ESPN: Suns’ Ayton, Booker among the NBA’s best players under 25
Feb 27, 2019, 12:11 PM
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) and Devin Booker (1) in the first half during an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Although the Phoenix Suns currently sit at the very bottom of the NBA standings, the team does boast two of the best young players in the game.
ESPN included Suns shooting guard Devin Booker and center Deandre Ayton in its 25 best NBA players under 25.
Booker was ranked as the 10th player on the list, while Ayton was tied for 17th.
While there is much to look forward to from the young Suns core, ESPN’s Bobby Marks addressed the fact that things aren’t all that positive in Phoenix.
It is déjà vu all over again for Booker. The Suns are headed to the lottery and Booker is on pace to average about 25 points per game. Sound familiar?
The lack of team success was evident when the All-Stars were selected this year. Of the players in the top 15 in PPG, Booker was the lone player not to be selected for a spot in Charlotte.
One concern is the impact that losing could have on Booker. The shooting guard ranks in the top 10 in technical fouls this season. — Bobby Marks
Booker, amid another solid season, is averaging 24.6 points, 6.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game.
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Although he has only played 47 games thus far, Booker is also posting the highest single-season field goal percentage of his career at 45.7 percent.
The 22-year-old was ranked 9th on this list just a year ago.
Meanwhile, Ayton has quietly put up solid numbers for the Suns without being flashy in his rookie season. Ayton’s proficient play has been overshadowed by the talk surrounding the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic.
By the box score, Ayton’s rookie season has been an amazing success. The No. 1 overall pick is averaging 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while shooting 59 percent. Per Basketball-Reference.com, Ayton’s 20.9 player efficiency rating is ninth best on record for a 20-year-old player averaging at least 30 MPG.
In an era where efficient scoring and rebounding are easy to find at center, Ayton must expand his game to help the Suns win. He has made progress as a defender but the 112.1 defensive rating Phoenix allows with Ayton on the court (per NBA.com) would rank 29th in the league. — Kevin Pelton
Last year’s No. 1 overall pick has shown durability in his first NBA season by leading the team in games started with 55.
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