Deandre Ayton, the big man for the Phoenix Suns, isn’t having the best of times in the Denver Nuggets series.
He hasn’t had it easy, and Suns head coach Monty Williams is responding to that.
He didn’t like being benched for the Suns late in Game 3 because it bothered him.
Jock Landale earned accolades from Monty Williams for working hard to assist his side win.
Deandre Ayton exited the arena before the Suns locker room opened to media. Monty Williams had high praise for Jock Landale s effort. https://t.co/ZILIkcuNMD
Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 6, 2023
In response to this choice, several fans criticized Ayton for his lack of focus on the court.
He wanted to leave last year. Him and Monty don t get along. The Suns matched his restricted offer instead of letting him go. Basically holding him hostage. He should be playing with more effort though regardless.
Veeno (@kevsallen) May 6, 2023
Ayton needs to grow up and film study these two for the next 48 hours.. pic.twitter.com/XLN258WseB
The 600lb Guerrilla (@mrkillbill78) May 6, 2023
Suns made the mistake of matching the qualifying offer with the pacers. They should have let him go to the pacers if this is the type of attitude he has.
Alex (43-39)(19-14)(Ecstatic LAL Fan) (@Fire__Monkey23) May 6, 2023
Ayton got the entitlement of superstar and the effort of a dude who’s mom sent him to ymca to get some excercise.
(@rocketrandhawa) May 6, 2023
This upset the player, who even left Chris Paul hanging as the point guard attempted to uplift him.
Deandre Ayton left Chris Paul hanging twice after getting pulled for Jock Landale in the 4th quarter of Game 3.
He also exited the arena quickly before media were allowed in, per @espn_mcmahon
( via @eliavgabay)pic.twitter.com/VHbpKNLYgX
ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 6, 2023
The Suns probably struggled with this choice, but it was the right one.
The squad must make the necessary modifications for Ayton to play at his best against the Nuggets.
Kevin O’Connor released an 11-second clip that sums up his Game 3 experience to a T.
Rough sequence for Deandre Ayton:
-Can’t finish against Jamal Murray at the rim
-Gets stripped after a rebound
-Slow to recover on Nikola Jokic’s shot pic.twitter.com/EGk4lkw8BRKevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 6, 2023
Fortunately, Devin Booker’s 47 points and Kevin Durant’s 39 points helped the Suns prevail.
Ayton was anticipated to play a significant role in the series, and with Chris Paul injured, he is anticipated to play a bigger part.
Ayton doesn’t appear to be doing anything to become better, and it seems like his participation is decreasing.
If the center doesn’t step up, his playing time can continue to decrease.
The Suns are prepared to win Game 4 as well, but the Nuggets will struggle to keep up with the Nuggets without Ayton performing as he should.
NEXT:
Skip Bayless Praises Kevin Durant After Game 3 Performance