Phx-Suns.Net

I like Ayton a lot, and I'm not passing judgment after 2 games played this year. I haven't given up on him or anything like that. But I'd absolutely trade him (along with other assets) for KAT if a deal presented itself. It's more about how I think KAT is a generational talent who has already shown superstar potential, and that Ayton is a nice player who more than likely won't be a superstar.

The Bobster wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 18, 2019 10:13 am

People act like Stoudemire was a finished product from day one, and he wasn't. It was year 3 before Amar'e reached his potential.

At the same stage Ayton already has a better shooting touch and is a much better rebounder. And he'll also most likely be a much better defender (have we all forgotten how weak Stoudemire's defense was?)

Amare was aggressive from day 1. That's the big difference and what we're missing. (And will probably never see from him so might as well get over it now.)

Ayton desperately needs to change his shot profile. Either 3s or free throws need to be added, ideally both.

Shabazz wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 18, 2019 1:27 pm

Ayton desperately needs to change his shot profile. Either 3s or free throws need to be added, ideally both.

Agreed 100%.

He’s got to decide what he wants to be. I would prefer ideally he decides to be a punisher and gets to the FT line and gets other teams in foul trouble. That will be his easiest and most unique path to dominance.

If he wants to be like every other big man in the league, he needs to then develop and start shooting 3s consistently. Living in the midrange ain’t gonna cut it either way.

specialsauce wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 18, 2019 1:40 pm

If he wants to be like every other big man in the league, he needs to then develop and start shooting 3s consistently. Living in the midrange ain’t gonna cut it either way.

He has played 2 games this year.

He also didn’t attempt a free throw in the preseason.

Mori Chu wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 18, 2019 1:49 pm

specialsauce wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 18, 2019 1:40 pm

If he wants to be like every other big man in the league, he needs to then develop and start shooting 3s consistently. Living in the midrange ain’t gonna cut it either way.

He has played 2 games this year.

He has? I had no idea. Thanks for the information.

If Ayton gets just a little more aggressive, the whole game opens up for the Suns. He doesn't have to dunk on every player in the NBA like Amare.

Every player needs to be coached and has some weak aspect to their game. Nash is on record saying that Don Nelson was the coach who got him to believe that he could and should shoot the ball and be a scorer. Nash still always preferred passing, but he learned to use his shooting skill.

Hopefully, Monty will be the coach that gets Ayton to believe that he can and should draw contact around the basket.

Ayton is never going to consistently be a physical big man. We might see it a couple of times a month and some people will get their hopes up, but it'll never be a night-to-night thing.

I just listened to the Simmons podcast with KG and Adam Sandler. Listening to KG talk about work ethic and a desire to dominate made me depressed because it's clear that Ayton doesn't have that mentality. To be fair, KG is a .01% guy in that regard, but damn, I wish Ayton had a fraction of the drive KG had (still has).

Flagrant Fowl wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 18, 2019 4:32 pm

Ayton is never going to consistently be a physical big man. We might see it a couple of times a month and some people will get their hopes up, but it'll never be a night-to-night thing.

I just listened to the Simmons podcast with KG and Adam Sandler. Listening to KG talk about work ethic and a desire to dominate made me depressed because it's clear that Ayton doesn't have that mentality. To be fair, KG is a .01% guy in that regard, but damn, I wish Ayton had a fraction of the drive KG had (still has).

Yeah. That is how you are wired. I don't think anyone can rewire Ayton to be a fraction of that. He might change himself, but it would a huge life event/crisis to change who he is. And being a 22 year old making 10M/year to play a game probably isn't the right environment to change who he is at his core.

Hey you guys thought Bender could grow nuts from thin air, now you’ve already given up (rightfully) on the same for DA?

specialsauce wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 18, 2019 5:25 pm

Hey you guys thought Bender could grow nuts from thin air, now you’ve already given up (rightfully) on the same for DA?

I don't think any of us currently claiming DA won't grow a pair were ever suggesting Bender could. Some might, but I know I didn't. I did hope that he could improve his confidence (you know, through actual player development strategies), but his lack of aggressiveness wasn't something I thought could change.