I know this is the fan in me speaking and not the rational human being, but Ayton cost this team the playoffs last year with his stupidity. He should feel some level of responsibility to actually bust his ass in the gym and on the floor to atone for that and help make sure we take a leap.
He didn't do it in the bubble, why would his mentality change now?
My big fear is that playing with Paul exposes Ayton as a lightweight and hurts his value. If Ayton can't improve or regresses, his value takes a hit. If he shuts down mentally or realizes this is way harder than he thought and is willing to work, we're pretty screwed. You can only talk the talk for so long. He's playing with Chris Paul now so the pressure is on.
These two games also left me a touch concerned about our big man depth. It's not just if Ayton is ineffective. What if he gets in foul trouble? I think Saric is a good backup C against other backups, but I don't necessarily think he'll work against some of the bruisers at the C position. There's no Baynes to cover for us any more.
Taj Gibson maybe? He's a little small to match up against the Jokic's of the league, but he'll battle at least.
I think Split and Shel have been suggesting Taj for a while now. I assume Jones is expecting us to be able to battle with anyone with the current roster, based on how much he and Monty talk about having t match up with 2 bigs a lot in the West. Not sure I see it though.
I know this is the fan in me speaking and not the rational human being, but Ayton cost this team the playoffs last year with his stupidity. He should feel some level of responsibility to actually bust his ass in the gym and on the floor to atone for that and help make sure we take a leap.
He didn't do it in the bubble, why would his mentality change now?
My big fear is that playing with Paul exposes Ayton as a lightweight and hurts his value. If Ayton can't improve or regresses, his value takes a hit. If he shuts down mentally or realizes this is way harder than he thought and is willing to work, we're pretty screwed. You can only talk the talk for so long. He's playing with Chris Paul now so the pressure is on.
That honestly means nothing. I don't care how old a guy is, you're either a basketball player or you're not. You either care or you don't. Is Dragan Bender any better because he's older? Or Archie Goodwin? Or Marquese Chriss? Maybe Chriss has learned to stick in the league, but did he become a high IQ/instinctive basketball player with a motor? I've said it before, you can't coach "want". And Paul barking at DA for a year isn't going to light some fire that probably isn't there.
There are some skills that develop with age, but some don’t. I’m not giving up on Ayton. As is, he’s still a good basketball player. I don’t think he has what it takes to ever be a star though. Maybe he can be like a Nik Vucevic with better defense. That’s my hope now.
There are some skills that develop with age, but some don’t. I’m not giving up on Ayton. As is, he’s still a good basketball player. I don’t think he has what it takes to ever be a star though. Maybe he can be like a Nik Vucevic with better defense. That’s my hope now.
Ayton’s balls could hang as little ornaments on Vucevic’s balls. I can’t think of a softer big man offensively in the league.
There are some skills that develop with age, but some don’t. I’m not giving up on Ayton. As is, he’s still a good basketball player. I don’t think he has what it takes to ever be a star though. Maybe he can be like a Nik Vucevic with better defense. That’s my hope now.
Ayton’s balls could hang as little ornaments on Vucevic’s balls. I can’t think of a softer big man offensively in the league.
Yikes
"When we all think alike, nobody is thinking" - Walter Lippmann "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them." ~ Frederick Douglass
“I know he’s gonna be on my tail,” Ayton said before the exhibition season. “Me and Book need that. This team needs that. I’m a dude who is very amped up and just wanting to destroy everything. But having someone who can channel that is amazing.”
Several good responses to my comment about Ayton being only 22. My response is:
Yeah, sure, there are other guys who are <= 22 who are doing great. And sure, there are guys over 22 who suck. Of course. Point is that players get better as they get older, and specifically, it seems like a lot of what's wrong with Ayton feels like immaturity, exactly the kind of stuff that would improve with age and experience. Not saying it is certain that he'll become a superstar, just that there is plenty of reason to give him some time and see how he matures.
Let's just say you're on the right track.
