Sacramento Kings: The pros and cons of drafting Deandre Ayton No. 2

Con No. 3: Ayton’s not a good rim protector

Looking at his numbers, it’s hard to see how exactly Ayton isn’t a good rim protector after averaging 1.9 blocks per game this past season.

That would’ve ranked third in the NBA behind only Anthony Davis, Kristaps Porzingis and Rudy Gobert, three of the best rim protectors in the game.

There’s a difference, though, between being a good rim protector and a shot-blocker.

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Rim protectors deter opponents away from the basket by making it difficult to convert inside. Or, if they are challenged, guys like Davis and Gobert do a fantastic job of contesting the shot without fouling, which almost always leads to a missed shot.

Shot-blockers aren’t always considered great rim protectors. Rather, they have great instincts in spurts which allows them to accumulate high block totals.

Despite his shot-blocking ability, Ayton is the latter — capable of swatting shots, but unable to consistently protect his own basket.

This goes back to his motor. Ayton has the tools and instinct to be a great shot-blocker, but in order to become an elite rim protector, those instincts, as well as discipline, have to be there on a consistent basis.

That means maybe not trying to block every shot, and instead using the rule of verticality to disrupt the opposition on their way to the basket. It means being aware of where the ball is at all times.

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Ayton could go on to have a long and prosperous career as a terrible rim protector, but as we’ve seen with other all-time greats, they’re never satisfied no matter how good their game is.