Larry Schweikart
Veteran
I have been highly critical of Ayton. I thought we actually would have been better off saving the money, keeping McGee and Bizzy, and using the money elsewhere.
But over the last two weeks Ayton is starting to play at the level required of a #1 pick. His rebounding has become reliable. He is much more aggressive offensively, especially at establishing position
and demanding the ball. The last part of his game that still needs to come around is his baseline "Olajuwan" 12-foot shot. I've resigned myself that he is not the power player a la Dwight Howard as in someone who can take the hard foul and still dunk the ball. And he still has too many finesse layups for me. But for the most part he has, in my view, climbed to the next level. He won't ever consistently get the 30 points a game that Embid or such centers get because Booker will necessarily get the most shots. But now I think he is absolutely the #2 offensive player on the team.
That said, I'm almost wary of bringing back Paul. The chemistry is so good with this group---and I like Craig starting a lot---that when Johnson is healthy again, I don't want him starting. We need that extra shooter off the bench. Lee has been a pleasant surprise. And although everyone says he can shoot and score, I'm still waiting on Washington to play to that level.
Ultimately, whatever they do with Crowder must be done carefully with an eye to chemistry. I do not think we have missed him defensively or in rebounding. At present, we are one solid scorer off the bench besides Lee (assuming, again, Paul is not in the rotation). And, overall the Suns do appear to be a tougher more physical team this year.
But over the last two weeks Ayton is starting to play at the level required of a #1 pick. His rebounding has become reliable. He is much more aggressive offensively, especially at establishing position
and demanding the ball. The last part of his game that still needs to come around is his baseline "Olajuwan" 12-foot shot. I've resigned myself that he is not the power player a la Dwight Howard as in someone who can take the hard foul and still dunk the ball. And he still has too many finesse layups for me. But for the most part he has, in my view, climbed to the next level. He won't ever consistently get the 30 points a game that Embid or such centers get because Booker will necessarily get the most shots. But now I think he is absolutely the #2 offensive player on the team.
That said, I'm almost wary of bringing back Paul. The chemistry is so good with this group---and I like Craig starting a lot---that when Johnson is healthy again, I don't want him starting. We need that extra shooter off the bench. Lee has been a pleasant surprise. And although everyone says he can shoot and score, I'm still waiting on Washington to play to that level.
Ultimately, whatever they do with Crowder must be done carefully with an eye to chemistry. I do not think we have missed him defensively or in rebounding. At present, we are one solid scorer off the bench besides Lee (assuming, again, Paul is not in the rotation). And, overall the Suns do appear to be a tougher more physical team this year.
