Phoenix taking another leap next season might rest squarely on Ayton's shoulders. But how can the Suns take all his other physical attributes & create the player they need him to be?
I'd really love to see Ayton try and develop a bit of Pascal into his game. Being able to catch the ball at the high post and take people off the dribble with his quick burst of speed and strength. He looks to be in so much control whenever he utilises the spin, something Pascal/Giannis do so well. I would love him to use it more often.
I agree. I just dont want to dedicate too much time to "new things" which may have a negative impact on the team short term. that might be short sighted of me but when there's things he does well that help the team so much already, I want to focus on those.
Excellent piece. Amazing how watching the playoffs has made me think on the things you mentioned can really make Ayton one of the bigs who can’t be played off the court
Agree with about 80% of the points discussed, good observation and explanation. The other 20% I don't entirely agree with is regarding his post game analysis and small or wing man defense.
First off, the Suns rarely sets him up at the post, when they do, its awkward and it shows. Ayton has a good fundamental back to the basket game, but no matter the skill there, if the team's offense is not designed to allow him to utilize it then it will be clunky and inefficient. It needs to be intentional and his team mates need to set up and help him get maximum chance in the post by creating the space... right now that aspect is an afterthought.
Regarding, his small or wing defense, he has great feet and lateral movement and of course he is very agile so he is able to contest many shots from outside or from 23 feet out, hence the nice defensive field goal percentage numbers. When called upon, he has defended wing players well and would say he's third or fourth behind Bridges, Rubio and Oubre on the team in that regard, in short he's "trust worthy" in switching and defends sufficiently on switches to smalls or wings.
I really like your description of "selfish defense" on when Ayton tends to focus on his assigned man so much that he doesnt contest from the weak side when his team mate gets beaten... he just needs to take more risk there and he would be averaging another block a game easily, so around 2.5+ blocks a game is a realistic result if he took risks leaving his man and helping. Now, he doesnt want to become Hassan Whiteside in that regard, as Whiteside leaves his man a lot of times to fill the box score for block shots and why he is criticized as a mediocre defender at best even when he averages over 3 blocks a game. Ayton needs to still ensure his man is defended but know when to switch focus as a help defender, risk some drop off passes here and there rather than give up layups.
And finally, yes he needs to work on his stamina, conditioning, thats a given since he had a disrupted season. But as he gets more confident and start becoming more vocal and assertive, which comes with age and maturity, he will be a lot better. He can be a Gobert type defender but with the ability to carry the offense and scoring next to Booker, he just needs to work on his front face dribbling, long range and of course baiting his defender to foul him... all common improvements for young big players with less than 4 years on college.
Thanks very much for reading and taking the time to give your thoughts.
Without going too much more into it, I do think his post game could be better. It was better last season for example. I just don't ever see it being great, or more importantly it ever being worth dedicating a significant part of the offense too. So I'd much prefer he stick to the lower usage role that is good for both him and the team.
As for the defense disagreement, I'm not sure we do disagree. Sounds like we are fairly on the same page.
Your points are spot on. The clips illustrate what you are saying perfectly. And the memes are hilarious. Excellent content, as usual! You raise the bar with each issue.
Excellent work! Always said that Ayton main things to work on is his dribble and conditioning. If he has full confidence in his dribble and hands, you wont see what we saw on Ish Smith. I fully believe too that his conditionning is what it is limiting him going to the line. You tend to see Ayton going to the line early in the game ( when he goes more than once) and at the start of second half and tend to disappear late (late game FTs are so important). And those 2 things are on him to improve
Right now, I think it's the likes of Vucevic and Aldridge. What I'd like it to be and think is possible with the right coaching - is more the likes of Dwight Howard. It's not a perfect comp (nothing ever is) and I dont think he'll ever be quite the multi time DPOY that early Dwight was but he can be super impactful as a guy who has a very simple yet effective role on Offense and earns his cash on the other end.
Cool, I think you’re dead on with Aldridge yet I hope Ayton has more potential than him. Disagree about Howard since he can’t shoot. Great work on the article!
Of course. But I do think that if Howard was starting now, then he likely would be similar to Ayton in terms of shooting more as a prospect. Sign of the times. Anyway, the comp is more to suggest that I think Ayton's best attributes make him more of a chance to be a defensive impact guy in the NBA than other way around.
Ayton Out--- running, working, jumping the competition really is something that would eventually turn him into a yearly All-NBA team and defense.
It's really going to be something when the Suns are a top-3 defense and all of Mikal, Ayton, and Vassell/Bane/Riller are on it.
Great work, David!
Amazing content, as usual, David.
Amazing content once again Dave!
Love it mate. My favourite issue yet.
I'd really love to see Ayton try and develop a bit of Pascal into his game. Being able to catch the ball at the high post and take people off the dribble with his quick burst of speed and strength. He looks to be in so much control whenever he utilises the spin, something Pascal/Giannis do so well. I would love him to use it more often.
I agree. I just dont want to dedicate too much time to "new things" which may have a negative impact on the team short term. that might be short sighted of me but when there's things he does well that help the team so much already, I want to focus on those.
Excellent piece. Amazing how watching the playoffs has made me think on the things you mentioned can really make Ayton one of the bigs who can’t be played off the court
he definitely has a legit chance to hang in the playoffs if we get there soon
Agree with about 80% of the points discussed, good observation and explanation. The other 20% I don't entirely agree with is regarding his post game analysis and small or wing man defense.
First off, the Suns rarely sets him up at the post, when they do, its awkward and it shows. Ayton has a good fundamental back to the basket game, but no matter the skill there, if the team's offense is not designed to allow him to utilize it then it will be clunky and inefficient. It needs to be intentional and his team mates need to set up and help him get maximum chance in the post by creating the space... right now that aspect is an afterthought.
Regarding, his small or wing defense, he has great feet and lateral movement and of course he is very agile so he is able to contest many shots from outside or from 23 feet out, hence the nice defensive field goal percentage numbers. When called upon, he has defended wing players well and would say he's third or fourth behind Bridges, Rubio and Oubre on the team in that regard, in short he's "trust worthy" in switching and defends sufficiently on switches to smalls or wings.
I really like your description of "selfish defense" on when Ayton tends to focus on his assigned man so much that he doesnt contest from the weak side when his team mate gets beaten... he just needs to take more risk there and he would be averaging another block a game easily, so around 2.5+ blocks a game is a realistic result if he took risks leaving his man and helping. Now, he doesnt want to become Hassan Whiteside in that regard, as Whiteside leaves his man a lot of times to fill the box score for block shots and why he is criticized as a mediocre defender at best even when he averages over 3 blocks a game. Ayton needs to still ensure his man is defended but know when to switch focus as a help defender, risk some drop off passes here and there rather than give up layups.
And finally, yes he needs to work on his stamina, conditioning, thats a given since he had a disrupted season. But as he gets more confident and start becoming more vocal and assertive, which comes with age and maturity, he will be a lot better. He can be a Gobert type defender but with the ability to carry the offense and scoring next to Booker, he just needs to work on his front face dribbling, long range and of course baiting his defender to foul him... all common improvements for young big players with less than 4 years on college.
Thanks very much for reading and taking the time to give your thoughts.
Without going too much more into it, I do think his post game could be better. It was better last season for example. I just don't ever see it being great, or more importantly it ever being worth dedicating a significant part of the offense too. So I'd much prefer he stick to the lower usage role that is good for both him and the team.
As for the defense disagreement, I'm not sure we do disagree. Sounds like we are fairly on the same page.
Thanks again for checking it out.
Tremendous! Loved this piece. Great stuff, David!
Thank you!
Your points are spot on. The clips illustrate what you are saying perfectly. And the memes are hilarious. Excellent content, as usual! You raise the bar with each issue.
thanks Brian!
Excellent work! Always said that Ayton main things to work on is his dribble and conditioning. If he has full confidence in his dribble and hands, you wont see what we saw on Ish Smith. I fully believe too that his conditionning is what it is limiting him going to the line. You tend to see Ayton going to the line early in the game ( when he goes more than once) and at the start of second half and tend to disappear late (late game FTs are so important). And those 2 things are on him to improve
Agreed. Thanks a lot for reading.
Which past NBA all star would you say is the best comp for our man Ayton?
Right now, I think it's the likes of Vucevic and Aldridge. What I'd like it to be and think is possible with the right coaching - is more the likes of Dwight Howard. It's not a perfect comp (nothing ever is) and I dont think he'll ever be quite the multi time DPOY that early Dwight was but he can be super impactful as a guy who has a very simple yet effective role on Offense and earns his cash on the other end.
Cool, I think you’re dead on with Aldridge yet I hope Ayton has more potential than him. Disagree about Howard since he can’t shoot. Great work on the article!
Of course. But I do think that if Howard was starting now, then he likely would be similar to Ayton in terms of shooting more as a prospect. Sign of the times. Anyway, the comp is more to suggest that I think Ayton's best attributes make him more of a chance to be a defensive impact guy in the NBA than other way around.