Landon Buford
After a game four victory, the Phoenix Suns took a commanding 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals. Devin Booker led the team in points with 25 while adding two rebounds in 38 minutes of play but fouled out late in the fourth quarter of the 84-80 victory on the road.
In 41 minutes of play, DeAndre Ayton scored 19 points, but what jumps off the page in the box score is the 22 rebounds.
After the game, NBA champion turned NBA analyst, Kendrick Perkins compared Ayton to Spurs legend David Robinson.
“This man DeAndre Ayton, the new modern-day right-handed David Robinson. Yes, I said it ‘The Admiral.’ This kid is very special; he dominated the floor on both ends of the floor. 19 points, 22 rebounds, nine offensive rebounds. He was relentless on the glass and anchored the defense, then switched one through five guarding the guards on the perimeter,” said Perkins.
“Then anchoring the middle, the Clippers couldn’t get nothing in the paint. That is why they had to settle for so many jumpers because he did a phenomenal job. So, with that being said, he was the best player on the floor, which is why the Suns won this game.”
Perkins is not the first former Clipper to compare Ayton to a former champion.
NBA analyst Ryan Hollins shared earlier this season, stated that Ayton could be the next Anthony Davis. Someone else who started his career under current Suns coach Monty Williams.
“Keep in mind Monty [Williams] had Anthony Davis before he was Anthony Davis. Monty was very instrumental in saying, “Hey AD, I want you to face up, I wanted you to be great at the pick and pop, said Hollins.
“I’m not saying Ayton is Anthony Davis, he is a different type of player, I’m not going to say he can’t be on that tier.”
During Chris Paul’s post game interview with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols, he shared that he is going to get Ayton paid.
“gonna get him a bag this summer,” according to NBA Insider Marc Stein.
The Suns will look to close out the Clippers in game five to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993.
