Just another solid outing from DA tonight (17 pts, 8 rebs, 2 blks on 8/11 shooting.

​On the season, he is now averaging 15.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks while shooting a career-high 71% from the field.
​He has proven to be an excellent addition to this squad, especially for a measly $8M.

It’s funny because when we first got him, I was genuinely terrified about his motor and effort issues. But that fear has completely turned into confidence. Now, I just trust him to go out there, do his part, and give us a solid performance on both ends of the floor.

​Keep up the good work, DA!

17 comments

  2. JJ really showed that Ayton is still a beast but needed love and support to help him out of the narrative that the league labeled him as. Genuinely touching seeing the coaching staff and players have his back and rooting for him while he’s playing some of his most efficient, selfless, and aggressive basketball.

  4. With GREAT defence too.

    He has been PERFECT for us, unless you want him to shoot 3s too lol.

  5. I’m not kidding when I say Ayton is the only guy in the league who could make a Wilson ball blush. Every time he dribbles, the seams just… shiver. Every time he goes for a layup, the rim moans like it’s been waiting its whole sad life for him. His hands are so soft he could touch a cactus and the cactus would probably feel insecure.

    Sometimes I watch him practice and I just… I don’t even know. I’m sitting in my room in my underwear, eating dry cereal straight from the box, and that ball is getting treated better than I ever will. It’s probably giggling when he bounces it. Me? I’m over here dribbling on my carpet, pretending it’s Ayton noticing me.

    Honestly, I’ve stopped pretending I matter. If Ayton ever walked into my apartment and looked at my wife, I’d just… step aside. Like, please sir, take care of her, she deserves it. He’d love her better than I ever could. And me? I’d just sit in the corner, quietly crying, thinking about how the same guy whose hands make basketballs feel alive could probably fix my entire pathetic life while I rot here.

  6. Luka-AR-Ayton should be our core for the next 5-10 years 

    After those 3, we have to replicate a 2023-24 Mavs approach and surround them with defense and switch-ability. Let’s just hope Thiero is OG reincarnated

  9. Lowkey I think JJ coaching his kids teams helped him with his transition to the NBA. Purely from an EQ standpoint. He seems to be elite at managing guys by tapping into what makes them tick first. He connects with the human.

  10. Ayton’s impact to the overall offense is understated. He gets so many high-percentage FG attempts and creates so much gravity which opens everything up for the team. His little middy is pretty automatic too.

  11. Rui had the incredibly clutch bucket to win us the game, but I’ve seen very few people talk about the great defensive play DeAndre made the possession before on Ingram’s drive to the basket with the score tied. If Ingram scores there’s a totally different level of pressure on the last possession and likely in the type of play the Lakers run. DeAndre’s defensive play was simply huge.

  13. I’m no oracle and I have plenty of bad takes…. But I kept saying if DA just comes to this team and continues to just be what he’s always been (15 & 10 guy) he would shine on this team.

    It’s a perfect example of fit and opportunity being king here. We had a Deandre Ayton sized hole on this team. He’s doing what he’s always done but it’s just more noticeable on this team.

    Let’s go DA!!

  15. Appreciate what he’s doing, but I’d love it even more if he wouldn’t avoid so much contact and go after rebounds. I want to see more effort on the boards like he did in the NO game. This team needs 10+ rbs a game from him.

  16. Drafted him in my Fantasy Team. He was amazing at PHX and has the skills and talent and work ethic. He needed to get his butt in gear and develop the confidence that he can play and belongs. Glad he’s thriving finally!

  17. He hasn’t been terrible even tho it took him a min, I just like the offense better with Jaxson Hayes on the floor. It’s like he brings more energy

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