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

Comparing Those Closest to Ayton’s Age

I also decided to compare the five players closest in age to Ayton to see their development from their rookie year to their sophomore season and compare that growth to Ayton’s in a smaller sample size from game 83 to game 101. Astonishingly, all of them played at least 78 games in their rookie season (pre-load management, am I right?) making the comparison to their second season stats and Ayton’s 19 games past the 82 game mark for his career a more accurate comparison as a sample size.

Shaquille O’Neal

Year 1:  23.4 PTS   13.9 REB   3.5 BLK   FG: 56.2%  FT: 59.2%  FGA: 16.1  PER: 22.9
Year 2: 29.3 PTS   13.2 REB   2.9 BLK   FG: 59.9%   FT: 55.4%  FGA: 19.6  PER: 28.5

Hakeem Olajuwon

Year 1: 20.6 PTS  11.9 REB  2.7 BLK  FG: 53.8%  FT: 61.3%  FGA: 15.3  PER: 21.1
Year 2: 23.5 PTS  11.5 REB  3.4 BLK  FG: 52.6%  FT: 64.5%  FGA: 17.5  PER: 24.2

Tim Duncan*

Year 1: 21.1 PTS  11.9 REB  2.5 BLK  FG: 54.9%  FT: 66.2%  FGA: 15.7  PER: 22.6
Year 2: 21.7 PTS  11.4 REB  2.5 BLK  FG: 49.5%  FT: 69%   FGA: 16.9  PER: 23.2

* Duncan’s 2nd season was the lockout shortened 50 game season in 1999 where the season didn’t start until February 5. These numbers can be taken with a slight grain of salt)

Pau Gasol

Year 1: 17.6 PTS  8.9 REB  2.1 BLK  FG: 51.8%  FT: 70.9%  FGA: 13  PER: 20.7
Year 2: 19 PTS  8.8 REB  1.8 BLK  FG: 51%  FT: 73.6%   FGA: 13.6  PER: 20.7

Karl-Anthony Towns

Year 1: 18.3 PTS  REB: 10.5  1.7 BLK  FG: 54.2%  FT: 81.1%  FGA: 14.1  PER: 22.5
Year 2: 25.1 PTS  12.3 REB  1.3 BLK  FG: 54.2%   FT: 83.2%  FGA: 18   PER: 25.9

Deandre Ayton

Year 1: 16.3 PTS 10.3 REB: 0.9 BLK  FG: 58.5%  FT: 74.6%  FGA: 12.3  PER: 20.5
Year 2: 20.5 PTS  12.4 REB  1.7 BLK  FG: 54.2%  FT: 72.1%  FGA: 16.3 PER: 21.2

Keep in mind that these “Year 2” stats for Ayton were from the last 19 games he played in this season, games 83 to 101 of his NBA career.

Ayton saw the most progression from his rookie to sophomore year in this comparison than arguably anybody but Karl Anthony Towns. You could argue Shaq had more progression as well with his points, field-goal percentage and player efficiency rating.

Ayton was able to increase his scoring and shot attempts by 25 percent, his rebounds by 20 percent and his blocks by almost 50 percent!