Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton blasted for lack of effort vs. Denver Nuggets: 'Inexcusable'
Many Phoenix Suns fans have been critical of Deandre Ayton's effort and "heart" on the court through the years.
A play during the Suns' 125-107 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 didn't help his cause in quieting his critics.
With just over 5:08 left in the first half, Ayton was shown watching Kevin Durant battle with Nikola Jokic for a rebound … instead of coming to his teammate's aid by trying to secure the rebound himself.
The moment did not go over well on social media, where many used the video of the play to slam Ayton's effort, a recurring theme on social media.
Ayton finished with 14 points and seven rebounds in the game. He went 7-for-11 from the field. But Jokic, whom he was responsible for guarding for a lot of the night, had 24 points and 19 rebounds in the game.
More: Phoenix Suns fans slam Monty Williams for playing Landry Shamet in loss to Denver Nuggets
Social media sounded off on Deandre Ayton's lack of hustle during that Suns vs. Nuggets Game 1 play:
The Suns don’t have much of a chance this series against Denver if Deandre Ayton has moments like this.
Simply inexcusable to watch your teammates fight for a loose ball while standing on the baseline. pic.twitter.com/gD09a1icHe— Evan Sidery (@esidery) April 30, 2023
DA has moments where he looks active and effective and then he has moments where he’s doing this.
The Deandre Ayton experience is an endless rollercoaster ride. pic.twitter.com/VrC1ZGteAy— Suns Are Better (@SunsAreBetter) April 30, 2023
Deandre Ayton is a bundle of energy 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6USnrt7rjN
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) April 30, 2023
What is Deandre Ayton doing 😭 pic.twitter.com/2fayiJBPSJ
— Mink Flow (@currypistonn) April 30, 2023
If Ayton does this one more time his nba contract should be ripped apart
pic.twitter.com/Sl0vrj2GUu— DurantMuse (@Durantmuse) April 30, 2023
Ayton watching from courtside like “damn Jokic big as hell” pic.twitter.com/ZGipvoAYFU
— sreekar (@sreekyshooter) April 30, 2023
Too much just standing around and watching from Ayton. I'm so tired.
— Sam Cooper (@scooperhoops) April 30, 2023
I’m off but this is unacceptable 🤦🏽♂️ Ayton tripping pic.twitter.com/TP6p7nlO9K
— 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘢†☀️ (@Stunna999_) April 30, 2023
The Suns are not a contender if this is the version of Ayton they get — dude is an unserious basketball player.
pic.twitter.com/VaHtoxu9fn— 🦉 Lakers Vino (@VinoUncorked) April 30, 2023
Wth is DeAndre Ayton doing here? Did he forget his job is to get boards? #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/yi4627io3C
— Sweet Lettuce (@Sw33tL3ttuc3) April 30, 2023
DeAndre Ayton gives up on basketball pic.twitter.com/CpR4mzr3cC
— BrickMuse (@BrickMuse) April 30, 2023
Trade Deandre ayton this offseason, im done defending him pic.twitter.com/vQcP0gTbbX
— jeff (@mynameisjefff_1) April 30, 2023
Deandre Ayton keeps this up and Suns gettng swept, horrible effort. pic.twitter.com/x17aJC3fOI
— HTB ♨️ (@HenryTheBlasian) April 30, 2023
All out effort from Ayton in this play. Maybe he loves basketball so much he can’t help to just watch pic.twitter.com/71Oi4Mr3qj
— Three Level Scorer (@3LevelScorer) April 30, 2023
Ayton has become a lightning rod for discussion for Suns fans. Seeing Jokic get 19 rebounds (11 offensive) in the game, while the Suns center only had seven total rebounds (two offensive) is bound to create more chatter around him.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns' Deandre Ayton blasted for lack of effort in Game 1 vs. Nuggets
