After a brutal playoff elimination, Suns’ C Deandre Ayton opened up about his attitude heading into the new season, along with his feelings towards recent criticism that he has endured.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Ayton, who is from the Bahamas, did an interview with Eyewitness News Bahamas, emphasizing his goal to “change the narrative.”
“I can feel the whole world hating me, in a way, where I think I’m the guy that a lot of people point at, and I see it and feel it. But mainly, what I’ve been working on five to six days a week since we’ve lost is just motivating myself to change the narrative of what people think about me. Because no matter how you put it, I even feel like I have no fans… And I can feel it because the whole world is saying it. And my goal this whole summer is to change the narrative. Just unlock whatever it is and just completely just focus on me and change the whole thing.”
Ayton has played all five seasons of his young career with the Suns. During these years, the 24-year-old has experienced all the highs and lows that basketball can offer. Deandre Ayton is one of only two players remaining from the Suns 2020-2021 season, where they fell short in the NBA Finals.
And despite the constant criticism, Ayton is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, at least from a statistical standpoint. Last year, Ayton averaged 18 PPG, 10 TRB, and started more games than any other player.
Suns’ new head coach, Frank Vogel, has spoken very highly of Deandre Ayton. Vogil strongly believes he can make Ayton an All-Star.
“He’s one of the best two-way centers in the game… I think there’s a lot we can untap offensively with him as well. So, he’s a pivotal part of what we’re going to accomplish this year.”
With new stars popping up on the Suns, Deandre Ayton has quickly become a forgotten name or merely a jersey to blame losses on.
But Ayton is ready to change that narrative this season.
