LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 01: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns gets a dunk while Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on in the second half at Staples Center on January 1, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Lakers won 117 to 107. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
After a rough outing against the Utah Jazz on Monday, Deandre Ayton answered the call on Wednesday with a vicious dunk on Anthony Davis.
The Phoenix Suns are looking to carry over the momentum they built in the NBA bubble into the regular-season and make it a successful one. However, their preseason has been far from great, as they lost their first two matchups against the Utah Jazz.
Following their 111-92 loss on Monday, head coach Monty Williams said he wanted more from his big man, center Deandre Ayton. In fact, offseason acquisition Chris Paul was seen talking to Ayton on the sidelines during the performance. Two days later, and it appears Ayton answered the call.
While facing the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns Arena on Wednesday, the former 2018 first-overall selection made a statement at the expense of $190 million man Anthony Davis in the form of a vicious poster dunk.
Deandre Ayton showing that it’s indeed “Bully SZN”
Ayton heard the call and answered it in a hurry for Williams and the Suns.
During the aforementioned contest against the Jazz on Monday, Ayton only managed to score 4 points while shooting 2-for-7 from the field. The big man is usually a dominant force inside the paint, but he was basically bullied by Utah center Rudy Gobert, as he was out-rebounded 20-9.
The Suns were undefeated in the Orlando bubble but just missed out on making the play-in game for the 8-seed in the Western Conference. Looking to clinch their first playoff berth since 2010, the Suns made the move to acquire Paul, in the hopes he can bring similar leadership and success like he brought to the Oklahoma City Thunder last year. But they need everyone to contribute, especially Ayton. He took the constructive criticism and made an early statement on Wednesday.