The NBA semifinals began, on the Western Side, the Suns won the first game against the Lone Ranger, and the Suns' main center Ayton played well again. On 12-of-20 shooting, he had 25 points and eight rebounds and made no mistakes. Facing an empty Lone Ranger on the inside, Ayton seized the opportunity well, unlike the Lone Ranger's first-round opponent Jazz center Gobert.
As a team with very average internal strength, the Lone Rangers traded Porzingis to the Wizards in the regular season this season, in exchange for Dinwiddie and others. While Dinwiddie has done well on several occasions with the Lone Ranger, without Porzingis, the Lone Ranger's ability to protect the basket has continued to decline, both in terms of interior height and ability to protect the basket.
Coming to the playoffs, facing Ayton, who was in hot form in the first round of the playoffs, the Lone Ranger could only consider himself unlucky. Whether it's an inside attack, a block or a mid-range shot, Ayton played to his level against the Pelicans in the first round. A game was played, and his grasp was quite sufficient, and the sun was given enough help on both ends of the attack and defense.
With another outburst, Ayton has also continued to storm the playoffs this season. He currently plays in seven playoff games this season, averaging 21.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, shooting 68 percent from the field. Compared to last season's playoffs and his first career playoff average of 15.8 points and 11.8 rebounds per game, Ayton has undoubtedly played better this season.
In these 7 games, Ayton has 20+ performances in 5 games, and 1 has 19 points and 9 rebounds, which is also quite good. Ayton, whose contract is about to expire this summer and will become a restricted free agent, has also used his performance to show the Suns what he is capable of, proving that he is also qualified to get a maximum salary like fellow rookies Doncic and has the ability to help Paul and Booker.
At present, the players who have averaged at least 21 points and 9 rebounds per game in the playoffs this season, in addition to Ayton, only the Bucks' alphabet brother, the Nuggets' Jokic, Philadelphia's Embiid, the Lone Ranger's Doncic, and the Timberwolves' Downs are left. None of these players are at the top salary or about to get a super salary, and Ayton obviously has such a value.
If you can continue to play such a performance. I believe that Ayton's maximum salary will not be too far away.