As the road becomes narrower to the NBA Finals, there will be more eyes that set in on Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!With Ayton in particular, critics have always been bold in the seven-footer’s intensity when it comes to competing on both ends of the floor.
Ayton, who’s heard the whispers before, responded sarcastically to it on Monday.
Deandre Ayton on people questioning his motor: “Man, I don’t know what that is. Motor? Come on, I play both ends of the floor. My name is Dominayton, I anchor the Phoenix Suns on both ends of the floor. Motor, man? Really? Nope! I run on Tesla battery.” pic.twitter.com/19tSIr155h
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) April 24, 2023
The Phoenix faithful have constantly had a love-hate relationship with Ayton in recent years. On one hand, he poses the solidified big that can contribute to the team’s title aspirations. On the other, he brings a tremendous ceiling of talent, yet no motor or passion to become a consistent, two-way premier big man.
Ayton is currently averaging 14.8 points and 11.3 rebounds per game during the series against the Los Angeles Clippers. In Game 4, he put up 15 points and 13 rebounds along with two blocks.
His role against the Clippers has been a pivotal one, but his overall lack of intensity in the regular season has lingered over for certain fans and media figures. With the addition of Kevin Durant, much of the speculating world will demand Ayton’s intensity to step up.
With a 3-1 lead, the Suns are primed to finish off the series against the Clippers on Tuesday. If so, a series against the Denver Nuggets will be likely. Denver currently holds a 3-1 lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Ayton’s true test will come against a premier big man in Nikola Jokić. Jokić is a MVP candidate behind Joel Embiid and will certainly pose a formidable force.
