a lot of these plays are result of the attention the guards are getting.

Without Ant, we are not going to see many sequences like you see in that first clip.

 

[andalusian]

DA is a mobile 7 footer. He does not have to be in the paint at the beginning of a possession for him to score. He can be out by the 3-point line.
The reason Ayton isn't getting shots is because Billups offense doesn't care about getting him shots.

I agree that Chauncy really needs to bring an offensive coordinator for lack of a better term, but the reality is that we have a rookie, 19 y/o PG whose advantage in the half court is to make plays by attacking the rim given his athletic ability - and read the situation once the defense collapses from there. The opposing teams packing the paint really hinders him and thus limits his effectiveness in the half court.

I also do not think that you want DA starting handling the ball from out of the 3 point line, he is not a good enough ball handler for that. His comfort zone should be close to the basket and extended mid-range. That means he needs to get the ball, hopefully on the move, within the paint.

That's the place you want to feed him for maximum efficiency. That requires spacing.

 

[blazerfan11]

I agree that Chauncy really needs to bring an offensive coordinator for lack of a better term, but the reality is that we have a rookie, 19 y/o PG whose advantage in the half court is to make plays by attacking the rim given his athletic ability - and read the situation once the defense collapses from there. The opposing teams packing the paint really hinders him and thus limits his effectiveness in the half court.

I also do not think that you want DA starting handling the ball from out of the 3 point line, he is not a good enough ball handler for that. His comfort zone should be close to the basket and extended mid-range. That means he needs to get the ball, hopefully on the move, within the paint.

That's the place you want to feed him for maximum efficiency. That requires spacing.

Yes, you get Ayton the ball as close to the basket as possible and have him dribble as little as possible.

But, to make that happen, Ayton should Not be standing still, and he should start moving toward the hoop from the 3-point line or just outside the 3-point line. He doesn't need to score either. If the defense comes to meet him, there should be a cutter to the hoop.

We are not seeing that with the Trail Blazers.

Ayton is a big target. Everyone on the team should be able to hit him with a pass.

 

[Phatguysrule]

I agree that Chauncy really needs to bring an offensive coordinator for lack of a better term, but the reality is that we have a rookie, 19 y/o PG whose advantage in the half court is to make plays by attacking the rim given his athletic ability - and read the situation once the defense collapses from there. The opposing teams packing the paint really hinders him and thus limits his effectiveness in the half court.

I also do not think that you want DA starting from out of the 3 point line, he is not a good enough ball handler for that. His comfort zone should be close to the basket and extended mid-range. That means he needs to get the ball, hopefully on the move, within the paint.

That's the place you want to feed him for maximum efficiency. That requires spacing.

Motion offense, with cuts. Ayton should be cutting to the basket. He's not outside the 3pt line as a threat, he's out there because that leaves one less person in the paint.

At the 3pt line he is 1 step away from his mid range money. Teams will have to honor that.

 

[andalusian]

But, to make that happen, Ayton should Not be standing still, and he should start moving toward the hoop from the 3-point line or just outside the 3-point line. He doesn't need to score either. If the defense comes to meet him, there should be a cutter to the hoop.

We are not seeing that with the Trail Blazers.

Ayton is a big target. Everyone on the team should be able to hit him with a pass.

I don't think it matters where he starts his movement as long as it is movement. To be able to move within the paint, spacing is required. It is required both for the guards to penetrate and for DA to move. That's why 3P shooting is important in the modern NBA.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

SHAME HIS HANDS ARE MADE OF BUTTER

 

[blazerfan11]

SHAME HIS HANDS ARE MADE OF BUTTER

He shot 70% in the conference finals so that's some pretty good butter.

 

[Natebishop3]

5 steals tonight..... what?

 

[Wizard Mentor]

5 steals tonight..... what?

5 steals on just 2 TOs!

 

[Natebishop3]

Suns fans are probably looking at Toumani and Ayton right now and thinking….. fuck.

 

[blazerfan11]

5 steals tonight..... what?

His hands are made of butter. That's why. I guess.

 

[blazerfan11]

5 steals on just 2 TOs!

How does a center get 5 steals?

 

[Wizard Mentor]

How does a center get 5 steals?

Just call him Domin-Ayton!

 

[LayneStaley]

He does have butter fingers and I do like him better than Nurk by about 1000x.

 

[Natebishop3]

He's currently second in rebounds in the league. His five steals tonight really helped his averages lol

 

[Duckhook]

How does a center get 5 steals?

Interestingly, Dame's career high in steals is 4... which he did twice.

 

[STOMP]

Personally I'd like to see him ask for more shots. A guy who shot 65% out to the free throw line and beyond, just 2 years ago, should be taking more shots.

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

 

[STOMP]

Big problem when both Tisse and Scoot are out there. Teams don't care about them off ball and are loading up damn near past the nail to muck things up in the middle.

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

 

[blazerfan11]

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

Thybulle was zero percent tonight. 0-3.

Ayton shot 8-13. That's 61.5 %.

 

[Phatguysrule]

Thybulle was zero percent tonight. 0-3.

Ayton shot 8-13. That's 61.5 %.

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.

 

[blazerfan11]

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.

 

[STOMP]

Thybulle was zero percent tonight. 0-3.

Ayton shot 8-13. That's 61.5 %.

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

 

[Pinwheel1]

Big problem when both Tisse and Scoot are out there. Teams don't care about them off-ball and are loading up damn near past the nail to muck things up in the middle.

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.

 

[BankTeller]

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.

 

[Blazinaway]

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

 

[Natebishop3]

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

Both Scoot and Shae seem to be good at feeding DA. it’s a good development.

 

[BankTeller]

Both Scoot and Shae seem to be good at feeding DA. it’s a good development.

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.

 

[BIG Q]

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.

 

[BankTeller]

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.

 

[Natebishop3]

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.

He’s playing at my expectations. Maybe a little better. That’s all I care about.