“I’m honestly going into these games, I’m trying to do everything,” Ayton told reporters Wednesday night. “Not only do my requirements, my role for this team, but do a lot more and that’s where I’m at. I’m more dominant. People like to laugh at it, but it’s the truth.” Should Ayton continue playing at this level, the only people who will be laughing will be the Portland Trail Blazers. They acquired Ayton last offseason in a trade with the Phoenix Suns hoping that the No. 1-overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft could take his game to an elite level.
Source: Oregonian
Source: Oregonian
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Casey Holdahl @CHold
Knicks 105, Blazers 93: FINAL. 31 points, 14 rebounds for @DeandreAyton. 16 points, 2 rebounds/assists for @DALANOBANTON. 12 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists for @thereal013. 10 points, 4 rebounds for @KrisMurray24. – 12:17 AM
Knicks 105, Blazers 93: FINAL. 31 points, 14 rebounds for @DeandreAyton. 16 points, 2 rebounds/assists for @DALANOBANTON. 12 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists for @thereal013. 10 points, 4 rebounds for @KrisMurray24. – 12:17 AM
Sean Highkin @highkin
Ayton has left some good looks short tonight and still has 27 on 10-of-19 shooting. – 12:08 AM
Ayton has left some good looks short tonight and still has 27 on 10-of-19 shooting. – 12:08 AM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
Knicks 55, Blazers 41: halftime. 10 points, 2 rebounds for @DeandreAyton. 5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists for @thereal013. 5 points, 3 assists/rebounds for @H23Ash. 5 points, 2 rebounds/assists for @MatisseThybulle. 5 points, 3 rebounds for @KrisMurray24. 5 points, 1 rebound for… – 11:06 PM
Knicks 55, Blazers 41: halftime. 10 points, 2 rebounds for @DeandreAyton. 5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists for @thereal013. 5 points, 3 assists/rebounds for @H23Ash. 5 points, 2 rebounds/assists for @MatisseThybulle. 5 points, 3 rebounds for @KrisMurray24. 5 points, 1 rebound for… – 11:06 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Ugh… looked like OG tweaked his injured right elbow swiping down on Ayton and creating this steal… OG checked out at next dead ball pic.twitter.com/dMB9itzAUV – 11:00 PM
Ugh… looked like OG tweaked his injured right elbow swiping down on Ayton and creating this steal… OG checked out at next dead ball pic.twitter.com/dMB9itzAUV – 11:00 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Deandre Ayton over his last 5 games:
24.6 PPG
16.4 RBG
64% FG pic.twitter.com/GMhdP0e0zQ – 11:45 AM
Deandre Ayton over his last 5 games:
24.6 PPG
16.4 RBG
64% FG pic.twitter.com/GMhdP0e0zQ – 11:45 AM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
“I just be trying to bust that ass. That’s about it.” — @DeandreAyton bit.ly/3ToMVkK – 2:16 AM
“I just be trying to bust that ass. That’s about it.” — @DeandreAyton bit.ly/3ToMVkK – 2:16 AM
Sean Highkin @highkin
Chauncey Billups on Deandre Ayton: “We’ve unlocked him. We’re getting the best version of him. He’s been a monster.” – 12:40 AM
Chauncey Billups on Deandre Ayton: “We’ve unlocked him. We’re getting the best version of him. He’s been a monster.” – 12:40 AM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton combined for 69 points in the Trail Blazers’ win vs. the Hawks 😤
Simons:
36 PTS | 8 AST | 7 REB
Ayton:
33 PTS | 15-20 FG | 19 REB pic.twitter.com/fy1Y2P0yom – 12:33 AM
Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton combined for 69 points in the Trail Blazers’ win vs. the Hawks 😤
Simons:
36 PTS | 8 AST | 7 REBAyton:
33 PTS | 15-20 FG | 19 REB pic.twitter.com/fy1Y2P0yom – 12:33 AM
Tom Haberstroh @tomhaberstroh
deandre ayton last 6 games
22 pts, 10 reb, 64.7 FG%
26 pts, 19 reb, 68.8 FG%
12 pts, 10 reb, 66.7 FG% (19 mins)
30 pts, 19 reb, 56.0 FG%
22 pts, 15 reb, 57.9 FG%
33 pts, 19 reb, 75.0 FG% tonight – 12:26 AM
deandre ayton last 6 games
22 pts, 10 reb, 64.7 FG%
26 pts, 19 reb, 68.8 FG%
12 pts, 10 reb, 66.7 FG% (19 mins)
30 pts, 19 reb, 56.0 FG%
22 pts, 15 reb, 57.9 FG%
33 pts, 19 reb, 75.0 FG% tonight – 12:26 AM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
Blazers 106, Hawks 102: FINAL. 33 points, 19 rebounds, 1 assist/steal/block for @DeandreAyton. 36 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds for @AnferneeSimons. 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists for @DALANOBANTON. 9 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal/block for @KrisMurray24. Happy… – 12:25 AM
Blazers 106, Hawks 102: FINAL. 33 points, 19 rebounds, 1 assist/steal/block for @DeandreAyton. 36 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds for @AnferneeSimons. 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists for @DALANOBANTON. 9 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal/block for @KrisMurray24. Happy… – 12:25 AM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
Ayton makes the first, misses the second but Toumani saves the loose ball from going out of bounds, gets it to Ayton, then Simons, who is able to burn some clock then make two free throws to gives the Blazers a 106-102 lead with 3.8 seconds to play. – 12:21 AM
Ayton makes the first, misses the second but Toumani saves the loose ball from going out of bounds, gets it to Ayton, then Simons, who is able to burn some clock then make two free throws to gives the Blazers a 106-102 lead with 3.8 seconds to play. – 12:21 AM
Sean Highkin @highkin
32 is a new season high for Deandre Ayton. 3 off his career high of 35, which he did twice in Phoenix. – 12:13 AM
32 is a new season high for Deandre Ayton. 3 off his career high of 35, which he did twice in Phoenix. – 12:13 AM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
Blazers 82, Hawks 75: end of third quarter. 28 points, 14 rebounds, 1 steal/block for @DeandreAyton. 27 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds for @AnferneeSimons. 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists for @DALANOBANTON. – 11:42 PM
Blazers 82, Hawks 75: end of third quarter. 28 points, 14 rebounds, 1 steal/block for @DeandreAyton. 27 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds for @AnferneeSimons. 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists for @DALANOBANTON. – 11:42 PM
Sean Highkin @highkin
26 and 13 for Ayton on 13-16 shooting with 3 minutes left in the third. – 11:35 PM
26 and 13 for Ayton on 13-16 shooting with 3 minutes left in the third. – 11:35 PM
Lauren L. Williams @WilliamsLaurenL
Ayton gives the Blazers a 59-58 with a midrange jumper. He’s got 20 points and 10 rebounds 8:13 to play in 3Q. – 11:24 PM
Ayton gives the Blazers a 59-58 with a midrange jumper. He’s got 20 points and 10 rebounds 8:13 to play in 3Q. – 11:24 PM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
Hawks 52, Blazers 47: halftime. 18 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block for @DeandreAyton. 16 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds for @AnferneeSimons. Hawks scored the first 9 points of the second quarter but the Blazers rally to win the frame 30-28. – 11:02 PM
Hawks 52, Blazers 47: halftime. 18 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block for @DeandreAyton. 16 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds for @AnferneeSimons. Hawks scored the first 9 points of the second quarter but the Blazers rally to win the frame 30-28. – 11:02 PM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
Hawks 24, Blazers 17: end of first quarter. 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block for @DeandreAyton. 3 points, 1 rebound/assist for @AnferneeSimons. POR shooting 35 percent, ATL 44 percent. – 10:35 PM
Hawks 24, Blazers 17: end of first quarter. 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block for @DeandreAyton. 3 points, 1 rebound/assist for @AnferneeSimons. POR shooting 35 percent, ATL 44 percent. – 10:35 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Ayton since the All-Star break:
22.4 PPG
14.6 RPG
61.6 FG%
Top 3 in RPG. statmuse.com/nba/player/dea… – 3:33 PM
Ayton since the All-Star break:
22.4 PPG
14.6 RPG
61.6 FG%
Top 3 in RPG. statmuse.com/nba/player/dea… – 3:33 PM
More on this storyline
Ayton’s inability to remain motivated dogged him during his time with the Suns. This season, he has appeared at times to display similar issues with the Blazers, leading to some criticism. Ayton said he has heard his “haters” and loves that they come after him. “It’s making me approach this game the right way and carry the PDX on my back all the way,” he said. “So, I thank them. I’m wearing the cape all the way.” -via Oregonian / March 15, 2024
“I think we’ve unlocked him and we’re getting the best version of him offensively, for sure,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups told reporters. “He’s been a monster. He’s been a monster on that glass. He’s just been all over the place. Super, super efficient obviously. So, he’s been awesome. And I think our guys are just kind of following his lead. He’s given us so much.” -via Oregonian / March 15, 2024
Fred Katz: Final: Knicks 105, Trail Blazers 93. Knicks improve to 39-27, fourth in the East. • Brunson 45 pts, 4 asts, 14-30 FGs, 15-17 FTs • Anunoby 12 & 9 • Hart 7 & 15 • Ayton 31 & 14 -via Twitter @FredKatz / March 15, 2024
