All Things Ayton

[ShelC]

This was a week ago:
https://twitter.com/CoachKyleWeaver/status/1030654149375848449

[specialsauce]

What makes you think he's not? He can't sit on his bed?

If he was putting work in at the suns facility or anywhere with other NBA players in this day of social media and hype tapes, you really think it wouldn’t be put out there by the Suns? If he farts in public it’ll go viral.


That 1 on 0 workout picture is quite underwhelming.

The Suns future for the next 5-10 years is riding on this kids career and my biggest concern with his summer league and offseason thus far is that he just seems more into his brand and showcasing his personality than improving his game.

It’s also telling that Book has commented about Bridges quite a few times publicly and has been silent about Ayton unless directly asked a question. Would love to have seen him in LA working together.

[specialsauce]

Man, is training camp here yet?

[Split T]

I think you worry too much, if he sucks on the court then complain all you want. Just seems unnecessary and only gonna cause you grief to worry about the lack of social media posts with Ayton playing basketball.

[In2ition]

Worrying is praying for the worst.

[Cap]

Worrying is praying for the worst.

AKA, using a little reverse psychology on God.

[ShelC]

What makes you think he's not? He can't sit on his bed?

If he was putting work in at the suns facility or anywhere with other NBA players in this day of social media and hype tapes, you really think it wouldn’t be put out there by the Suns? If he farts in public it’ll go viral.


That 1 on 0 workout picture is quite underwhelming.

The Suns future for the next 5-10 years is riding on this kids career and my biggest concern with his summer league and offseason thus far is that he just seems more into his brand and showcasing his personality than improving his game.

It’s also telling that Book has commented about Bridges quite a few times publicly and has been silent about Ayton unless directly asked a question. Would love to have seen him in LA working together.

I get where you're coming from with all of this but it's still obviously very early. It'd be great if he were working out with Booker and some other players, but if they're in LA, maybe he just wants to stay in Phoenix and get settled after a busy summer. Not sure why he wouldn't be working out at the Suns facility tho unless that's his personal trainer using a gym he's connected to.

In terms of Summer League, I thought he played well given the circumstances and didn't seem distracted or underwhelming. Wasn't in the best of shape so that's my biggest concern at this point. He does look to have a personality and seems to want to get attention the way Shaq did and Embiid does. If he can back it up on the court, he'll get away with those things.

[JeremyG]

Ayton is the first rookie in NBA history to average 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 58% FG shooting.

[jonh]

Ayton is the first rookie in NBA history to average 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 58% FG shooting.

Hes also the first rookie to average 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 58% FG shooting and be perpetually seeks as a disappointment by a sizable portion of his team's fanbase.

[Cap]

Ayton is the first rookie in NBA history to average 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 58% FG shooting.

Hes also the first rookie to average 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 58% FG shooting and be perpetually seeks as a disappointment by a sizable portion of his team's fanbase.

Given the way the guy talks himself up, it’s fair to call him a disappointment.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Ayton is the first rookie in NBA history to average 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 58% FG shooting.

Hes also the first rookie to average 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 58% FG shooting and be perpetually seeks as a disappointment by a sizable portion of his team's fanbase.

Given the way the guy talks himself up, it’s fair to call him a disappointment.

I'm not disappointed in his rookie season. I'm actually encouraged by it, but yeah, I've already started ignoring his comments to the media.

I'll need to see his conditioning and defensive awareness improve next year at a minimum.

[ShelC]

I'll give his rookie year a solid B+.

The Good:
Legit size and strength in the post
Great hands and soft touch from the perimeter and around the basket
Great rebounding presence
Defense improved throughout the year
Good self-awareness about expectations, his own play and shortcomings (tho could be mostly BS unless he backs it up going forward)

The Not-So-Good:
Focus and killer mentality/aggression
Conditioning

From a skills standpoint, I don't think we can ask for much more. He's a pretty polished basketball player already even though he didn't get much of a chance to display his offense. I think he's more advanced than we saw, due mainly to Igor's use of him within the offense. But even as a rookie, we saw him physically overpowering guys in the paint, especially when he was focused and engaged. His conditioning should be a top priority this offseason and we all saw him fatigue and lose his effectiveness/aggression late in games. And hopefully any improved conditioning will lead to him being quicker and more impactful defensively. His numbers were there, though it didn't always feel like he was affecting games in a major way - which again I think was due to how he was used.

[Split T]

I had hoped for a better season for Ayton, but one thing I’ve learned is to never judge players on their rookie years. Ayton has some weaknesses that are concerning, but the one thing that everyone says about Ayton is how quickly he learns. I think it’s very possible Ayton ends up as a positive defensive player, that ends up as pretty unguardable offensively. He’ll be bigger, stronger, and more athletic than everyone. And the 3 point shot is coming. He could still be really special!

[jonh]

Ayton is the first rookie in NBA history to average 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 58% FG shooting.

Hes also the first rookie to average 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 58% FG shooting and be perpetually seeks as a disappointment by a sizable portion of his team's fanbase.

Given the way the guy talks himself up, it’s fair to call him a disappointment.

Yeah, I think his mouth and his motor are my two biggest criticisms of him right now. However, as someone that would have preferred Donicic last summer anyways, I still have been impressed at his production this season.

[Mori Chu]

Doncic had a better overall rookie season, and arguably so did guys like Trae Young and Bagley. But Ayton was impressive overall and I have high hopes for his second season. If he does what he needs to do in the summer, he could be really special next year. He's still very young.

[In2ition]

It felt like Igor was taking it slow with Ayton all year. I hope he comes back much improved from hard work over the summer.

[Mori Chu]

If we get a talented passing PG, suddenly Ayton is going to look like a real beast. Nobody threw the guy any passes all year, and he was left to figure out his own offense for himself. He played okay under those circumstances, but he can be so much more. Get the PG, and you unlock Ayton for free.

[In2ition]

I'm sure(maybe I should say I hope) the Suns have pg as a priority this off-season. Ayton has things he needs to improve himself though. He doesn't have the best hands, doesn't quite have the feel for how and when to roll and/or make himself available to catch and recieve the ball yet.

Btw, next year's draft is going to be crazy deep at pg.

[Superbone]

If we get a talented passing PG, suddenly Ayton is going to look like a real beast. Nobody threw the guy any passes all year, and he was left to figure out his own offense for himself. He played okay under those circumstances, but he can be so much more. Get the PG, and you unlock Ayton for free.

Nah. You can't put it all on the PG situation. He takes some blame as well. There were many times he did get the ball in the post but he'd immediately pass back out.

[Superbone]

I'm sure(maybe I should say I hope) the Suns have pg as a priority this off-season. Ayton has things he needs to improve himself though. He doesn't have the best hands, doesn't quite have the feel for how and when to roll and/or make himself available to catch and recieve the ball yet.

Btw, next year's draft is going to be crazy deep at pg.

I don't think you have anything to worry about as far as priority. James Jones made it clear that addressing PG and PF are our priorities.