Phoenix Suns value Deandre Ayton's contributions in building 3-1 series lead over Clippers
Suns coach Monty Williams has repeatedly said Deandre Ayton is finding ways to “impact winning” in this first round series against the Clippers.
Ayton didn’t sound so certain about that after the team's Game 4 victory Saturday in Los Angeles to give Phoenix a 3-1 series lead over the Clippers.
“I don’t know, I really don’t know what I do every night,” Ayton said after Game 4. “I just do what I got drafted for, rebounding. That’s about it. Got to protect the rim. Other than that, yeah, I guess. Try to play hard, man. Try to play hard.”
Two days and a conversation with Williams later, Ayton was more upbeat after Monday’s practice about how he’s impacted the series going into Tuesday’s Game 5 at Footprint Center.
“That’s ‘Dominayton,’ man,” said Ayton, using a hybrid off his last name and "domination."
"That's Dominayton."
Deandre Ayton on impacting games in #Clippers series with screening and rebounding. #Suns pic.twitter.com/s4rTvd8Y4H— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 24, 2023
“Just being a presence on both ends of the floor. Me rolling to the basket, I know that brings so much attention to the rim and so many guys load up on me when I’m rolling to the basket or anywhere around the basket,'' he said. "It gives those guys spaces like KD (Kevin Durant), Chris (Paul) and Book (Devin Booker), they do the rest. Just give them the space and they got it. Just being patient, playing circle ball.”
Averaging 14.8 points on 54.2% shooting and 11.3 rebounds in this series, Ayton has posted a double-double in the last three games of this series, all won by the Suns.
“He was just talking about his ability is have to be patient so that he knows what they’re doing and he can react and that is a great value for us,” Williams said.
“He could be frustrated, but he wasn’t. He understands his impact on winning and I just think it’s phenomenal that he’s of that mindset and understands that there’s going to be games where he scores and there’s going to be games where he’s doing what he did in the last two games, where he’s creating a lot of opportunities with space underneath the basket for other people.”
"I just think it's phenomenal to have that mindset."
Monty Williams on Deandre Ayton showing patience. #Suns #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ccsUqVZ6Yk— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 24, 2023
Ayton later addressed the notion he lacks a motor, as his critics have come out in high volume on his play in the series.
“Motor, come on,” Ayton said. “I play both ends of the floor. My name is ‘Dominayton.’ I anchor the Phoenix Suns on both ends the floor. Motor? Really? You want to talk about motor, man. Nope, I run on Tesla battery. Fully charged.”
More: Phoenix Suns fans slam Deandre Ayton after Game 3 vs. Clippers: 'You’re better than this'
Ayton had 18 points in Game 1, but he grabbed just eight rebounds with only three coming in the first half of last week’s loss. Clippers big Ivica Zubac had 11 rebounds in the first half, 15 for the game.
That didn’t go over well with his teammates.
“Everybody was cursing me out to rebound,” Ayton said.
Facts.
“I think he just hears it from a little bit of everybody,” Booker said. “It’s a collective group, but both ways, though, too. We hear from him, too. We hear everybody out on this team. We all have the same objective and that’s to win the game. It’s important to communicate.”
Ayton even joked that his two-year old son of the same name gave him an earful about it, but he has responded in averaging 12.3 boards in the last three games of the series
“Just crash a little bit more,” said Ayton, as he has a total of 12 offensive rebounds in the latter three games after not accounting for one offensive board in Game 1.
“The physicality turned up a little bit more. It’s the playoffs. I love the playoffs, but the contact is a little bit different. You get to push guys around and you get to jump over people. People climbing up on your shoulders like you’re a ladder. Doing anything to get a rebound and that’s the type of player I am. Just turned up a notch.”
Along with rebounding, Ayton continues to set specific screens to help free up Paul, Booker and Durant, three guys who utilize and manipulate them in different ways.
“Just being a force,” Booker said. “He’s been able to do that. Big offensive rebounds late in games, setting great screens with great angles. It’s opening everything else for everybody else.”
Ayton has scored a total of 13 points in the second half of the last three games, but he’s a plus rating in all four games in the second half so far in the series.
2nd half Game 1 (L) – 10 points (5-of-6), 5 rebounds, 3 fouls in 14 minutes (plus-9).
2nd half Game 2 (W) – 2 points (1-of-2), 5 rebounds, 4 fouls in 11 minutes (plus-12).
2nd half Game 3 (W) – 7 points (2-of-2), 6 rebounds, 0 fouls in 17 minutes (plus-4).
2nd half Game 4 (W) – 4 points (2-of-3), 6 rebounds, 1 foul in 17 minutes (plus-13).
Durant, Booker and Paul each scored 17 points in the second half of Saturday’s Game 4 win, but Ayton’s plus-13 was the highest plus/minus of any starter in the second half of Game 4.
“Whatever they write about a guy not scoring an X amount, but the pressure that he’s putting on the rim and forcing guys to guard him around the basket is creating so many opportunities for Book and Kevin,” Williams said.
Ayton has had to adjust in this series to facing Zubac and backup Clippers big Mason Plumlee one minute and working against Ty Lue’s small lineup the next.
“They change it up on me, so I change it up on them,” Ayton said after Game 4, about working out of the short roll. “They started off in the drop. I hit my middies so they’re pressing up. So I’m putting the ball on the ground and trying to see what I can get out of it.”
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'That's Dominayton': Suns value Deandre Ayton's contributions in Clippers series