Suns' DeAndre Ayton emerging as one of the NBA's best young big men
Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic breaks down DeAndre Ayton's development and standout play in his first NBA postseason experience.
USA TODAY
MILWAUKEE If only family and friends could engage with NBA players at games the same way they did before the pandemic.
Perhaps then former Los Angeles Lakers player and team broadcaster Mychal Thompson might be here so he could embrace Phoenix Suns third-year center Deandre Ayton before playing the Milwaukee Bucks in Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals. After all, Thompson often greeted Ayton before the Suns played the Lakers to further cement their bond as native Bahamians.
"I tell him how proud I am of him and to keep going," Thompson told USA TODAY Sports. "Hes the greatest player weve ever had from the Bahamas."
Ayton and Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield represent the lone current NBA players born in the Bahamas, but Hield has never appeared in the playoffs. Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, one of Mychals sons, has won three NBA titles and shattered numerous shooting records, but he was born in Los Angeles. Ayton and Mychal Thompson have the strongest connection to the Bahamas.
"He will be the main sports ambassador in the Bahamas for the next 15 years," Thompson said of Ayton. "He has that kind of potential to represent the Bahamas and carry the flag for the Bahamas in sports for the next 15 years. I expect him to."
Ayton and Thompson are the only Bahamian-born players to play in the NBA Finals. They are also the only Bahamian-born players to be selected No. 1 in the NBA draft. But as Thompson stressed, "I dont compare to him." Thompson, who won two NBA championships in three Finals appearances with the Lakers (1987, 1988, 1991), predicted Ayton will collect more rings than him. Thompson, who had a 12-year NBA career with Portland, San Antonio and the Lakers (1978-1991), predicted Ayton will have a much more substantial rsum than his.
"Hes going to become a multiple-time All-Star," Thompson said. "Hes going to be a Hall-of-Famer. So hes the best basketball player weve ever produced in the islands."
BOOKER: Stayingfresh to carry a heavy workload against Bucks
WILLIAMS: Evolution as a coach has led Suns to the NBA Finals
BUCKS: GM built team to compete for titles with methodical process
Thompson considers Ayton to be the NBAs third-best center behind the Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid and the Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic, who won this years regular-season MVP. The 22-year-old Ayton reminds Thompson of San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson, who collected two NBA titles, an NBA Defensive Player of the Year award and 10 All-Star nods during a 14-year career (1989-2003).
"He can run the floor, block shots and has a nice mid-range game like Robinson," Thompson said of Ayton. "He just has everything that David Robinson had at that age. If he keeps progressing and staying hungry and healthy like hes showing, he can get to that level."
Aytons eyes lit up and his smile widened when he learned about Thompsons praise of his current skills and long-term trajectory.
"That's big time," Ayton said. "All I have to do is make sure I put my head down and make sure I keep working. With wins, individual accolades come. I just have to keep working and keep winning."
The Suns and Ayton are heading in that direction.
Phoenix has a 2-0 Finals series lead against Milwaukee entering Game 3 on Sunday after dispatching last years NBA champions (Lakers), the team with this years MVP (Nuggets) and another championship contender (Clippers). Ayton has become one of seven players in NBA history to have 12 double-doubles in their first 17 career playoff games. He also has recorded an NBA playoff record for the highest field-goal percentage through that same sample size (71.1%).
With his native country celebrating its Independence Day on Saturday, Ayton conceded that his current motivations go beyond winning his first NBA championship. It also traces back to how Ayton wants to honor the Bahamas.
"There's a lot of people back home supporting me and watching," Ayton said. "I want to put on a show for them and make sure this thing happens. Every game I'm going, I'm bringing the Bahamas with me."
Thompson saw at an early age that Ayton could inspire his home country.
Thompson first met Ayton as a 12-year-old when he visited the Jeff Rogers celebrity camp in Nassau, Bahamas, when Klay Thompson also attended following his rookie season (2012-13). After marveling at the attention Klay received, Ayton aspired to follow his path. By that point, Mychal did not notice anything particular about Aytons game that suggested stardom. But considering Ayton already stood 6-4, Mychal sensed it would still happen.
"We knew he had a future because of his size and his love of the game," Thompson said. "We knew if he continued to grow, he would have a nice future in basketball."
Thompson predicted correctly. Ayton moved to San Diego to study and play basketball at Balboa City School. He then played two more years at Hillcrest Prep Academy in Phoenix, which led to the University of Arizona giving him a scholarship. He then set a program and Pac-12 record for most double-doubles (25) along with Pac-12 Player of the Year honors. It's no wonder the Suns selected Ayton with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft.
Why Booker-Ayton are not the next Shaq-Kobe (and why that's a good thing)
USA TODAY Sports NBA reporter Mark Medina explains why Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton are not the next Shaq-Kobe duo and why that's probably a good thing long-term for the Suns.
Sports Seriously, USA TODAY
As Ayton grew in height and stature, Thompson occasionally gave Ayton what he called "words of wisdom."
"The only thing I told him when he was in high school was stay humble and just be willing to listen and work hard," Thompson said. "You could tell that he was eager to play. So I didnt have to give much advice. He had good people advising him already and a good family. He had all the support he needed."
Therefore, Thompson did not become worried with some of the hiccups Ayton experienced once he entered the NBA.
Ayton sparked immediate comparisons to others in his draft class, including Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young. Though Ayton plays a different position, questions emerged on whether the Suns would have been better off selecting either guard instead. After all, the Suns had failed to make the playoffs since 2010.
Ayton also sparked questions about his consistent production and commitment. Though the Suns have always praised Ayton for his play and attitude, they conceded he still faced a learning curve with how he trained on the practice court, weight room and film room. Ayton faced a 25-game suspension to open the 2019-20 season for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug program after testing positive for a diuretic.
"Hes a great kid. I wasnt worried about him at all," Thompson said. "Hes got such a good strong family structure behind him and such good coaches around him. So I knew he was going to be fine."
Thompson often resisted peppering him with too much feedback. He credited Suns guards Chris Paul and Devin Booker for both demanding and encouraging Ayton to elevate his game. He praised Suns coach Monty Williams for empowering Ayton with constructive feedback, some of which was recently captured in the Suns Game 2 win over the Buck.
Yet, Thompson argued that more could be done to bring out the best in Ayton.
Suns vs. Bucks: What does each team need to do to win NBA Finals?
SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' NBA Roundtable breaks down the NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks and one big key for each team in the series.
SportsPulse, USA TODAY
"Sometimes he gets ignored too much, and the Suns dont tap into his fuel that he has in the paint," Thompson said. "This guy is unstoppable in the paint as he has been showing. So they got to treat him like hes a hyper giant star."
They did so when Ayton threw down a game-winning lob off an inbounds pass with 0.7 seconds left in a Game 2 win over the Clippers. Thompson likened that play to when former Chicago Bulls forward Toni Kukoc and former Lakers guard Derek Fisher made winning shots in playoff games off inbounds passes with little time left on the clock. Otherwise, Ayton still has cemented career-lows this season in points (14.6) and shot attempts (10.5) because of the teams depth.
"They have such a dynamic backcourt and outside shooters that sometimes you can fall in love with the 3 and not realize the weapon that you have in the paint," Thompson said. "Its a delicate balance that the Suns need to concentrate on. Deandre is so skilled in the paint with his jump hook and his turnaround shots."
Despite the bullishness on Aytons potential, even Thompson has his limits.
He conceded uncertainty on whether Ayton could supplant Embiid and Jokic soon as the NBAs best center.
"Embiid and Jokic are pretty special, but Deandre can push them," Thompson said. "He can push them for that honor. From now on, he should be no worse than the third-best center going forward for the next few years with a chance to get on that second or first team."
He also sounded skeptical on whether Aytons career would end with comparisons to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Hakeem Olajuwon or Shaquille ONeal.
"I hope so, but those are lofty levels," Thompson said. "Youre talking about five of the greatest ever there. But hes going to be a Hall-of-Famer. No question about it. How great he wants to be is up to him on how hungry he wants to be and how hard he wants to work."
Ayton has wanted to work hard partly to make Thompson proud.
"He's been holding it down for me, supporting me all the way to here," Ayton said. "Hes keeping me in high spirits."
Meanwhile, Thompson sounded in high spirits when talking about Ayton and the influence he has had on him.
"For him to even acknowledge me and know who I am is very flattering," Thompson said. "Its a huge accomplishment. Hes already exceeded anything Ive ever done at this age. At 22, I was in college trying to figure out the next test I was going to have. To see him at 22? Hes two wins away from an NBA championship and is one of the main reasons why. He has far exceeded anything that Ive ever done and will have ever done in basketball."
Follow USA TODAY NBA writer Mark Medina on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Sign up for USA TODAY's various subscription deals.
Link:
- Mixed fortunes for USA and France in 4x400m heats at WRE Bahamas 24 | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Olympic qualification the main goal for global stars in Nassau | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- World Athletics Inside Track Podcast back in The Bahamas | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- How to watch Wayde van Niekerk live on 4-5 May at the World Athletics Relays 2024 in Nassau, Bahamas - Olympics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- JJ McCarthy And His Viral Fiance Are Currently Dominating The Bahamas - Outkick - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- World Relays in Bahamas includes Bailey, Peoples, and Holmes - Razorbacks Arkansas - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24: Preview, schedule, track stars to watch and how to follow the event live - Olympics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- What To Watch At The 2024 World Relays In Nassau, Bahamas - CITIUS Mag - Citius Mag - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- WRE Bahamas 24 preview: Netherlands and USA seek more 4x400m success | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- EVERYTHING READY FOR THE BAHAMAS 2024 WORLD ATHLETICS RELAY - Panam Sports - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Former FTX Executive Ryan Salame Agrees to Forfeit $5.9 Million Bahamas House in Plea Agreement - Blockchain.News - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- USA's Paris Olympics Tickets Almost Snatched Away From Men's 4x400m Team After Suffering DQ at Bahamas Relays - EssentiallySports - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Airline debuts service between PBIA and Abaco, Bahamas - WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Is Sha'Carri Richardson Running at World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24? Everything We Know about Team USA's Lineup - EssentiallySports - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Canadian men's 4x100 relay team races to silver in World Athletic Relays in Bahamas - CBC.ca - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- World Relays make a triumphant return to the Bahamas - Trackalerts.com, track and field news website - Trackalerts - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Margaritaville Bahamas cruise offers trips to Key West fall of 2024 - Palm Beach Post - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Lewis, Charlton and Hughes join Inside Track Podcast | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Former FTX Executive to Give Up Bahamas Property Worth $5.9 Million - The Tech Report - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- The Most Expensive Home in The Bahamas Just Sold for a Record $40 Million - Robb Report - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Bahamas: Contest for leadership of opposition party heats up | Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Disney Cruise Line details the Junkanoo theme at new Bahamas destination - Travel Weekly - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- WRE Bahamas 24 preview: rivalries renewed in women's 4x100m | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Bahamas Mixed Relay squad punches ticket to Paris Olympics | Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- World Relays start today in Bahamas | Sports - Jamaica Gleaner - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- World Relays are happening this weekend in the Bahamas - Athletics Illustrated - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 set to showcase star-studded cast ahead of Paris Olympics - caribbeannationalweekly.com - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- J.J. McCarthy, Fiancee Enjoying Vacation In The Bahamas - The Spun - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- "GROSS OVERSIGHT:" BAAAs apologizes for naming of "Haiti-Bahamas All-Star team" - EyeWitness News - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- WRE Bahamas 24 preview: clash of global title-winning teams in men's 4x100m | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Cruise bound for Bahamas rerouted to Boston because of storm - CBS Boston - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Cruise ship originally headed for Bahamas to stop in Portland due to storm - NewsCenterMaine.com WCSH-WLBZ - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Inside Lionel Richie's Star-Studded 'Dancing on the Sand' Weekend In the Bahamas - PEOPLE - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- 7 Top-Rated Bahamas All-Inclusive Resorts You Should Book - TheTravel - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- December Cruise To Bahamas Rerouted To Canada - Jalopnik - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Alaska Airlines starts flying to the Bahamas from Seattle and Los Angeles - The Points Guy - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- You Can Now Fly Nonstop From Los Angeles to Nassau, The Bahamas - Caribbean Journal - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- THE BAHAMAS AND ALASKA AIRLINES CELEBRATE FIRST-EVER NONSTOP ROUTES CONNECTING WEST ... - Yahoo Finance - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Cruise ship originally en route to Bahamas docks in Boston due to weather - CBS Boston - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Cruise Ship Originally En Route To Bahamas Docks In Boston Due To Weather - Patch - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Alaska Airlines Launches First-Ever Routes to Guatemala and the Bahamas - Business Traveler USA - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Kickin' It With Q: Cowgirls in the Bahamas (E.5) - Oklahoma State Athletics - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas hotel resort review - The Week - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- A Black Girl's Guide To Celebrating Junkanoo In Bahamas - Refinery29 - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- The Bahamas and Alaska Airlines Celebrate First-Ever Nonstop Routes - eTurboNews | eTN - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Live from AMERICANAFEST 2023: Brennen Leigh & Bahamas : World Cafe Words and Music Podcast - NPR - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- World Series of Poker Paradise part of growing sports scene in Bahamas - Fox News - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- TCI young men performing well at Blazer Elite Sports Academy in The Bahamas - Turks and Caicos Sun - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Royal Caribbean Closes In on New Resort in Freeport, Bahamas - Cruise Hive - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Bahamas: Spilligate'23 concert featuring Burna Boy postponed - St Vincent Times - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Snaresbrook Manor is a Luxury Oasis in Governor's Harbour Bahamas - stupidDOPE.com - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- KU falls to Bahamas in rematch, 87-81 - KUsports - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Lindsay Shiver's alleged Bahamas lover downplays plot to kill husband - New York Post - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- 5 Reasons To Visit This Lesser-Known Island In The Bahamas - Travel Off Path - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Ohio or the Bahamas? This kayaking paradise has crystal clear water - 614NOW - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Eric Gordon to reportedly represent Team Bahamas - Eurohoops - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Sebastian Walcott Is the Rangers'and the Bahamas'Future - D Magazine - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- These Are The 10 Best Things To Do On Grand Bahama Island - TheTravel - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- WHAT'S NEW IN THE BAHAMAS IN AUGUST 2023 - PR Newswire - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Deandre Ayton, Kai Jones to rep The Bahamas at Olympic qualifiers ... - Loop News Caribbean - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Reliving the Legend: Michael Jordan's Bahamas Pick-Up Trash-Talk ... - Landon Buford - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- For Mayor Adams, Any Day Has the Makings of Flag Day - The New York Times - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- MAKING HISTORY: 80-member team named for the CARIFTA Games - March 31st, 2023 [March 31st, 2023]
- Bahamas geography, maps, climate, environment and terrain from Bahamas ... - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Bahamas | Culture, Facts & Travel | - CountryReports - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Bahamas government structure and political parties. - CountryReports - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Is Bahamas a poor country? | - CountryReports - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Bahamas Population and Demographics from Bahamas | - CountryReports - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Bahamas interception of sea-borne Cuban migrants jumps in 2022 - January 17th, 2023 [January 17th, 2023]
- Bahamas national football team - Wikipedia - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- LeBron James Sipped Champagne and Vodka All Night Alongside Katy Perry in Crazy Bahamas Party in 2010 - EssentiallySports - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Hidden Worlds and The Islands of The Bahamas Bringing Awareness to Ocean Conservation - South Florida Caribbean News - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- 'Smoking a big spliff in the Bahamas': Nick's 10-year plan, and why his 'secret weapon' has him high on life - The Roar - December 23rd, 2022 [December 23rd, 2022]
- SBF's parents visited Bahamas prison where he's in custody - Business Insider - December 18th, 2022 [December 18th, 2022]
- Alex Rodriguez and Jaclyn Cordeiro share Instagram video of their stunning private vacation in the Northeastern Bahamas - Sportskeeda - December 12th, 2022 [December 12th, 2022]
- @realGeorgeHotz More Than Just a Polycule in the Bahamas, That's for Sure! - Latest Tweet by Elon Musk - LatestLY - December 12th, 2022 [December 12th, 2022]
- Bahamas' Attorney General Defends Country's Regulatory Regime Amid FTX 'Debacle' - CoinDesk - November 30th, 2022 [November 30th, 2022]
- Dayton regroups with two home games this week after 0-3 finish in Bahamas - Dayton Daily News - November 30th, 2022 [November 30th, 2022]
- The Bahamas' Club Med Columbus Set To Reopen This Month - TravelPulse - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- UH, U of the Bahamas partner in island sustainability, disaster risk reduction | University of Hawaii System News - University of Hawaii - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]