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Phoenix Suns: Joel Embiid sees potential in Deandre Ayton

By Dan Volpone

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: DeAndre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: DeAndre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Phoenix Suns big man Deandre Ayton was on the receiving end of some trash talk from All-Star Joel Embiid, but he got some praise too.

The major storyline out of Philadelphia 76ers media day was Joel Embiid’s trash talk towards Phoenix Suns rookie center Deandre Ayton. But what was overlooked were his far more meaningful words about the first overall pick.

Sure, Embiid told Rachel Nichols and Stephen Jackson that Ayton is “about to get his [butt] kicked this year.” But he also had somewhat kind words to say about the rookie big man.

After talking about the work Ayton has to put in, Embiid went on to say “he’s got a lot of potential. He’s going to be really good.” That’s high praise from arguably the best center in the game today. He didn’t have to say it, either.

Embiid has a long history of trash talking other centers. Last year he called out Andre Drummond‘s defense and waved to him after he fouled out. He gave the same wave to Steven Adams.

He called out Hassan Whiteside for his plus minus. He mocks Aron Baynes for being put onto posters. He got into it with Jusuf Nurkic during a game and with Karl-Anthony Towns on Instagram. And now he’s coming after a promising rookie who has never played a game in the NBA.

Interestingly enough, with the exception of Towns, none of the centers to get into with Embiid were other top centers. He actually gets along really well DeMarcus Cousins, as was evidenced by their butt-slapping fiasco from two seasons ago.

But even when Embiid talks trash, he very rarely follows it up with praise. The fact that he has genuinely positive thoughts on Ayton shows the respect he’s already getting around the league. Embiid also said he’s watched Ayton play, something he would have needed to go out of his way to do.

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Nothing Embiid said was earth-shattering. Ayton’s game needing work is no secret to anyone, and neither is his sky high potential. The Phoenix Suns rookie may have a friendly rivalry budding with a current star, but the respect is certainly there.

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