Almost unexpected, the return of Deandre Ayton in the foreground delights the fans and especially the leaders of the Blazers. Since the post-All-Star Weekend restart, he has averaged 24.5 points and 14.3 rebounds over eight games (64% shooting and 88% shooting). It's even better since five games and his return from injury (hand/wrist): 27.2 points and 15.0 rebounds, 63% shooting and 85% shooting!
This does not necessarily translate into good results for Portland, but this offers a lot of hope to his franchise and its fans, when we know that the Bahamian was as irregular as possible before the All-Star Break (13.8 points and 10.4 rebounds on average, at 56% shooting and 81% on throws…). Injuries don't help and neither does adapting to a completely new environment.
“ No matter the result of the match, you will see that I gave my best on the pitch » positive the number one in the 2018 Draft, full of good will, coming off a defeat against the Knicks. “ I played hard enough to try [de gagner] and I have the feeling that the whole team does too. We all contributed and I did my best to keep my energy high, for my teammates and so that no one got discouraged. »
When sleep goes, everything goes
Double-double machine and outputs above 20 points for a month, Deandre Ayton is therefore regaining color and, if he now seems good in his head, it is mainly physically that he says today that he feels much better. Allowing the critics to be silenced…
“ My physique was not itself. People forget the human difference of having to adapt to everything » he says about this. “ I'm comfortable when I wake up. I didn't have a bed for a while, so I was sleeping on an air mattress and just trying to adjust to it all.. »
More at ease in his private life, the transition from Arizona to Oregon not being easy to manage, Deandre Ayton can therefore free himself on the courts, now that things have worked out outside. Hence his more convincing level of play recently, while for the moment he no longer shows irregularity but rather aggressiveness in the game.
“ I just want people to know that I will try to do my best to achieve positive, winning actions. » then assures the 25-year-old pivot. “ Both by scoring points, by grabbing rebounds, by blocking shots, by encouraging my teammates, by putting them in rhythm, by creating play, by rolling towards the basket . It doesn't matter, even if I don't get the ball. I'm just trying to show everyone that I can do anything. »
A mentor role to assume
Already among the most experienced players in the Blazers locker room, Deandre Ayton takes this mission of role model and “big brother” very seriously, in order to best help the young players in the squad to develop.
“ They are young players and, when you play against good teams, certain actions and momentum sometimes tend to discourage you » he declares. “ It's a game full of emotions. But just having that inner fire, having a guy who pulls off tough things and keeps fighting, it's contagious for everyone, so I also try to be that guy- there. »
Especially since Deandre Ayton also wants to fight for the fans and the city of Portland, who have not failed to show him a lot of love since his arrival from Phoenix last fall.
“ That's all I could ask for and it made it easier » he appreciates. “ I felt like I adapted quickly but, at the same time, it's good to recognize that we are human beings and things like that need to be taken into consideration, when you have to adapt to certain cities and some teammates, that sort of thing. »
| Deandre Ayton | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | PHX | 71 | 31 | 58.5 | 0.0 | 74.6 | 3.1 | 7.1 | 10.3 | 1.8 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 16.3 |
| 2019-20 | PHX | 38 | 33 | 54.6 | 23.1 | 75.3 | 3.9 | 7.6 | 11.5 | 1.9 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 18.2 |
| 2020-21 | PHX | 69 | 31 | 62.6 | 20.0 | 76.9 | 3.3 | 7.2 | 10.5 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 14.5 |
| 2021-22 | PHX | 58 | 30 | 63.4 | 36.8 | 74.6 | 2.6 | 7.7 | 10.2 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 17.2 |
| 2022-23 | PHX | 67 | 30 | 58.9 | 29.2 | 76.0 | 2.6 | 7.4 | 10.0 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 18.0 |
| 2023-24 | POR | 45 | 32 | 58.1 | 33.3 | 82.8 | 3.2 | 7.8 | 11.1 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 15.7 |
| Total | 348 | 31 | 59.5 | 26.5 | 76.1 | 3.1 | 7.4 | 10.5 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 16.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
