Phoenix Suns: New coach, new point guard reasons for excitement
By Adam Noel
2. A big year from Deandre Ayton
This could be it.
The chance for Deandre Ayton to separate himself from the pack. That pack, being the 2018 NBA draft class, a group that has allowed Ayton to pass unnoticed by the masses. That’s something much easier said than done.
Unlike most rookies who have an impressive debut season, Ayton enters this season with little pressure to perform. Sure if he struggles early on, that will call attention, but for the most part Ayton does his best work under the radar.
It’s not the same set of rules that apply to, for example, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young.
If Young has one bad game, everyone loses their mind over what that can mean for his career and demands reasoning for his struggles. If Ayton does the same, few to none blink an eye. For the young player, the advantage then falls to Ayton.
Rather than constantly fielding questions as to his ability to perform, Ayton can focus on what made him the number one overall pick of the 2018 NBA draft. The big man can take his reps and slowly, but surely carve his way into NBA superstardom. The trick being, while others focus on the big names and what they’re doing, Ayton will perfect his craft to the unknowing eye.
And that all starts with his sophomore campaign with the Suns.
Ayton can build off a tremendous rookie year, to take the next leap in his NBA career. The only question being, who’s paying attention to it?