Deandre Ayton (24, Bahamas), who shined in the first place, became a cold meal.
The Phoenix Suns먹튀검증 (hereinafter referred to as Phoenix), to which Ayton belongs, lost 118-102 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals of the NBA (American Professional Basketball) 2022-23 season held at the home of the Denver Nuggets (hereinafter Denver) on the morning of the 10th (Korean time). did.
Ayton recorded 14 points and 9 rebounds in 31 minutes and 44 seconds of the game, but was last on the team with a -21 court margin. In contrast, Jock Randale, who plays as a backup center, recorded a +5 court margin while playing 16:16.
Moreover, over five playoff games against Denver, Phoenix gave up -59 points with Ayton on the court, but leads by +27 when Randale is on. Ayton, who undermines the team’s offense with passive play, scored 109 points in the Offensive Rating (attack efficiency index), the lowest among Phoenix’s main players. On the other hand, Randale has an offensive rating of 133 while recording a defensive rating of 117, the same as Ayton. This is comparable to Devin Booker, who scored 135 points.
In particular, when Ayton blocked Jokichi, the field defense rate was 59.3%, and Randale recorded 50%. In fact, Ayton played more than 30 minutes in Games 1, 2, and 5, which Phoenix lost, but played less than 30 minutes in Games 3 and 4, which Phoenix won. Ayton’s reduced playing time went straight to Randale.
Above all, Phoenix matched a 4-year, $133 million contract with the Indiana Pacers last summer to protect their No. 1 ranking. Ayton therefore remained in Phoenix. In comparison, Randale is running with a minimum of 1.5 million dollars (about 100 million won).
Phoenix, whose squad is not yet deep enough, can use Ayton, who has a high salary, even if he can use it sparingly. Therefore, the dilemma of hiring Ayton comes to suffocate Phoenix.
Meanwhile, Ayton suffered a rib injury in Game 6 against Denver and is uncertain.