I love ayton and his offensive ability but I'm starting to question his defense. Arizona is getting scored on tremendously. This has made me start leaning toward Wendell Carter, who has a well balanced 2 way game
This is someone's critical take on aytons defense:
It's not that he's a big who can't protect the rim. He's clueless. KAT is struggling to defend in the NBA, but he tries. He doesn't miss every rotation, he's not lost on every switch, he knows when to block and when not to (actually, that 's not entirely true)l ike ayton does. Ayton doesn't box out properly, has no feel for waiting for the perfect moment to contest, doesn't communicate on defense...
And to me, the biggest flaw of his (and other bad defenders that make me cringe) : He has no idea what tendencies are. He guards elite 3pt shooters the same way he guards slash-only guards. He doesn't direct traffic or forces guys to their weak hand, or sags off bad shooters...he just...sticks around until a shot is made.
Okafor, who is heavily criticized, has all those instincts but his motor and physical tools limit his defensive upside. He'll never be a great defender. But Ayton has it all. He reminds me of Kansas Wiggins; all the tools