Deandre Ayton‘s teammates rose to his defense following his poor outing in Friday’s Game 3, writes Duane Rankin 0f The Arizona Republic. Even though the Suns picked up their first win in the series with Denver, Ayton turned in his worst game of the playoffs, shooting 2-of-6 from the floor and scoring just four points in 25 minutes.
Ayton was pulled from the game with 4:57 remaining, bringing back memories of last season when coach Monty Williams benched him during a Game 7 loss to Dallas. Ayton signed an offer sheet with the Pacers over the summer that Phoenix quickly matched, and he revealed at training camp that he didn’t talk to Williams at all during the offseason.
Ayton was visibly angry about being subbed out Friday night and didn’t speak to the media after the game, according to Rankin, but he remained supportive of his teammates and offered advice to backup center Jock Landale on how to guard Nikola Jokic. Landale was among Ayton’s most vocal defenders after Saturday’s practice (video link).
“If you watch when me and (Bismack Biyombo) are in the game and we do something well, DA is the first dude off that bench to stand up and clap, and that speaks volumes about his character, but people seem to totally forget about that,” Landale said. “That’s been something that DA has stood on all year and he’s continued to do that for other players around him, especially myself and Biz, is encourage us at times he’s not having the best night and he’s allowed to not have a great night.”
There’s more from Phoenix:
- Williams’ decision to pull Ayton was partially influenced by Landale’s effectiveness, Rankin adds. In 22 minutes, he made all three of his shots, collected nine rebounds and made several plays to help Phoenix hold off a Nuggets’ comeback. “Jock was giving us great energy,” Williams said. “I thought his pressure on the rim, just in transition, opened up a ton of lanes for all of our guys to attack the paint tonight in transition and then he just scrapped. You couldn’t point out anything that he did from a high-level skill perspective, but he just scrapped and even when he was guarding (Jamal) Murray or guarding the smalls, he just competed.”
- As expected, Chris Paul has been ruled out for Sunday’s Game 4, Rankin adds in another Arizona Republic story. The veteran point guard was a very limited participant in today’s practice as he tries to work his way back from a left groin strain.
- Terrence Ross was thrilled to be part of the rotation for the first time since the playoffs began (video link from Rankin). Ross had five points in nearly 14 minutes as Williams looked for more scoring off his bench.
Wow Ayton is quickly becoming one of the worst contracts in the league. How can he not make this situation work? His value has plummeted.
It really does look like he just doesn’t care sometimes on the court
Yet gets super pissed when taken out of the game
Naw only in your mind and the four likes you got
Can’t have a guy being paid as much as Ayton who doesn’t realize he’s the biggest and strongest on the court most nights. He’s so soft
Sign and trade Kyrie Irving for DeAndre Ayton
Then waive CP3
His deal is only partially guaranteed, meaning they could cut him and save 16mil this upcoming season.
With that money, you’d obviously need to find a cheap centre to fill that Ayton void and you can look to add a couple rotational guys.
They could get Andre Drummond for the min and he’d atleast give them 15 rebounds and about 10 points per game.
Dallas has a Luka and Ayton, two young studs and around them just get 3 and D guys. Deal Christian Wood in another sign and trade if you need too.
Other hypotheticals
1. DeAndre Ayton and Landry Shamet for Clint Capela and Bogdan Bogdanovic
Hawks go younger and more offensive by adding Ayton. Suns get a more consistent rim protector and bench production.
2. DeAndre Ayton and Landry Shamet for Ben Simmons, Nic Claxton and a first round pick.
Crazy I know. Nets get rid of Ben and get another foundational piece from the suns in Ayton. Suns hope to get the best out of Ben, Monty Williams knows him from Philly. At worst he’d be a solid defender at the 4 spot plus they add Nic Claxton who looked great at times. On top of that they get back a first.
3. DeAndre Ayton for Jonathan Issac, Wendell Carter Jr, Jalen Suggs and a future first round pick.
Magic add another foundational young piece to go with their young core. Suns get Carter Jr as a replacement, Isaacs would either be brought back and slot in at the 4 or brought out as his deal isn’t guaranteed. You also get Jalen Suggs to develop as your future point guard behind Chris Paul and a future first round pick.
In reality I probably think Atlanta is the most realistic and likely. They need to do something after all the bad press they have received recently. On top of that you trade Trae Young, you’ll have a ready made team to compete with Murray Hunter Collins Ayton and all those 3 amd D forwards they have.
Wendell Carter Jr. Is a better player than Ayton by himself, so the Magic just hang up the phone. Atlanta desperately needs all the defense they can get, so they also turn it down. Brooklyn is the only viable trade of those three.
Atlanta in theory need Capela but his okay down the stretch was terrible.
He averaged 8-8 in the playoffs and saw his minutes reduce to 25 a night.
Ayton would be a foundational piece for them that they could build around.
There would be no money from waiving Cp3 , they’d still be over the cap
You do know that right??
So, Landale’s defense of Ayton is that at least he cheers hard?? Like…a cheerleader?? A cheerleader who is being paid an NBA max contract…
LOL.
The amount of cope here.
Ayton not showing up is strange to me. I think he’s very talented. Suns haven’t used him right. But he can change all that by playing when he’s on the floor. Don’t know what’s really wrong. But something is up. Booker is the leader of this team. And Chris can have his career extended by a great Center. It’s a shame, really.
Book and Kd simply look Ayton off every play
I watched every sec last game just locking onto Ayton, they ran a grand total of 0 set plays for him all game
But also what happened against Mavs. I’ve read rumors, you never know. Did you hear Steven A talk about him. I mean this Suns team is not winning a chip without Ayton. And frankly by now I’d thought he’d be the second guy to Booker. Players know who they can go to war with. I really liked him coming out of college.
The Nuggets failed to stop the ball as they got back on defense last game. I mean the team got back okay but they didn’t set up their defense well. Phoenix was fast breaking at a man disadvantage (sometimes it seemed like they running a 1 vs 5 disadvantage fast break), but it didn’t matter because the Nuggets allowed the dribbler to go one on one and if they beat the first defense, they got straight to the hoop. At times it seemed like the Nuggets were ignoring anybody but Booker and KD on defense. They need to cover everybody.
They can’t allow a bunch of uncontested drives to the hoop. I’d limit Murray to 36 minutes a game rather than more than over 40. I want a fresh Murray that’s playing defense and offense.
Part of me wants to see if the Nuggets Peyton Watson can slow down Booker…ie limit Booker to 30 points or 50% fg percentage? If I’m the coach, I’m probably not swapping in Watson for KCP, but it might be worth trying.
Nuggets have an excellent chance to go to Finals and win this yr. It’s time for them to go take it from Suns. Time for them to rise to the occasion.
Alot of haters. Sorry Monty and you all haters but he should not be covering PGs and SGs. That garbage product. I would be upset too. Why do I need to chase them down while the PG who switched is covering a center. Silver needs to go. Play defense. Call dribbling violations.