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Deandre Ayton is on a roll in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, living up to his billing as the no. 1 overall pick in the 2018 Draft in some style.
The Phoenix Suns star has been a vital cog in helping his team reach the Finals this season. Despite playing in his debut Playoffs campaign, the 22-year-old Ayton has looked unstoppable at both ends of the floor.
He has improved a lot of aspects of his game. Despite averaging a career-low in points per game (14.4) this season, it's safe to say that Ayton has developed and matured as a player immensely. Under Chris Paul's leadership, Ayton has learned the nuances of the game and how to use his natural ability and talent impactfully.
Speaking about the same in a conversation with The Athletic a few months back, Ayton spoke about his evolution as a player and how he had no issues with the changes he had to implement in his game this season.
"I’m sticking to what I do best, affecting the game at both ends of the floor and mainly being a presence: being the size I am, embracing the length and size I am, communicating with my voice, my ability to move and rebound and strength-wise, being physical, being a defensive anchor, trying my best to protect the defensive end of the floor, being the hustle man, to be honest."
Deandre Ayton is quickly turning into one of the best two-way players, and the 2021 NBA Playoffs are a great testament to that. He has broken many records already with his stellar showings so far.
Ayton is the only player in NBA Playoffs history to make at least 80% of his field goals on ten or more attempts in four games, a feat no other player has managed to achieve.
Ayton currently ranks first for shots than any other volume scorer in NBA Playoffs history in a single postseason campaign. He has converted 71% of his attempts (minimum 150 attempts).
Ayton has achieved multiple other records as well and is on course to eclipse many more. On that note, here are three such feats he could achieve by the end of the 2021 NBA Finals to round off his brilliant individual postseason run.
#3 Most games with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds on 80% FG shooting in NBA Playoff history
Deandre Ayton's shot-making efficiency has been phenomenal in the ongoing 2021 NBA Playoffs, which has been a key reason why he has broken so many records thus far.
One other feat that he could achieve as early as in Game 2 of the NBA Finals is recording the most games with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds on 80% field goal shooting in postseason history. Ayton has recorded this stat-line four times in 17 career playoff games.
This record is currently held by veteran Dwight Howard, who has five games with the same stat-line. It's worth noting that Howard has played 125 playoff games in his career, compared to Ayton's 17.
#2 Longest streak of shooting 50% or more from the field in a single NBA playoffs campaign
Deandre Ayton has shot 50% from the floor in all of the Phoenix Suns' 17 games in the 2021 NBA Playoffs so far.
He shot a 90% clip from the field against the LA Lakers in his debut playoff game and hasn't looked back since then. It is the second-longest streak for a player in a single-postseason campaign so far, with the legendary Shaquille O'Neale being the first with 18 such games in the 2006 NBA playoffs.
If Ayton records a minimum of 50% field-goal shooting in the next two games, he will be the first on the list with the longest such streak (19 games). Given the way he has played throughout the postseason, it won't be surprising if he can achieve this record and surpass Shaq, one of the greatest big men to have played the game.
#1 Most 15-rebound double-doubles in a debut NBA Playoffs campaign
Deandre Ayton has used his size to great effect to dominate the paint against some of the veteran bigs in the league during the 2021 playoffs. His strength, speed,and athleticism haven't been easy to cope with for many teams, which has given Ayton a huge advantage with his rebounding.
Be it at the offensive or defensive end, opposition centers are often seen dominated by the Phoenix Suns' big man, thanks to his ability to go in strong and help keep his team in possession. Ayton has recorded a whopping six games with 15-rebound double-doubles so far, the fourth-highest for a player in his debut postseason campaign in NBA playoffs history.
All-time greats such as Wilt Chamberlain (9), Bill Walton (9), and Bill Russell (8) are the three players who lead Deandre Ayton in this regard. With Ayton needing only three games to surpass Chamberlain and Walton, it is another record he could break by the end of the 2021 NBA Finals.
Guess the Lakers players!
