Ayton's defense improved by leaps and bounds but he's still so incredibly frustrating because the production doesn't equal the tools. At his size, length and vertical how can he only block 1.2 shots per game? DBPM was 0 this year, he was negative the first 2 years so he improved but VanGundy was right last night the whole night he was out of position he wasn't walling up in front of Giannis. Giannis is a phenom Ayton certainly isn't the only guy in the NBA who can't guard him but you can live with a guy who's trying to do the right things and Giannis is just too good, but many times that wasn't the case. There's one play last night that typifies it for me they miss, Giannis gets rebound and goes in and powers to the basket for a layup. Ayton is on the other side of the paint, feet from Giannis, and never takes a single step to go over and try and challenge the shot he just stands there looking. they showed the replay to show how hard Giannis was playing and all I can think is the contrast is startling, Ayton never moved. Athletically they're pretty similar, but Giannis plays as hard as anybody in the league and Ayton drifts. Great rebounder, got much better, but at a certain point if he can't learn to play harder he's going to continue to frustrate.
I think he's got one year left on his rookie deal but I think its' going to be interesting to see what happens to Bamba in Orlando. no offense but he blocks more shots than Ayton in about half the minutes and he's just scratching the surface. Would be a great backup to develop but my guess is after they traded Vucevic they probably won't let Bamba go.