Current Portland Trail Blazers starting center Deandre Ayton has turned his game around recently and has been dominant. In his last five games, Ayton is averaging 27.2 points and 15 rebounds per game. Furthermore, the former Phoenix Suns big man is shooting 63.3% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc in that span. In a recent interview, Ayton spoke about the reason for his turnaround, pointing out that he slept on an air mattress at the beginning of the season:
“My body wasn’t just my body,” he said. “People forget the humane difference of me adjusting to everything.” That included something as routine as getting proper sleep. “Just being comfortable in waking up,” he said. “I didn’t have a bed for quite some time. I was on an air mattress. Just trying to figure this out.”
The Trail Blazers acquired Ayton in the monstrous three-team trade that sent All-NBA guard Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. In total, Ayton has played and started 45 games for Portland this season. In those games, the 25-year-old is averaging 15.7 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.
Deandre Ayton says that sleeping on an air mattress earlier in the season could have contributed to his early season struggles
“My body wasn’t just my body. People forget the humane difference of me adjusting to everything. That included something as routine as getting proper… pic.twitter.com/qkEglqQ14c
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 18, 2024
Portland Trail Blazers Starter Reveals Reason for Slow Start
Deandre Ayton Acknowledges His Dominance
A few days ago, Ayton talked about “trying to do everything” in the games he plays. Furthermore, Ayton says this has led to him being “more dominant“:
“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.”
Furthermore, head coach Chauncey Billups believes the team has “unlocked” Ayton and allowing him to flourish:
“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.”
The Trail Blazers Can Build Around Deandre Ayton
Ayton has been in the NBA since the Suns drafted him first overall in the 2018 Draft. Because of how long he has been in the league, it’s easy to forget he is only 25 and still improving. The Trail Blazers have an exciting young core even beyond Ayton. Additionally, the team has Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons in the backcourt and potential long-term options in Kris Murray, Dalano Banton, and Matisse Thybulle. This season, the Trail Blazers have a 19-48 record, the second-worst in the Western Conference. Furthermore, they have already been officially eliminated from playoff contention this season. Despite the team’s lack of success this season, there is a lot to be excited about in Portland, including Ayton and his new-look dominance.
