NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Portland Trail Blazers made a trade for Deandre Ayton and let’s just say, they should want a do-over. With Damian Lillard off to Milwaukee, the Blazers threw in the towel for any contention for a playoff berth this season. Now, it’s about development and trade assets.
Ayton should be the focal point of this offense but that falls on the shoulders of Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons. Both players are putting up 20+ points per night averages while Ayton is just watching from the post. What’s the issue here?
Things didn’t go smoothly during his time with the Phoenix Suns. He appeared to be a good fit but he did it see eye to eye with the coaching staff. After signing him to a new deal, they then turned around and shipped him out of town. New team, new beginnings, right? Well, that’s not the case here. In fact, Ayton’s game has taken a step in the wrong direction. But the question is, who’s to blame?
Deandre Ayton has the tools to be a dominant big in the NBA but he just hasn’t found the right fit. The Suns were all about perimeter play and the same goes for the young Blazers. Grant is a stretch 4 who loves the jump shot. Simons is a score-first guard who will hoists 3’s the same way Ayton grabs rebounds.
Is Deandre Ayton A Bust
Simons averages 19.8 shots per game. Grant is right behind him with 16.9. Then you have Shaedon Sharpe and his 14.0 per game. That’s three starters and the Blazers are already at over 50 shots. To add more salt to the wound, Ayton and his 10.4 still falls behind reserve Malcolm Brogdon and his 13.3, and the rookie Scoot Henderson who takes 11.4. So why isn’t Autom getting more looks?
While not in the same category as Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic, that doesn’t mean that Ayton is a complete waste. On the season he’s averaging just 12.6 points per game to go along with 10.7 rebounds. How many teams, especially in the Western Conference have a big that can contend with Ayton? So his absence from the offense is mind-boggling.
Will The Portland Trail Blazers Change
Imagine how good this offense could be if they included him in it. Now, this is not putting all the blame on the other players or coaches. Some of it falls on the shoulders of Ayton. He does tend to sulk when things are not going his way. While he does possess a few moves on the blocks, he doesn’t help himself much when it’s time to assert himself. Take into account that as a big, he only averages 1 FTA a game. How is that with his size?
When the ball does make its way into his hands, Ayton needs to operate. Kicking it back out means that he won’t see it again. He does avenge 3.2 offensive rebounds. With his size and ability, coupled with the Portland Trail Blazers in sort of a rebuild mode, they need to rethink how their offense flows.
With just a handful of victories on the year, it may be time to change the attack. If not, what was the purpose of getting Ayton in a trade and taking on his contract if you’re not going to use him correctly?
