Phoenix Suns Important NBA Finals Players: #3 Deandre Ayton
Let’s state the obvious: Ayton MUST play lights out around the rim on both sides of the ball, especially when Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo returns. The seven-footer may be up for his biggest challenge yet considering how most of Antetokounmpo’s points come right at the rim.
He will also have his hands full with seven-foot-one big man Brook Lopez, who just delivered an incredible 33-point performance in Game 5 against the Hawks. The Bucks will most likely want to spread Ayton out of the paint with Lopez on the floor since he can knock down 3-pointers.
Ayton’s awareness on defense will be relied on like never before in this series. We have seen him consistently produce on both ends of the ball this postseason. But if he can make another jump in his game as the Finals start, Phoenix’s chances at winning the series rise drastically.