Deandre Ayton's unusual season reignites at Disney World restart

Before COVID-19 swept the globe, the former No. 1 overall draft pick had already been suspended 25 games and battled multiple minor injuries during his second NBA season.

(Courtesy of Phoenix Suns)

As soon as Deandre Ayton popped on the Zoom call, he requested that no other participants make fun of his hair that has not been cut since society went into quarantine to combat the coronavirus pandemic. 

A few minutes later, Ayton playfully needled a media member who typically films every interview for joining the session with his video feature turned off. 

And as the conversation wrapped, Ayton asked a Suns media relations representative if she had read every book on her shelf in the background. 

Ayton was his goofy, gregarious self while making his first public comments since the NBA indefinitely suspended the season in mid-March. He also echoed coach Monty Williams’ pointed comments from the previous day, that the Suns have a worthwhile opportunity at the 22-team Orlando restart and will arrive with the lofty goal of challenging for a playoff spot. 

The setting, the circumstances, the protocol for this season’s conclusion are all unusual. But perhaps that’s fitting for Ayton, whose second NBA season could already be classified as such long before COVID-19 swept the globe. 

 “I just can’t wait to see my guys to really spread this energy to them,” Ayton said, “to show them what we have ahead of us and what we can do.”  

One day after the Suns’ 2019-20 opener in October, Ayton was suspended for 25 games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy after testing positive for a banned diuretic. After returning, the former No. 1 overall draft pick battled minor injuries. He played in 30 games before the league went dark, averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds per contest. 

The extended break allowed Ayton to reflect. 

“I could have been stopped a lot, and I didn’t stop,” Ayton said. “I stayed on the positive path, and I have the Suns community and the Suns organization that kept me taking the right steps to where I am today. …

“It was a humbling experience, and it gave me some humility in a way. That’s why I think I enjoyed my family and them being there for me. I’m just ready to work now, ready to show them that their comforting (me) and support didn’t (get taken) for granted. It really helped me. It helped me get up every day and be consistent.”  

Ayton spent the early days of quarantine continuing to rehab what he called a bone bruise on his foot. It “took a little while to heal up properly,” he said, because the Suns’ medical and training staffs could not physically visit Ayton at his home. Instead, he took self-treatment instruction via FaceTime, which can be challenging when one is not an expert on all the terminology. 

Ayton also welcomed the chance to detach from the grind. Even while suspended, he traveled with the team and participated in all activities except games. 

While sheltering in place, Ayton played the NBA 2K video game deep into the night (and finished second to teammate Devin Booker in the official NBA players’ tournament televised by ESPN). He spent time with his family, particularly forming a deeper bond with his younger sister. He went to the park, where dog Rocky made canine and human friends. 

“That’s why I have so much energy, really,” Ayton said. “I wasn’t thinking about (basketball) and I was just waiting for the world to get back to normal.” 

Ayton now has (most likely) eight more games to build on the improvements he flashed this season in limited action, particularly on defense. 

Ayton acknowledged he “exaggerated” on that end of the floor when he returned from suspension. He nearly doubled his blocks-per-game average from his rookie season (0.9 to 1.7), and was clearly more aware as a rim protector and last line of defense. Ayton said he has continued studying details with assistant coach Mark Bryant, such as how and when to block with each hand, how to avoid contact and how to keep the ball in play instead of swatting it out of bounds. 

“I tried to block every shot this season,” Ayton said. “Even on ball switches, I was trying my best to press up no matter what. Every opportunity that I had to really show my defense (I took), because I know everybody’s watching me on defense no matter what. 

“I just tried to prove everybody wrong coming back. It was just a big chip.” 

Ayton also said he has been working on “enhancing” his offense, hoping he can facilitate more and attack from the middle of the paint. And that developing 3-point shot, which is a favorite topic but not yet a reliable offensive weapon, “feels like a ‘middy’ (mid-range jumper),” Ayton quipped. 

The Suns will reconvene Tuesday to fly to Orlando and begin training camp 2.0, before “seeding” games begin July 31 vs. Washington. Ayton said he is not concerned about the NBA’s strict health and safety protocols, noting all he needs to stay occupied for long stretches inside a hotel are his video-game console, his cellphone and his teammates.

The Walt Disney World bubble is far from a normal environment to conclude an NBA season. But perhaps it’s fitting for Ayton, whose second season was already classified as unusual long before the pandemic, extended hiatus and restart opportunity. 

“It’s a little window to make the playoffs and make some history,” Ayton said. “That’s all that’s on our mind. We’re young and hungry, and we’re ready to play.”