Since the start of the series against the Clippers, Deandre Ayton does not burst the screen but it is solid with 14.8 points and 11.3 rebounds on average. Above all, for three matches, he has been more present on the rebound.
Because in Game 1, the only one lost by the Suns, the pivot certainly scored 18 points but with 8 rebounds, he had paled against the 15 catches of Ivica Zubac.
“Everyone was on my back for me to rebound. I had to go there more, he tells theAZ-Central. “The physical level has gone up a notch, it’s the playoffs, the contacts are different. You can push the opponents, jump over the players. We climb on your shoulders, as if we were a ladder. I do everything to get the rebound, I’m like that. »
Efforts underlined by Monty Williams, which also have an impact on the attack of Phoenix. “The pressure he puts on the circle, forcing others to defend on him creates opportunities for Devin Booker and Kevin Durant”analyzes the coach.
Deandre Ayton creates his own nickname
The pivot has just played three double-double matches and seems visibly satisfied with his level of play. “I play on both sides of the court. My name is Dominayton. I go to the circle and know that I am focusing attention. This offers spaces for Durant, Booker, Chris Paul. They do the rest. I must be patient. »
This patience is rightly appreciated by his coach. Ayton is not forcing anything in this series and he takes open shots, when Mason Plumlee leaves him at half distance for example or when he grabs an offensive rebound.
“His patience is precious to us”, explains Williams. “He might be frustrated, but he’s not. He is aware of his impact on our victories. It’s phenomenal that he has that mindset. There will be matches where he can score, then others not, where he does something else and gives opportunities to his teammates, like in the last two matches. »
| Deandre Ayton | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2018-19 | PHX | 71 | 31 | 58.5 | 0.0 | 74.6 | 3.1 | 7.1 | 10.3 | 1.8 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 16.3 |
| 2019-20 | PHX | 38 | 33 | 54.6 | 23.1 | 75.3 | 3.9 | 7.6 | 11.5 | 1.9 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 18.2 |
| 2020-21 | PHX | 69 | 31 | 62.6 | 20.0 | 76.9 | 3.3 | 7.2 | 10.5 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 14.5 |
| 2021-22 | PHX | 58 | 30 | 63.4 | 36.8 | 74.6 | 2.6 | 7.7 | 10.2 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 17.2 |
| 2022-23 | PHX | 67 | 30 | 58.9 | 29.2 | 76.0 | 2.6 | 7.4 | 10.0 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 18.0 |
| Total | 303 | 31 | 59.7 | 26.3 | 75.5 | 3.0 | 7.4 | 10.4 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 16.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
