Re: Ayton haters' apology thread
Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2021 7:55 pm
Bill Simmons just made a case for Deandre Ayton as a top 20 player in the league
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Is there anyone in NBA media more reactionary than Bill Simmons these days?
Haha, Russillo definitely pumped the breaks on him. I am not putting Ayton top 20, but it is cool that our team is getting the over reactions now.Flagrant Fowl wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 8:06 pmIs there anyone in NBA media more reactionary than Bill Simmons these days?
He'll say something like that about Ayton and then if he has two sub-par games in a row he'll say something like, "I had him in the top 20 for that week."
If he's better than Gobert, and Gobert is considered top 15 (All-NBA), then what does that make him?Split T wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 8:09 pmHaha, Russillo definitely pumped the breaks on him. I am not putting Ayton top 20, but it is cool that our team is getting the over reactions now.Flagrant Fowl wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 8:06 pmIs there anyone in NBA media more reactionary than Bill Simmons these days?
He'll say something like that about Ayton and then if he has two sub-par games in a row he'll say something like, "I had him in the top 20 for that week."
Gravity in today's game is the equivalent of a classic double team in the post in the 1990s game, when this was the measure of a superstar.Cap wrote: ↑Wed Jun 23, 2021 9:03 am“Give him the ball in the post, get out of the way, and let him do his Dream Shake” is never going to be Ayton’s game. It doesn’t have to be.virtual9mm wrote: ↑Wed Jun 23, 2021 8:58 amI was really afraid that Ayton would make me look like an idiot for urging patience. There were times where I almost gave up on him. Glad that I never quite did.
Let's be clear. I think he'll have stretches where he coasts through the regular season, playing down to the level of the competition and such. Let's just remember to have patience even during these times.
Having watched him develop, I think that the right comparison is a mix of Shawn Marion and Patrick Ewing. He doesn't have the offensive versatility of David Robinson or the go-to-move of Hakeem quite yet. But I can see him developing this over the next couple of years. Or maybe not. But a Marion-Ewing hybrid has been something to behold.
Down the stretch last night there were several times that the Clippers doubled him when he didn’t even have the ball. A player who can generate that kind of gravity without even needing the ball is extremely valuable.
Hell of a concept - who trades Ayton for Gobert right now?JeremyG wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 8:41 pmIf he's better than Gobert, and Gobert is considered top 15 (All-NBA), then what does that make him?Split T wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 8:09 pmHaha, Russillo definitely pumped the breaks on him. I am not putting Ayton top 20, but it is cool that our team is getting the over reactions now.Flagrant Fowl wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 8:06 pmIs there anyone in NBA media more reactionary than Bill Simmons these days?
He'll say something like that about Ayton and then if he has two sub-par games in a row he'll say something like, "I had him in the top 20 for that week."
He's certainly playing at an All-Star level, so that would make him at least top 24.
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Once Ayton does what he has been doing for an entire season, he will be top 30 (best player on an average team). If he can up his numbers while maintaining nutritional value of these numbers (vs. empty calories), only then will he ge a top 15 player. Up them to 25 and 15 with a few blocks and assists while playing all nba defense and doing everything else he has been doing and the David Robinson comp gets reasonable as an all time center.JeremyG wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 8:41 pmIf he's better than Gobert, and Gobert is considered top 15 (All-NBA), then what does that make him?Split T wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 8:09 pmHaha, Russillo definitely pumped the breaks on him. I am not putting Ayton top 20, but it is cool that our team is getting the over reactions now.Flagrant Fowl wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 8:06 pmIs there anyone in NBA media more reactionary than Bill Simmons these days?
He'll say something like that about Ayton and then if he has two sub-par games in a row he'll say something like, "I had him in the top 20 for that week."
He's certainly playing at an All-Star level, so that would make him at least top 24.
Would you trade a potential Robinson for a Mutombo? Especially in the pace and space era.3rdside wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 9:38 pmHell of a concept - who trades Ayton for Gobert right now?JeremyG wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 8:41 pmIf he's better than Gobert, and Gobert is considered top 15 (All-NBA), then what does that make him?Split T wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 8:09 pmHaha, Russillo definitely pumped the breaks on him. I am not putting Ayton top 20, but it is cool that our team is getting the over reactions now.Flagrant Fowl wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 8:06 pmIs there anyone in NBA media more reactionary than Bill Simmons these days?
He'll say something like that about Ayton and then if he has two sub-par games in a row he'll say something like, "I had him in the top 20 for that week."
He's certainly playing at an All-Star level, so that would make him at least top 24.
No one I'd guess, or at least no one should.
Man making Ewing the comparison seems a little unfair - Ewing was a low block pounder with zero ability to defend guards.virtual9mm wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 9:42 pmWould you trade a potential Robinson for a Mutombo? Especially in the pace and space era.3rdside wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 9:38 pmHell of a concept - who trades Ayton for Gobert right now?JeremyG wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 8:41 pmIf he's better than Gobert, and Gobert is considered top 15 (All-NBA), then what does that make him?Split T wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 8:09 pmHaha, Russillo definitely pumped the breaks on him. I am not putting Ayton top 20, but it is cool that our team is getting the over reactions now.Flagrant Fowl wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 8:06 pm
Is there anyone in NBA media more reactionary than Bill Simmons these days?
He'll say something like that about Ayton and then if he has two sub-par games in a row he'll say something like, "I had him in the top 20 for that week."
He's certainly playing at an All-Star level, so that would make him at least top 24.
No one I'd guess, or at least no one should.
I think the right comp for Ayton is a Ewing with the bounciness and ability to defend out further of a Marion. He's not a Robinson yet but perhaps he is the only true center to be truly playable in this era.
The All Star public selections are popularity contests. The Suns are being introduced to America and America likes them. If they win a Finals, they will become the next bandwagon team. Gobert’s from France. Ayton is cool and from the Bahama’s, went to HS in Phoenix, College in Tucson and now plays for the Suns. He’s a Valley boy and cute as a button. People will vote for that.