All Things Ayton

[Superbone]

I want to like the guy. But then he says shit like this.

Seriously. If he was just humble and said stuff like I know I need to learn to be more aggressive and draw more fouls but instead he gives us this shit. Him thinking he's maybe too aggressive is laughable. It's like he doesn't get that some of us have been watching basketball for almost 3 of his lifetimes and we know what aggressive basketball looks like. In his mind, his aggressiveness is equal to Embiid's. It's crazy really.

[Kryptonic]

Funny how he says this crap now after he got his pay day... Still SMH and can't believe he said that. We sure this isn't a deepfake?

[SunsSince92]

I want to like the guy. But then he says shit like this.

Seriously. If he was just humble and said stuff like I know I need to learn to be more aggressive and draw more fouls but instead he gives us this shit. Him thinking he's maybe too aggressive is laughable. It's like he doesn't get that some of us have been watching basketball for almost 3 of his lifetimes and we know what aggressive basketball looks like. In his mind, his aggressiveness is equal to Embiid's. It's crazy really.

This.

He thinks he's Embiid but often plays like Channing Frye without the consistent 3 point shooting.

[Mori Chu]

He thinks he's Embiid but often plays like Channing Frye without the consistent 3 point shooting.

When I think about Ayton I am reminded of the days of Boris Diaw. We just wanted him to go up strong, to dunk, to draw contact. But he'd do that BS where he'd drive to the basket, have an open layup, and just pass it out. That was just what he was. Ayton's game isn't like Diaw's in general, but that lack of aggression, the desire to avoid contact, they both have that. Boris never did change; that was just who he was. I don't think Ayton will ever be a guy who seeks out contact and draws a bunch of fouls. He just doesn't want to do that.

You can still be a very good NBA player without plowing into defenders and drawing contact, but it would rely on him playing great defense and surgical offense. His defense is solid but has regressed a tad from last year. And his offense is often confused, often misreads where the defenders are, how open he is, etc. And he's got those stone hands where he drops the ball way too many times.

I think if I could change just one thing about Ayton, it'd be those hands. Keep your darn hands up, look for the pass, and catch it. Stop bobbling the ball, stop letting passes bounce off you. He gets a few turnovers every game that way. It always makes me groan every time it happens.

[SunsSince92]

He thinks he's Embiid but often plays like Channing Frye without the consistent 3 point shooting.

When I think about Ayton I am reminded of the days of Boris Diaw. We just wanted him to go up strong, to dunk, to draw contact. But he'd do that BS where he'd drive to the basket, have an open layup, and just pass it out. That was just what he was. Ayton's game isn't like Diaw's in general, but that lack of aggression, the desire to avoid contact, they both have that. Boris never did change; that was just who he was. I don't think Ayton will ever be a guy who seeks out contact and draws a bunch of fouls. He just doesn't want to do that.

You can still be a very good NBA player without plowing into defenders and drawing contact, but it would rely on him playing great defense and surgical offense. His defense is solid but has regressed a tad from last year. And his offense is often confused, often misreads where the defenders are, how open he is, etc. And he's got those stone hands where he drops the ball way too many times.

I think if I could change just one thing about Ayton, it'd be those hands. Keep your darn hands up, look for the pass, and catch it. Stop bobbling the ball, stop letting passes bounce off you. He gets a few turnovers every game that way. It always makes me groan every time it happens.

Spot on! I couldn't agree more. He's more of a finesse 5 that plays good but not great D (this year).

As you say the hands are infuriating but what really irks me is his lack of competitive fire. He just seems to go through the motions, makes the odd pose when he tips a ball in (when he should be doing it after posterizing defenders) and generally seems as though he couldn't care less.

[bajanguy008]

Haven't really been following this thread but Hold on.....

"By Island standards ?!?"

What's going on here
Smh lol

[TOO]

People often stereotype islanders as carefree and chill folk. Which falls much more inline with how Ayton acts/plays.

But hey man, you're tough too.

[In2ition]

Yeah, I didn't get that either.