AYTON TRADED!

Chaplin

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I'm not sure I would label DA as a "bust". He never reached his ceiling with us, and he still may in Portland. He was actually really good in spurts but the stuff between his ears was the problem.

I would say he's the most disappointing Sun of all time, but I don't think I'd call him a bust.

EDIT: IMO, we need to get away from always talking in absolutes. Me thinking DA is the biggest disappointment doesn't mean I feel that he's the biggest "bust" ever.
 
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Superbone

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I'm not sure I would label DA as a "bust". He never reached his ceiling with us, and he still may in Portland. He was actually really good in spurts but the stuff between his ears was the problem.

I would say he's the most disappointing Sun of all time, but I don't think I'd call him a bust.
Yeah, I think that's the right way to look at it. He's a good player but not a great one living up to his potential or draft pick position although that wasn't his choice even if he insisted on it (draft position). And then the fact that we missed out on a generational talent, as much as we can't stand him now, factors in as well but that's on Sarver and McD.
 

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OK, I saw this. Had to post it. I really wish DA would have worked out here.

Charmin filed a lawsuit today against the city of Phoenix for associating Ayton with their brand. When asked for the reason why they said "We're not that soft."
 

Covert Rain

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I'm not sure I would label DA as a "bust". He never reached his ceiling with us, and he still may in Portland. He was actually really good in spurts but the stuff between his ears was the problem.

I would say he's the most disappointing Sun of all time, but I don't think I'd call him a bust.

EDIT: IMO, we need to get away from always talking in absolutes. Me thinking DA is the biggest disappointment doesn't mean I feel that he's the biggest "bust" ever.
This. Ayton is not a bust. He is a guy that came with high expectations to be a cornerstone of a franchise and never lived up to that. He is still a good player but doesn't look like he will live up to being the #1 pick. Statistically (which I have posted many times) he is on pace to finish with numbers that are anything but a bust. Biggest disappointment? Sure.
 

JCSunsfan

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True, but only about half have panned out that way (in recent years). Even at #1, it's hard to get it right.
Very young players don't always turn out the way you expect. The NBA's fixation with younger is better hurts the draft. Younger is more of a gamble, plain and simple.
 
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Covert Rain

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True, but only about half have panned out that way (in recent years). Even at #1, it's hard to get it right.
Most franchises would take a coin flip in a hear beat though. The statistics degrade quickly after the first 3 picks.
 

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I love how the dude claims Ayton was "pigeonholed" into catching lobs and collecting put backs here. What he described other than that was spot on. That's who Ayton was here.
 

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Oh, my. This is fantastic.

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I love how the dude claims Ayton was "pigeonholed" into catching lobs and collecting put backs here. What he described other than that was spot on. That's who Ayton was here.

But hey, he's teaching these young guys to win.
 

JCSunsfan

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So. Watching Nurkic. At least he does not seem to play like he is afraid of other NBA bigs. Ayton often seemed to play like he was afraid of another player. Not fear of physicality, more like just fear of looking bad. Kinda like he knew he wasn't as good and was hoping no one would notice.
 

BirdGangThing

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So. Watching Nurkic. At least he does not seem to play like he is afraid of other NBA bigs. Ayton often seemed to play like he was afraid of another player. Not fear of physicality, more like just fear of looking bad. Kinda like he knew he wasn't as good and was hoping no one would notice.
I think we're playing the Blazers next too - should be a very interesting game
 

Raindog

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Ayton often seemed to play like he was afraid of another player. Not fear of physicality, more like just fear of looking bad.
Yeah, I always noticed that about him, too. I don't believe he was physically intimidated by anyone. It was always more that he was afraid of looking bad by missing a shot or making a mistake, which in turn made him hesitant and tentative. You can tell that by guys who try to "cozy" their shots into the basket rather than just shooting more naturally.

It makes me wonder to what degree the way he was being coached affected his psyche and his assertiveness. There did seem to be some of that underlying fear of failure some people have that ironically limits their ability to succeed.
 

Proximo

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I love how the dude claims Ayton was "pigeonholed" into catching lobs and collecting put backs here. What he described other than that was spot on. That's who Ayton was here.
That is funny.

What possible reason would the Suns have to pigenhole him if he was capable of doing more? I suppose they are going off Ayton's story that Monty was holding him back.

Of course we know better, the games where we tried to force feed him the ball never really worked, but you wouldn't know that if you hadn't watched a lot of Suns games.
 

Proximo

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So. Watching Nurkic. At least he does not seem to play like he is afraid of other NBA bigs. Ayton often seemed to play like he was afraid of another player. Not fear of physicality, more like just fear of looking bad. Kinda like he knew he wasn't as good and was hoping no one would notice.
True, but he looks out of control at times too.

I guess leaning toward over aggressiveness is superior to being timid for the most part.
 

JCSunsfan

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Yeah, I always noticed that about him, too. I don't believe he was physically intimidated by anyone. It was always more that he was afraid of looking bad by missing a shot or making a mistake, which in turn made him hesitant and tentative. You can tell that by guys who try to "cozy" their shots into the basket rather than just shooting more naturally.

It makes me wonder to what degree the way he was being coached affected his psyche and his assertiveness. There did seem to be some of that underlying fear of failure some people have that ironically limits their ability to succeed.
He did have some nights where he was feeling it, and the fear sort of drained away, but it always came back.
 
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