Deandre Ayton has explained the reasons behind his slow start on the Portland Trail Blazers, revealing his struggle in adjusting to life in Portland as well as his bizarre decision of not getting a bed and sleeping on an air mattress for the first few months after his move.
“My body wasn’t just my body. People forget the humane difference of me adjusting to everything... Just being comfortable in waking up. I didn’t have a bed for quite some time. I was on an air mattress. Just trying to figure this out.”
This is quite a revelation, as there is no real reason why a man making $32 million like Ayton can't buy a proper bed and mattress. He's a seven-foot NBA player who should be extra diligent about how he gets his rest. This reflects the attitude he's had with basketball since entering the NBA, as his attitude is what ended his stint with the Phoenix Suns.
This could be the old Ayton, as he has shown a recommitment to the game in recent weeks. Ayton's first performance after this quote came out saw him put up 25 points and 15 rebounds against the Chicago Bulls.
He's averaging 26.8 points and 15.0 rebounds over the last six games, finally living up to his potential as one of the elite centers in the NBA. He's still just 25 years old, so there is time for Ayton to come good as a former No. 1 overall pick. He's incredibly talented and can achieve more if he is more consistent.
His overall season averages are 15.9 points and 11.2 rebounds.
Deandre Ayton Wants To Be A Hustler
Deandre Ayton understands that a major part of the concerns around his career have been to do with his level of engagement with the game. Nobody has questioned his talent, but Ayton has struggled to be locked in for extended runs before, with the 2021 Playoffs the only time we've seen him thrive in a competitive scenario before.
Ayton realized the shortcomings that have held him back so far. In his interview with The Oregonian, he also revealed that he is trying to play as hard as he can going forward.
“No matter the outcome of the game, you’re going to see I played my ass off. Played hard enough to where I tried. I feel like the whole team was like that as well. We all contributed and I tried my best to keep my energy up for my guys too, so nobody gets deflated.”
Ayton may be 25 years old but he is a veteran on the Trail Blazers at the time. Malcolm Brogdon may have seniority but everyone realizes that Brogdon isn't going to be on the franchise for the long term. Ayton could be a future pillar for the franchise provided he lives up to the responsibilities that come with it.
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