insider article. give us a summation.
He’s short on experience compared to most rookies. Has gotten by on raw physical talent. Has a LOT of growth necessary. His motor runs hot and cold and needs to get more consistent. Not known for living in the gym. Comparing he and Doncic makes no sense based on their backgrounds.
Suns director of player development had lots of quotes. What I thought were very insightful comments. If they are truly working on these things and Ayton gets them, he will be great. If he doesn’t and coasts, he’ll be somewhat a disappointment.
DEFENSE:
Motor - needs to get better. Ayton expresses surprise that he has to bring it every night.
Pick and roll nuance - working on all the little things - particularly positioning to not get overcommitted or non committed. Needs to work on footwork. Took gobert 3 years to get it.
Rim protection - he’s supposed to be protecting the rim. He doesn’t always jump. Sometimes he’s in good position but does nothing to challenge ball. Difficult to gauge instincts because motor is hot and cold and fundamentals are raw.
Finding a body - “can fall into 8 rebounds given size and athleticism” but needs to work on boxing out. Most hope for him to improve most quickly here. Think he should become 15 rebound/game guy.
OFFENSE
Become elite roller - very nimble and tough contain when deep. Needs to learn all nuances can take wrong angles.
Assertiveness - in summary just not assertive. Having tough time adapting to 24 second shot clock. Will get ball in good position and pass out. Should be averaging 6 free throws per game but only at two. Too often floats. When does dive freezes at sign of help defense and turns ball over instead of drawing contact. Ayton admits he’s too passive but he thinks he’s making the right play when he sees someone open. Good passer but sometimes it’s playmaking by default because he doesn’t feel comfortable going at his man in the post. Too often suns multiple attempts to feed him in the post and kicks it back out to repost with not enough time on the clock. Player development guy is like “no man we want you to go to work. Your teammates want you to go to work.”
Lift under jumpers - needs to establish in post first then get to jumpers. Jumpers are too flat. Needs to establish proficiency before starts taking 3s.
Looking forward - he’s at where our expectations should be . . . for now. Question is will he put in time and will suns set him up for success. Could be perennial all star and one of top defensive players in league. Depends on willingness to put in work. Suns guy knows it’s his and suns organizations responsibility to get him there.
