“ I do not even know. I know Suns fans, if you don’t wear the same jersey as theirs, damn it, good luck! » Deandre Ayton did not know exactly what to expect when making his return to Phoenix, his first in the regular season since being traded to the Blazers.
“ I love competition, I love playing in front of a big audience », Slips, however, before the match, the Portland pivot, who said he did not feel anything particular when returning to his old room, during the preseason. That evening, however, he showed up in the Footprint Center in civilian clothes.
This night, he was present in uniform and was the target of boos from his former audience, during the announcement of his presence in the Blazers’ five, or the projection of the video paying tribute to him. “ Did they boo me? You find ? I didn’t feel like they booed me. I saw the tribute video and I was happy. I thought I heard applause, not boos. », prefers to retain the person concerned after the match.
Devin Booker found it tough
A meeting ended with a new defeat, the 8th in a row, but during which the interior finished with 18 points (9/14 on shots), 8 rebounds and 4 assists (where Jusuf Nurkic finished in a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds) but a terrible -33 when he was in play…
“ It was nice. I felt the environment well. I just tried to do my best and have fun », describes Deandre Ayton, who had received the support from his coach Chauncey Billups before the match.
“ It’s nice, I think it was our first time in the regular season. I’m happy we won. He played very hard tonight. I saw it. I challenge him to play like that every night », formulates Devin Booker, a clear allusion to the fluctuating hardness of his former playing partner.
“ There is no reason to be negative. With this team, they gave me the opportunity to be part of something new. Who am I to come here and try to complain or feel anything because things didn’t turn out the way I hoped? “, note Deandre Ayton who already had positive words towards his former franchise for sending him to Portland.
He appreciates his role as mentor
A transfer which allows him to be in contact with players less experienced than him. “ I’m just happy to be around other guys who value me and ask me questions about how to do this or that », appreciates the pivot, who has perhaps gained influence in the locker room, but not really in the game. With less than 13 points on average, he is only the fourth best scorer on his team, excluding the injured Anfernee Simons.
“ He was aggressive and physical this evening, he hit his shots in the paint, he took offensive rebounds. They need him, they offer him the opportunity to do a lot. This can only make it better. He’s what, 24 years old? 25 years ? 25 years. He still has a lot of time ahead of him. Being thrown into the thick of things like that and having to be the leader of this team can only make him better », Judges Kevin Durant despite everything.
The page therefore turns between the Suns and Deandre Ayton, preview taking selfies with some local fans after the game.
| 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 | 13 | 31 | 56.7 | 0.0 | 77.8 | 3.1 | 7.9 | 11.0 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 12.2 |
| Total | 316 | 31 | 59.6 | 26.3 | 75.6 | 3.0 | 7.4 | 10.4 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 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.
