NBA notebook: Deandre Ayton has arrived

The Phoenix Suns may have faltered in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, with an opportunity to put the series away in front of their home fans, but they are now the favorite to win the NBA Finals.

Let’s take a look at stories from around the league in this week’s NBA notebook.

Suns favored in the NBA Finals

The Suns are just four wins away from claiming their first NBA title. As the Bucks and Hawks battle on the other side of the bracket, each with injury woes, the Suns have time to rest and recover in anticipation of the main event.

The Suns were underrated all season but have excellent roster composition. They have the veteran point guard, athletic wings, an elite scorer, and a legitimate big man who can control the paint.

Phoenix has earned its spot in the NBA Finals and deserves to be the favorite.

Injuries, injuries, injuries

It has been a fantastic treat to see the NBA Playoffs back in their normal environment, with home fans packed in arenas during the summer.

Although the pandemic concerns have waned, injuries have decimated so many stars of the game. James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Kawhi Leonard were some of the first to miss time. Now, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks are battling foot and knee injuries, respectively.

Critics have claimed the condensed season is the culprit behind the injuries. Others have suggested it was the shortened offseason. The Los Angeles Lakers parted ways with their head athletic trainer after a rash of injuries in 2021. Whatever the reason, it is a disappointing reality that has put a damper on this year’s playoffs.

If Young and Antetokounmpo experience longer-term detrimental effects, their teams will face an uphill climb to claim the crown.

Deandre Ayton has arrived

The Suns have veteran point guard Chris Paul to set the tone. Devon Booker is the sharpshooter finally getting center stage, after several years of lighting up scoreboards on losing lineups. But arguably the biggest differentiator for this Suns team is the arrival of Deandre Ayton.

The former first overall pick always had great potential, dating back to high school, when he was allegedly propositioned with cash to play for Arizona. From a statistical perspective, he was impactful in his first two NBA season.

Where Ayton has made huge strides, however, on the offensive end of the floor. Ayton has improved his effective field goal percentage by eight points, improved his free-throw percentage, and commits fewer turnovers per game. He is a lengthy and above-average defender, but it is his understanding of his role in the offense that has made the Suns a more efficient team

In these playoffs, he has been a double-double machine, affecting every game with his length and surprising touch around the rim. With the Booker and Ayton tandem, the Suns will remain a Western Conference contender for many years.

NBA Draft Combine news

Last week, dozens of players worked out and scrimmaged at the NBA Draft Combine, with the goal to improve their stock heading into the NBA Draft.

Two players who did the most to help their standing were Texas big man Jericho Sims and Houston guard Quentin Grimes.

Sims spent four years at Texas and will not be an elite scorer or outside shooter in the NBA. But through his time at Texas, he clearly matured, worked on his body, and found a role that gives him the opportunity to make a difference in the NBA. He shot 9-for-13 from the floor in a scrimmage, and his 6’10” frame yielded the second-highest vertical leap since this event began (44.5 inches).

Grimes was an initially enrolled at Kansas, so you know he has potential. After he transferred to Houston, he became an elite scorer and he had a 7-for-12 three-point shooting performance in a scrimmage.

If we’ve learned anything about the NBA in recent years, it is that you can never have too many athletes or shooters. Look for each of these fringe draft picks to find a roster spot next year.