PHOENIX SUNS

Elhassan: Deandre Ayton’s Summer League reminiscent of Porzingis

Jul 13, 2018, 10:51 AM | Updated: Jul 14, 2018, 7:38 pm

Dallas Mavericks' Josh Adams, left, shoots around Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton during the first half...

Dallas Mavericks' Josh Adams, left, shoots around Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton during the first half of an NBA summer league basketball game Friday, July 6, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

(AP Photo/John Locher)

Deandre Ayton has averaged a double-double in the Las Vegas Summer League but some fans are still waiting for when he will become a dominant force who can take over a game.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft has averaged 14.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 1.0 block per game through four games played; steady, but not eye popping.

ESPN’s Amin Elhassan, who joined 98.7 Arizona’s Sports Station’s Doug & Wolf, said that Ayton’s Summer League performance has reminded him of another up-and-coming big man in the NBA.

“Watching Kristaps Porzingis his first Summer League, his numbers didn’t pop out. But watching him play, one of the hardest things is for bigs to play in Summer League because it’s a very guard-driven environment,” Elhassan said.

“Porzingis, even though he had awful guard discipline, kept doing the right things over and over again in Summer League.”

Ayton has showed that same mentality to Elhassan in his first action as a pro.

“Ayton’s numbers are a lot better than Porzingis’ was in his debut Summer League, but there’s a little bit of the same things going on. There’s a lot of times they couldn’t even throw an entry pass into him, but that didn’t stop him from trying to do the right thing… and that’s very encouraging,” Elhassan said.

Ayton’s best performance probably came against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday when he posted 21 points and 12 rebounds. Ayton played a team-high 29 minutes in the 71-63 win.

The Summer Suns won their first three games of the Las Vegas Summer League but lost in the opening playoff game. They have one more game against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday at 3:30 p.m.

Phoenix Suns

Isaiah Thomas...

Dan Bickley

Isaiah Thomas signing is a wild swing for Suns in desperate times

Isaiah Thomas is a born fighter. He’s beaten the odds. The chip on his shoulder is permanent. It’s easy to rally around a player like him.

6 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Are the Phoenix Suns superstars done with Frank Vogel?

On Monday's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley asks the question if the Suns' superstars have had bad body language recently and if it's because they want Frank Vogel gone.

11 hours ago

Dalton Knecht, Tennessee...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should be watching during March Madness

The Phoenix Suns are slated to have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and they could select one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

1 day ago

Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Footp...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Josh Okogie out for matchup vs. Bucks, Antetokounmpo also out

Phoenix Suns' Josh Okogie is out for Sunday's game against the Bucks. Okogie has missed the past seven games with a lower abdominal strain.

1 day ago

Isaiah Thomas...

Damon Allred

Isaiah Thomas to return to Suns on 10-day contract, per report

Nearly two years since his last NBA minutes, point guard Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

2 days ago

Elhassan: Deandre Ayton’s Summer League reminiscent of Porzingis