Suns 2020-21 Media Day/Training Camp

[JeremyG]

No one compared him to Bennett. Indy simply asked what former #1 picks didn’t get a max extension. Bennett and Fultz are the two.

Also no one is saying we shouldn’t keep Ayton, just that maybe we shouldn’t just jump to max him as soon as we can.

I’m not sure why we can’t have high expectations for him. Just because we’re not perfectly happy with everything he’s done, doesn’t mean we’re haters.

This. I want him to be a player every NBA fan knows as a clear max player BEFORE we are paying him a max deal. That isn't hating on him.

A lot of NBA fans laughed when we gave Booker a max extension.

[Split T]

No one compared him to Bennett. Indy simply asked what former #1 picks didn’t get a max extension. Bennett and Fultz are the two.

Also no one is saying we shouldn’t keep Ayton, just that maybe we shouldn’t just jump to max him as soon as we can.

I’m not sure why we can’t have high expectations for him. Just because we’re not perfectly happy with everything he’s done, doesn’t mean we’re haters.

This. I want him to be a player every NBA fan knows as a clear max player BEFORE we are paying him a max deal. That isn't hating on him.

A lot of NBA fans laughed when we gave Booker a max extension.

Did they? Maybe some uninformed ones, but Booker was a pretty obvious max guy. Murray got some scoffs when he originally signed his max, but no one is now after the bubble.

[Indy]

No one compared him to Bennett. Indy simply asked what former #1 picks didn’t get a max extension. Bennett and Fultz are the two.

Also no one is saying we shouldn’t keep Ayton, just that maybe we shouldn’t just jump to max him as soon as we can.

I’m not sure why we can’t have high expectations for him. Just because we’re not perfectly happy with everything he’s done, doesn’t mean we’re haters.

This. I want him to be a player every NBA fan knows as a clear max player BEFORE we are paying him a max deal. That isn't hating on him.

A lot of NBA fans laughed when we gave Booker a max extension.

Did they? Maybe some uninformed ones, but Booker was a pretty obvious max guy. Murray got some scoffs when he originally signed his max, but no one is now after the bubble.

this.

[JeremyG]

If James Jones is still GM, I would not be surprised if LeBron finishes his career as a Phoenix Sun.

[Flagrant Fowl]

6 months ago I wouldn't have expected Chris Paul to be on the Suns for the 2020-21 season, but here we are.

LeBron on the Suns? I don't think he leaves LA if Anthony Davis is there.

[Mori Chu]

I wanted Doncic so very badly in that draft, but I feel like I've somehow morphed into one of the bigger Ayton defenders on the site. I really like him. He sometimes isn't as furious and aggressive as I wish he could be, but the guy can basically get 18 and 10 in his sleep. And I love how efficient he is, often shooting way over 50%. I recall a lot of 8-for-9 and 11-for-13 type of nights from him. I would be shocked if he ended up not being worth a max contract. Centers like that are pretty rare. As AIG pointed out in his informative post, some of the league's best centers like Embiid and Jokic aren't very far off from Ayton's numbers in most categories. I think I like the overall trajectory of Ayton over almost any center in the NBA other than Jokic, personally. And I think his numbers are going to really soar with CP3 finding him and feeding him lobs and easy baskets. It's going to be a fun season watching Ayton grow and improve.

[carey]

Cam's hair >.<

[JeremyG]

The final preseason game against the Lakers will be on ESPN as well.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Starting right out of the gate with an officiating bitch-fest battle between CP3 and Doncic.

[In2ition]

I think part of drafting Jalen Smith was to both complement Ayton's, um, finesse, with some power and force while also keeping an eye towards a potential future without Ayton and sliding Smith into that spot.

I just don't see this. Maybe you're right, but I think Ayton could be the prototypical big in the league.

[JeremyG]

[sarc]What a disappointing player. And why doesn't he ever dunk?[/sarc]

[Split T]

Ayton is like the poster child for why you can’t trust highlight reels. Everyone on this board knows what Ayton can do, we’ve seen him do all the things in that video. That’s the problem, we want him to do that all the time. Too often he is just content to take 16 foot jumpers, or that baseline fadeaway. Or avoid contact when going to the rim.

He’s supremely talented and could be an absolute monster. Imagine what he could do if he played with aggression at all times? He’d live at the free throw line, he’d create even more open looks for our ball handlers and shooters. He’d be a guy we could just give the ball to and say go make something happen.

I’m happy we have him, I think he’s clearly a valuable player and has a good shot at being a max guy and top 30 guy in the league, but he could be the top C and a top 10 guy if he wants. That’s what we want and why we’re hard on him.

[ShelC]

Good stuff from CP

[Flagrant Fowl]

Ayton is like the poster child for why you can’t trust highlight reels. Everyone on this board knows what Ayton can do, we’ve seen him do all the things in that video. That’s the problem, we want him to do that all the time. Too often he is just content to take 16 foot jumpers, or that baseline fadeaway. Or avoid contact when going to the rim.

He’s supremely talented and could be an absolute monster. Imagine what he could do if he played with aggression at all times? He’d live at the free throw line, he’d create even more open looks for our ball handlers and shooters. He’d be a guy we could just give the ball to and say go make something happen.

I’m happy we have him, I think he’s clearly a valuable player and has a good shot at being a max guy and top 30 guy in the league, but he could be the top C and a top 10 guy if he wants. That’s what we want and why we’re hard on him.

Well said, and the last part is the reason why he will or won't be worth a max contract.

[The Bobster]

I wanted Doncic so very badly in that draft, but I feel like I've somehow morphed into one of the bigger Ayton defenders on the site. I really like him. He sometimes isn't as furious and aggressive as I wish he could be, but the guy can basically get 18 and 10 in his sleep. And I love how efficient he is, often shooting way over 50%. I recall a lot of 8-for-9 and 11-for-13 type of nights from him. I would be shocked if he ended up not being worth a max contract. Centers like that are pretty rare. As AIG pointed out in his informative post, some of the league's best centers like Embiid and Jokic aren't very far off from Ayton's numbers in most categories. I think I like the overall trajectory of Ayton over almost any center in the NBA other than Jokic, personally. And I think his numbers are going to really soar with CP3 finding him and feeding him lobs and easy baskets. It's going to be a fun season watching Ayton grow and improve.

If he concentrates his offense to mainly attempts below the dotted line, he'd be a monster. He's already a great rebounder and his defense improved beyond what most of us probably expected - and should continue to improve. We just don't need him setting picks 20 feet from the basket (that's on the coaching staff), looking to shoot 15-20 foot jumpers (on Ayton) and being tentative about shooting in the paint (again, on Auton).

That said, I think Paul's shooting and improved floor spacing is going to help Ayton tremendously.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I'm fine with Ayton taking 16 to 20-foot jump shots if he's wide open and hitting around 45% of them like Amar'e did in most of his years as a Sun.

[specialsauce]

I’m not looking at stats this year to determine if Ayton is worth the max. The bottom line is, if he doesn’t show growth and fire in dominating the paint on the offensive end and continues to pussy out 15 feet away from the basket, he’s not a max player. He can average 20 and 10 and not be max worthy. You can’t build your franchise around a big man that shoots midrangers.

He needs to dominate the paint. Those 20 points need to come from dunks, post moves, and free throws.

[iLLmatic]

I think it's interesting to discuss because the suns will be faced with this decision soon. Basing it off 2019-2020 Ayton I'm not maxing him. Id love to see him start to take over games and being that physically imposing presence we're all hoping he can transform to be.

[Superbone]

If James Jones is still GM, I would not be surprised if LeBron finishes his career as a Phoenix Sun.

He just signed a 2 year extension with the Lakers.

[Wally_West]

If James Jones is still GM, I would not be surprised if LeBron finishes his career as a Phoenix Sun.

He just signed a 2 year extension with the Lakers.

Yeah, don’t see LeBron playing for the Suns BUT I do think it’s very possible he could buy the suns once he decides to retire. I would put money that he becomes owner of a NBA team one day.