Advantage. Offense Deandre Ayton is a fourth-year center who would bolster the Toronto Raptors' offense. Boston's Kyrie Irving was regarded as a slightly above-average defender by RPM last year, for instance. Joki will defend a big man that likes to set screens and roll to the rim. Booker is quick and strong, but he'll need to be at the top of his defensive game to keep pace with Denver's electric point guard. Monte Morris thought that isolating himself against the third-year center from the University of Arizona was a good idea. He has continued to not only show a cerebral increase and understanding of the not-so-sexy side of the ball, he has displayed an affinity for it as well. If you crash and dont snag the rebound, the opposition is off to the races and youre left behind watching the highlights. Players eligible for leaderboards are those who have played in at least 70 percent of their teams games and average at least 24 minutes per game (including stats from the regular season and playoffs). 2022-2023 Game Log Cauley-Stein begins a delayed roll on the weak side. Ayton currently ranks 12th in the NBA in total rebounding with 10.7 per game. Our ratings, updated daily, use play-by-play and player-tracking data to calculate each player's individual plus-minus measurements and wins above replacement, which accounts for playing time. All rights reserved. Ayton uses his size and strength to box out Rudy, and even though Deandre isnt the one who is credited for the rebound, the team obtains possession. In his ball-screen coverage, he can do a lot of different things because he moves so well, and we're trying to exploit that," Suns veteran Jae Crowder said postgame. He recorded a 105 defensive rating on the year, and he does a solid job of protecting the rim. Landry Shamet continues to be the first guy off the bench for the Suns. newsletter. But it is absolutely paramount to the success of a teams interior and perimeter defense. Durant, Booker and Paul each scored 17 points in the second half of Saturdays Game 4 win, but Aytons plus-13 was the highest plus/minus of any starter in the second half of Game 4. They outscored the Timberwolves by 18.4 points per 100 possessions with these lineups, good for the 98th percentile. Couple that with Crowders ability to see it as well and close in time to challenge the shot, and the shooter is taken out of his rhythm and misses. Its not all glitz and glamour, defensive dominance and swatted leather. The oldest play in the book. Explore Who had the most wins as a favorite last season? Still, Phoenix shot a robust 51.2%, and its 110.5 offensive rating in Game 1 was practically the equivalent of the regular-season Rockets (Houston had the third-worst offensive efficiency in the . Those highlights are discussed around the proverbial water cooler, not the next day at work, but as they are happening. Maybe. Statistical model by Nate Silver. Ayton isnt there yet, but he is showing that the game is slowing down for him. Murray used to torch Phoenix before his knee injury that sidelined him the entire 2021-22 season. DeAndre Jordan weighs 265 lbs (120 kg). The "short roll" is when a player screens and then receives a pass halfway to the basket. Denver's pick-and-roll defense will rightfully be put under the microscope against Phoenix. It's also available for football, hockey and baseball. The Suns will need more than a Tesla motor to stop the two-time MVP. It paid off handsomely. Joki should be a very familiar assignment for Deandre Ayton. The Suns got zilch from their bench when the game was a game, didn't match Denver's physicality and . Arizona has seven problems much more concerning than top-25 ranking Deandre Ayton: Suns Defensive Anchor - Bright Side Of The Sun He's a fantastic spot-up option, as well, but there are more ways to utilize Durant within an offense. Deandre Ayton Defense Rating | StatMuse Spread: Suns +2.5 . Oops. Yet. Jamal Murray led the show for the Mile High squad against Minnesota and averaged 27.4 points on 47.1 percent from the field and 44.2 percent from three-point range. Instinctively Bridges drops to covers Willie which allows Ayton to challenge a Luke middy. pic.twitter.com/bVuHPGrlo3. They give Durant extra attention, Booker can continue to cook. The league average for offensive-rebounds-per game is currently 9.8. He isn't DPOY-level, but he's a very good defender. Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns (RFA) The Suns had a chance to sign Ayton to a rookie-scale extension before this season began, but the two sides couldn't agree on terms. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500(VA). One of the best metrics we have to measure this paint defense is the NBAs advanced metrics shot tracking data, which show us the number of shots per game a player defends at a given distance from the rim, what percentage of those shots went in, and how that field goal percentage compares with the average shooting performance of those players from that distance. Deandre's commitment to being an anchor on defense has been a primary contributing factor to the Suns' success early on this year. He was Joki's primary defender the last time these two teams met up in the 2021 postseason. Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul fill out the rest of their "Big Four." Ayton averages 16 PPG and leads the team in rebounds at 11 per game in the postseason, while Paul averages 14 PPG and leads the Suns in the postseason at assists at 8 per game. Deandre Ayton stood there at one point watching Nikola Jokic play tip drill on the rim. The result? When he reaches his hands into the air to create a wall, it is a dauntingly visible deterrent. Ayton is at 51.1%, a career-high and major . 6. 5 DFGA). Aaron Gordon, meanwhile, will try to make things tough for one of the best scorers on the planet after doing an excellent job against Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns. Its ever so subtle on this play, but as Dorian Finney-Smith rolls out of a dribble hand-off, Ayton recognizes it. Will Porter Jr. be used as a secondary defender against Booker and Durant in the pick-and-roll or in the post? Deandre Ayton averages 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. Whether the Suns go deep into the luxury tax for Ayton to keep their core together long-term is one of the bigger storylines of the 2022 offseason. He appeared to be tentative in early contests against the Mavericks and Kings, but by the time the Suns played the Nuggets, Deandre was using his size and physicality to move the opposition off of their spots. Suns vs Nuggets NBA Odds, Picks and Predictions - NBA Playoffs Game 1 Hes averaging 37.2 points in the postseason and coming off a 47-point cooking of the Clippers in Game 5 closeout that tied a career playoff high. Many Phoenix Suns fans have been critical of Deandre Ayton's effort and "heart" on the court through the years. The relationship between Ayton and the Suns has reportedly soured . NBA Power Rankings: Here's where every team stands heading in to . Yet time and again, although he has proven to be an efficient scorer (currently 58% FG%), his finesse approach to his offensive game does not satisfy the masses. NBA player rankings: Top 100 NBA players as of 2023 playoffs - Page 6. As mentioned earlier, Denver should absolutely explore blitzing Phoenix's pick-and-rolls with Booker and Durant to get the ball out of their hands. Design and development by Ryan Best, Jay Boice and Ella Koeze. Lets face it. Additional contributions by Neil Paine. The anchor of the defense mirrors the responsibilities of a middle linebacker: call out what you see and direct your resources towards your teams weaknesses. Deandre Ayton Says He Anchors the Phoenix Suns on Both - Yardbarker Well, for one, he can have Joki play much closer to screens and "hedge." Over the years, he's transformed into more of a nominal pick-and-roll big man. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Suns-Nuggets preview, Pt. Here's an example of what that looks like from the Timberwolves series. Home The Clippers did this numerous times in the first round whenever Ayton set a ball screen for Durant or Booker. Hes only going to get better. Eligibility restrictions apply. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. Phoenix Suns NBA 2K23 Roster | 2K Ratings The acquisition of Durant meant Ayton's role changed again. On-Off. Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, Arizona, Draft: Though Booker will have an immense offensive load, he's probably Phoenix's best option for defending Murray, at least until Josh Okogie enters the game. He won the 2020 defensive player of the year award but somehow got criticized because he doesn't regularly attempt to shut down the opposing team's best perimeter scorer one-on-one. Gobert then recovers back to Joki once Conley returns to Murray, thus pulling off the "hedge and recover.". So I stopped looking at Mikal highlights and began analyzing Deandre Ayton. Suns drop to 3rd best title odds as Warriors advance to second round. "It gives those guys spaces like KD (Kevin Durant), Chris (Paul) and Book (Devin Booker), they do the rest. Ayton's decision-making in the open floor as the "short roller" left a lot to be desired. The team is currently 1st in the NBA opponents-points-per-game. On the other hand,. Players often gain reputations as good or bad defenders based mainly on reputation around the league or the always-reliable eye test.. More than likely, the Nuggets will mix and match coverages to throw Phoenix off the scent. I hit my middies so theyre pressing up. The views on this page do not necessarily represent the views of the NBA or its clubs. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & resort (KS). Denver finished with the fifth-best offense during the regular season and led the NBA in field goal percentage. Far away from home in Phoenix, it's that Bahamian mindset that has helped Deandre Ayton have peace with his unrewarded contract situation with the Suns. home/away, monthly, etc More Deandre Ayton Basketball Reference pages, 2022-23 Suns We may yearn for Domin-Ayton on the offensive end, slamming the ball through the cylinder with authority and ferocity, our Twitter notifications going wild as we celebrate the offensive greatness that is DA. Despite a 10 height disparity, Ayton accepts the challenge and holds his base. In the other two, Denver sat a majority of its starters. Averaging 14.8 points on 54.2% shooting and 11.3 rebounds in this series, Ayton has posted a double-double in the last three games of this series, all won by the Suns. This was Deandre Ayton's last defensive possession of the game that appeared to prompt Monty to sub him out for the final time. The Phoenix Suns dropped from best odds to win the West to 3rd best, despite still being 2nd best to win the whole league. Deandre Ayton vows Phoenix Suns will be 'completely different' in Game There are a lot of NBA fans that have probably recently heard about Deandre Ayton's improvement on defense. Start your online subscription. The end result is a missed three-pointer and a rebound for DA. Trade value on the open market is 20.83 which ranks him 15th among center's and 57th overall. Plus, Ayton hasn't consistently punished mismatches after switches. 2: Booker's defense could face healthy Murray. At other points, Phoenix's switching defense would present them with disadvantageous matchups. Luka Doncic uses a high screen set by Willie Cauley-Stein in an effort to switch out of the pesky defense of Bridges. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Psst. Have no fear, Mikal, as DA is there. Ask them, they know. Paul, Booker, and Durant are all lethal midrange scorers and utilize specific moves like the "snake dribble" to find windows of opportunity against dropping big men. But again, he is learning how to use his body to negate defenders from the ball. More: Phoenix Suns fans slam Monty Williams for playing Landry Shamet in loss to Denver Nuggets, The Suns dont have much of a chance this series against Denver if Deandre Ayton has moments like this.Simply inexcusable to watch your teammates fight for a loose ball while standing on the baseline. The key stats to watch here are personal fouls and turnovers. "In an ideal world, I actually want even more," Suns head coach Monty Williams said postgame on Ayton. At 6'11" with a 7'5" reach, Durant is an excellent secondary shot blocker with a condor-like wingspan. That's not a ton of dress rehearsal for the revamped Suns, who now head into battle against a Denver team with years of continuity. But that's the best-case scenario. His offensive and defensive ratings are also the highest of his career according to Basketball-Reference. SERIES PREVIEW: #1 NUGGETS VS. #4 SUNS | NBA.com The Suns' Offense Is Playing in the Past - Sports Illustrated Phoenix Suns, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 2018 NBA Draft, More Deandre Ayton pages at Sports Reference. The more you watch Deandre, the more you notice him calling out plays from the rear. Make those guys beat you and lean into interchangeability at all five positions when Joki sits. Phoenix's timing can also be off, resulting in flailing turnovers. Durant's usage rate was reflective of that. His 101 defensive rating is the best of his career, per Basketball-Reference.com.Phoenix's defense ranks third in rating . Not to sound like the old guy in the room, but its a different game these days. Latest on Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN Durant was one of the best pick-and-roll ball handlers this season in Brooklyn, and he's a historically great post-up player. On NBA 2K23, Kevin Durant is Phoenix Suns' highest rated player, followed by Devin Booker in second place, and Chris Paul in third. Thus, he should be "hidden" on Caldwell-Pope. Ayton has not looked comfortable within that setting in the postseason. To have a center who loves to play defense and is excited to learn how to better that skillset isnt something youll find on many Twitter highlights or postgame shows. The Suns are succeeding despite Ayton, not because of him The reason for those high ratings is that the Suns starting five lineup has been decimating teams. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton on Friday night at the NBA summer league in Las . Nuggets coach Michael Malone and Williams established a culture that has been the foundation for the success of their teams. While the night did not go to plan for anyone on the Suns, it was particularly rough for. College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. Again, a different game. Phoenix's defensive matchups are a little more interesting. His block percentage is up slightly from last season to 2.5% from 2.1%, his steal percentage is down slightly to 0.8% from 1.1%. The 24-year-old scoffed at the notion . We hear everybody out on this team. Thats a pretty significant difference from last year in both how often hes defending these shots and his success in keeping them from going on. Booker, Paul, and Durant are all too experienced and too talented to see one style of defense over and over and over. His ability to face-up and splash shots from the midrange almost immediately made him the go-to option in Phoenix. Defensive rating: Suns 116.3 (12th), Nuggets 109.6 (6th). How old is DeAndre Jordan? Denver's defensive alignments should look oddly similar to how they matched up with Minnesota in the first round. His passes from the short roll have been woefully inaccurate, either sailing into the crowd or landing at his teammate's feet. Averaging 16/10 in his 4 year caeer. And then finally, Michael Porter Jr. will be somewhat of a free safety for Denver. Ayton has become a lightning rod for discussion for Suns fans. It is no easy task keeping him from the basketball. Denver must force someone else to beat them other than Durant or Booker. Blitzing is a great way to get the ball out of Booker and Durant's hands when they run pick-and-roll. Nikola Joki Deandre Ayton Aaron Gordon . Game 1 between Denver and Phoenix will tip Saturday at 6:30 p.m. MT and air on TNT. Hedging is a style of pick-and-roll defense where the big man jumps out toward the ball-handler and then recovers back to his man. DominAyton, Tiger, Dominator are nicknames for Deandre Ayton. Got to protect the rim. Like a cornerback covering a receiver, the goal is to keep your hips square. DeAndre Ayton Trade Value. Deandre Ayton | Phoenix Suns | NBA.com A daily roundup of Phoenix Suns news from Bright Side of the Sun, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Monty and the Suns need to realize that Shamet aint it. He thought wrong. NBA player rankings: Top 100 NBA players as of 2023 playoffs Center Filter or search to find players. He has Chris Paul, a career 37.5 percent three-pointer shooter, open at the left wing but instead hoists a midrange shot that misses. This season, Deandre Ayton has helped propel the Suns to one of the best defenses in the league, making Phoenix management wish they'd handed him a max contract over the summer. You get a feel for the newness of the Suns in the halfcourt. Who cares if Trae Young shot 9 for 22 last Monday; did you see his crossover-into-fail-bait last night? But lets look at Ayton last season. Some other big men known for great defense, like Gobert and Joel Embiid, are also appearing to have less impressive performances on that end so far this season. Deandres commitment to being an anchor on defense has been a primary contributing factor to the Suns success early on this year. While talented on the offensive end, the team has displayed the ability to switch, defend, and deter. This victory, in the first contest of a four-game road trip, helps the Suns win their third in a row after a couple of bumps in the road since the All-Star break with home losses to the Indiana Pacers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ayton did an admirable job defending Joker in the 2021 series, but typically after an . Utilizing Joki as the drop defender is just asking for a thunderstorm of midrange buckets. "Mainly just communicating," Deandre Ayton told The Athletic. I love the playoffs, but the contact is a little bit different. More NBA:Player projectionsOur 2022-23 NBA predictionsBuild your own team. In this style of pick-and-roll defense, the big man just outright double-teams the ball-handler. Examining potential sign-and-trade destinations for Deandre Ayton His frame and high release point on his shot make him unguardable, and he's crafted a snazzy dribbling package over the years to get to his favorite spots on the court at will. But last years team won an awful lot, so this is not isolatable to Ayton. The Suns' record went from 19-63 to 34-39 to 51-21 in Ayton's three seasons. This early in the season we could still be dealing with a bit of an anomaly that will smooth out with time. NBA Draft: Is Deandre Ayton a better defensive prospect than his Mike Conley gets nailed by Joki's screen, so Gobert "hedges" out to Murray to stop his dribble. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Heck, DeAndre Jordan could even be worth a look to crash the glass against Phoenix's frail rebounding. Did he forget his job is to get boards? But Malone's job goes beyond just dictating defensive coverages. Offensive rating: Suns 122.5 (1st), Nuggets 117.2 (4th). More: Suns-Nuggets: Nikola Jokic needs NBA title to take spot alongside MVPs like LeBron, Jordan. Ayton on Chris Paul: 'He was the best thing that happened to my - NBA The Nuggets will end the Timberwolves' season tonight, plus an NHL best Sign up for the Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (4 He is continuing to learn, to read what the opposition is doing, and to execute what he sees. The Raptors would bolster their weaknesses by acquiring Deandre Ayton Despite Suns' recent struggles, Deandre Ayton's stock keeps rising 2021 Western Conference semifinals (Suns won in four). He consistently holds opponents to well below their normal field goal percentage (he's one of the best big men in the league by this measure). The year Steve Nash came to Phoenix in 2004-05 and led the league with a pace of 95.9, the league average was 90.9. Chris Paul and Kevin Durant preparing in Denver, 'Going to be fun': Deandre Ayton looking forward to matchup with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, Suns-Nuggets: Nikola Jokic needs NBA title to take spot alongside MVPs like LeBron, Jordan, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Not to mention the fact that his performance came against an All-Star caliber forward/center in Bam Adebayo. Needlessly standing there, hands at his sides, completely uninvolved in the offense. Jae Crowder is cut off from defending him. All statistics courtesy of NBA Stats or Cleaning the Glass unless stated otherwise. Whatever they write about a guy not scoring an X amount, but the pressure that hes putting on the rim and forcing guys to guard him around the basket is creating so many opportunities for Book and Kevin, Williams said. Due to the constant uploading of spectacular slams, awesome oops, and thundering threes, fans have been conditioned to expect those highlights from their favorite players. Ayton's averaging 16 points on 53 percent from the field to go with 11.8 rebounds in the postseason. Denver has kicked things into high gear in the postseason and ranks fifth in defensive rating after finishing just 17th during the regular season. Everybody was cursing me out to rebound, Ayton said.
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deandre ayton defensive rating