Deandre Ayton has seen and experienced all of the harsh criticisms he can get since entering the league five years ago, and he is fully determined to deliver a redeeming response for himself moving forward.
As he recently spoke with Eyewitness News Bahamas, Ayton vented out as he believes that the “whole world” despises him. With this, he stated that his motivation is to change for the better at the side of the Phoenix Suns in preparation for the 2023-24 season.
“I can feel the whole world hating me in a way,” Ayton said, hat tip to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic . “I’m the guy a lot of people point at and I see it and feel it, but mainly what I’ve been working on five to six days a week since we’ve lost is just motivating myself to change the narrative of what people think about me. No matter you put it, I feel like I have no fans out there and I can feel it because the whole world is saying it.
“My goal is over the summer is to change the narrative. Just unlock whatever it is and just completely just focus on me and change the whole thing.”
Ayton, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2018 Draft, has been subjected to tons of trade speculations since last year upon developing a lopsided relationship with ex-coach Monty Williams. Until now, the big man remains stuck to the trade mill in wake of the massive offseason changes made by the franchise which highlights the acquisition of star guard Bradley Beal.
Many fans also criticized him for his lack of improvement throughout the years. Amid being a talented and a towering big man, he has been underwhelming statistically. In his five regular seasons, he is just posting 16.7 points on average to go with 10.4 boards, 1.6 assists and a block for 303 total games.
Thankfully, Ayton’s intent to seize a massive leap is very much supported by Frank Vogel. It can be noted back in its introductory press conference that the new Suns head coach expressed optimism to restore the big man’s All-Star status.
This sky high goal by Ayton can only promote high hopes and positivity for the Suns fandom as they continue to still have that faith toward the center’s attainment of his purest potential. And should Ayton achieve it, a much clearer picture of their maiden title is finally up at The Valley.
