Should Ayton be taking 2-3 three-pointers this season?

[blazerfan11]

@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.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Since i want to see him tried as a power forward, definitely yes. maybe more.

 

[illmatic99]

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.

 

[blazerfan11]

The first "Yes" would be "Yes , even if they look ugly. It's an improvement season after all."

 

[Everything Beagle]

I think everyone should get a green light to expand their skill set over the next two seasons.

 

[Phatguysrule]

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.

 

[blazerfan11]

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.

I think he'd feel unchained from being what he was in Phoenix, too. No more grumpy veterans.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

The first "Yes" would be "Yes , even if they look ugly. It's an improvement season after all."

Updated as requested.

 

[blazerfan11]

Updated as requested.

Thank you. Exceeded expectations, just like the Blazers will.

 

[Whyachi]

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.

 

[blazerkor]

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.

 

[blazerfan11]

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.

So if he makes all his 3-pointers in practice but throws up air-balls in games, you're OK with that?

 

[SharpesTriumph]

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.

 

[blazerkor]

So if he makes all his 3-pointers in practice but throws up air-balls in games, you're OK with that?

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.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Maybe he should enter the three point contest first?

 

[blazerfan11]

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.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Not sure but I am so excited to see some of this:

 

[Everything Beagle]

Not sure but I am so excited to see some of this:

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!

 

[BankTeller]

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.

 

[blazerfan11]

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.

 

[BigGameDamian]

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!

Should Auton pay 50 thousand to train with Olajuwon like Giannis did?

 

[Everything Beagle]

Should Auton pay 50 thousand to train with Olajuwon like Giannis did?

If it gives him a Dream Shake he could pay $5,000,000 and it'd be worth it.

 

[BankTeller]

Should Auton pay 50 thousand to train with Olajuwon like Giannis did?

Imo, not necessary. Unless you are Jokic or Embiid, a big-on-big post-up is such a low percentage shot these days. DA is already good enough on his post ups that he will be reliable when he has a mismatch. But I don’t want to just dump it down to him more than 2-3 times a quarter.

Although if he wanted to work with Dream, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.

 

[blazerfan11]

Imo, not necessary. Unless you are Jokic or Embiid, a big-on-big post-up is such a low percentage shot these days. DA is already good enough on his post ups that he will be reliable when he has a mismatch. But I don’t want to just dump it down to him more than 2-3 times a quarter.

Although if he wanted to work with Dream, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Ayton's got great mobility so I'd like to see them get it him on the move as much as possible.

 

[BonesJones]

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.

He's definitely more valuable as a role big right now. If Ayton's going to take a jump though, I wonder where it comes from because it's going to be hard for him to take an offensive leap if he's playing the same way offensively and just getting fed within the flow of the offense.

In todays' NBA, I can't think of a single-star level player that can't shoot 3s or consistently create their own shot from the perimeter unless they're an absolutely ELITE defender like Gobert, Bam, JJJ... But those guys are fringe stars at best and only because of their elite defense.

Ayton's quick, seems like he can handle a bit for his size, and has touch. If he could hit 3s, then he'd also be able to attack closeouts and dribble drive which he's shown a few flashes of. I think that's necessary for him to take that leap to stardom. Unfortunately his shot is so flat that it makes it hard for him to consistently hit from distance.

 

[BonesJones]

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.

Exactly. Having that green light might be what he needs. Confidence is huge. This season should be all about maximizing our youth for the future and part of that would be giving DA the freedom to shoot 3s and attack off the dribble to see if he has the potential to be more than just a big that gets fed by others 15-feet and in.

 

[BonesJones]

Since i want to see him tried as a power forward, definitely yes. maybe more.

Having Rob Will makes me want to see Ayton shoot 3s even more. It makes those guys fit next to each other less clunky on offense if one of them can space the court out to 3. I still don't know about the pairing because I think they're both best defending the rim as switchable bigs and I don't want Ayton hovering around the arc permanently, but it would make it easier on the guards spacing wise.

 

[BankTeller]

Exactly. Having that green light might be what he needs. Confidence is huge. This season should be all about maximizing our youth for the future and part of that would be giving DA the freedom to shoot 3s and attack off the dribble to see if he has the potential to be more than just a big that gets fed by others 15-feet and in.

Do you think Sarr will be as impactful as Mobley off the bat? My dream right now is to have Sarr as the backup 4 and maybe starting 5 in 4-5 years.

I agree, also, Ayton’s shot is so flat, I don’t know if I’m confident he’ll be a decent shooter from there. He looks great on long 2s though, it’s weird.

 

[BonesJones]

Do you think Sarr will be as impactful as Mobley off the bat? My dream right now is to have Sarr as the backup 4 and maybe starting 5 in 4-5 years.

I agree, also, Ayton’s shot is so flat, I don’t know if I’m confident he’ll be a decent shooter from there. He looks great on long 2s though, it’s weird.

I love Sarr. Has everything you'd want in a modern big. Hard to be as good defensively as rookie Mobley though

 

[kjironman1]

@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).

First thing I would say is Giannis does take three pointers. To the tune to about 3 a game and has been over 4 a game in 2019-20. He just doesn't make more than 30% of them.
Ayton better work on them plenty before trying them in a game. To this point it's been nonexistent. His entire career he is 21-80.
25% isn't gonna cut it.