Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Deandre Ayton has phrase Suns’ fans will laugh at during Blazers presser

By Justin Lee

PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 02: Deandre Ayton #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers poses for a portrait during Blazers Media Day at Veterans Memorial Coliseum on October 02, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 02: Deandre Ayton #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers poses for a portrait during Blazers Media Day at Veterans Memorial Coliseum on October 02, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

There has always been a narrative, whether you believe it is true or not, that the former Phoenix Suns’ first overall pick, Deandre Ayton, has motor issues, as they call it. When he was drafted, there were questions about whether he ever loved the game or played it for the money.

I’m not saying he doesn’t love the game because, frankly, that isn’t my place to say, but we have seen some sort of motor issues from Ayton in his past with the Suns.

Most of the motor issues we saw came as recent as last year’s playoffs, where he was outplayed by almost every big man who stepped foot in front of him. But, he wasn’t outplayed because he was playing terribly; he just wasn’t trying, is what it looked like anyway.

He was asked about his motor before Game 5 against the Los Angeles Clippers in the postseason this past season.

“Yeah, I don’t know what that is, man,” Ayton said to the media during a practice. “Motor? Come on, bro. I play both ends of the floor; my name is ‘DominAyton.’ I anchor the Phoenix Suns on both ends of the floor. Motor? Really? We’re going to talk about motor, man? Nope! I run on Tesla battery.”

And, sure, he described what his role is supposed to be and what his position is supposed to be, but he didn’t describe what he does. That alone made Suns’ fans laugh because they were all watching it in person or on TV, and most of the time, Ayton did not look like he had a high motor.

Since then, he has been traded to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of the Jusuf Nurkic deal. During their media day, he was asked a very similar question, and his response should help Suns’ fans get their laugh in for the day.

“I bring dominance. My name is DominAyton,” he said.

That was one of the biggest takeaways from Media Day, and it wasn’t even at the Suns. Of course, everyone hopes nothing but the best for him in Portland, where he gets a fresh start and gets to be the guy. However, if you asked me, I’d say he definitely does not have a Tesla battery, but more like a Prius battery.

Home/Suns News