Phoenix Suns: How Deandre Ayton compares to NBA greats through 100 games

The Stats

First, let’s compare Ayton’s career stats through 100 games (he has played 101 at this point) to 10 other elite big men’s first 100 career games: Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, Karl-Anthony Towns, Joel Embiid, Ralph Samson, Pau Gasol, Yao Ming, David Robinson and Alonzo Mourning. All of which were top three picks in the NBA Draft from 1983 to 2015.

Deandre Ayton (Age 21)

Points: 17.6
Rebounds: 10.8
Blocks: 1.2
FG: 57%
FT: 75%
FGA: 13.3
PER: 20.5

Shaquille O’Neal (Age 21)

Points: 24.2
Rebounds: 13.5
Blocks: 3.3
FG: 57%
FT: 58.9%
FGA: 16.9
PER: 24.3

Ralph Samson (Age 24)

Points: 20.7
Rebounds: 10.9
Blocks: 2.3
FG: 51.8%
FT: 66.4%
FGA: 17
PER: 19.5

Hakeem Olajuwon (Age 22)

Points: 21.3
Rebounds: 11.9
Blocks: 2.6
FG: 53.1%
FT: 63.7%
FGA: 15.8
PER: 21.8

Yao Ming (Age 23)

Points: 14.1
Rebounds: 8.4
Blocks: 1.8
FG: 50.7%
FT: 81.1%
FGA: 10.4
PER: 20.9

Karl-Anthony Towns (Age 21)

Points: 19
Rebounds: 10.3
Blocks: 1.8
FG: 53.4%
FT: 81.7%
FGA: 15
PER: 23.2

Pau Gasol (Age 22)

Points: 17.3
Rebounds: 8.6
Blocks: 2
FG: 51.6%
FT: 71.6%
FGA: 13.2
PER: 19.8

Joel Embiid (Age 24)

Points: 22.4
Rebounds: 10
Blocks: 2
FG: 47.9%
FT:77.3%
FGA: 15.8
PER: 23.5

Tim Duncan (Age 22)

Points: 21
Rebounds: 11.9
Blocks: 2.4
FG: 53.8%
FT: 66.7%
FGA: 16
PER: 22.7

David Robinson (Age 25)

Points: 24.4
Rebounds: 11.9
Blocks: 3.8
FG: 53.7%
FT: 73.8%
FGA: 16.1
PER: 26.6

Alonzo Mourning (Age 23)

Points: 21.2
Rebounds: 10.3
Blocks: 3.4
FG: 50.9%
FT: 77.6%
FGA: 14.3
PER: 20.9

Here are some quick takeaways from this info:

• You can basically throw out the numbers for David Robinson, Joel Embiid, Ralph Samson, Yao Ming and Alonzo Mourning. These guys were two to four years older than Ayton in their 2nd NBA seasons and two years is a huge developmental difference from 21 to 23.
• Ayton is lacking in scoring and shot blocking.The former can partially be attributed to his lack of shot attempts (we will break that down later) as his 57% field goal percentage is tied for the best with Shaq.
• Ayton’s efficiency rating is on the lower end, but his rebounding numbers for guys closer to his age is middle of the pack and his free throw shooting is elite.
• Shaq was a bad man. Putting up those numbers at 21 is nuts!

Overall, based on the data and information above, Ayton’s first 100 games compare most favorably to Pau Gasol and Karl Anthony-Towns. That is good news and would lead one to think he may be a future all-NBA performer, but not an MVP caliber player like Shaq, Duncan, Hakeem or David Robinson.