2018 NBA Draft: Breaking down the DeAndre Ayton vs. Robert Williams matchup
By Connor Harr
2018 NBA Draft: Breaking down the matchup between Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams
Last week, the No. 7 ranked Texas A&M Aggies went up against the Arizona Wildcats. On paper, this matchup appeared to be an NBA Draft analysts dream matchup, pairing Arizona’s Deandre Ayton against A&M’s Robert Williams.
Both Ayton and Williams are projected lottery picks on any single mock draft that you’ll find at the moment. However, the game between the Aggies and Wildcats wasn’t every thing hoped for ahead of tip-off.
Let’s breakdown the matchup highly touted matchup between Ayton and Williams.
Deandre Ayton, C, Arizona
Freshman
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Big Board Rank: 3
Final stat line:13 points (4-9 FG, 0-2 from 3), 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
The Good: Deandre Ayton played a pretty average game. He had a nice contested faceup jump shot off a quick catch and jab step over Tyler Davis to start the game. Thinking he was going to be rolling from there. That was not the case. Ayton showed his athleticism and wingspan going up and making a great catch on a poor lob attempt, laying it in mid air.
His most impressive moment though was in the second half matched up in the low post against Robert Williams, who’s value in the NBA will be defense and rim protection. Ayton made a beautiful drop step right around Williams and finished with his left hand. He also rebounded the ball well, but that’s really just expected of Ayton.
The Bad: One of my only gripes with Ayton is how he seems to fail to know how to play any kind of help side defense, and it destroys his value as a rim protector. It is probably one of the only things holding him back from being a clear cut choice as the number one pick.
You can drive right through the line and Ayton will be on the opposite side block and not come up to contest a shot. His lack of defensive instincts isn’t that big of a concern, but the fact that you teach help side to defense to youth basketball players and he still doesn’t have the concept down shows that it is worth noting.
Ayton also struggled, particularly in the second half with defending Tyler Davis. Davis is a very physical player, and that seemed to present an issue to Ayton. Which is very uprising considering Ayton is a 7-foot-1 and 250 pound grown man at 18 years old. Given his overall frame it’s not a big deal at all. Especially since this is the only time this year I saw him shy away from contact.
Overall Impression: I was a little disappointed in Ayton’s performance after the show he put on playing against Brandon McCoy against UNLV. Where both of those future NBA guys blew up their draft stock. However, he didn’t get a lot of opportunities to score in this game. It became clear early on that A&M was going to make sure Ayton didn’t beat them, and they were going to make Arizona’s guards score all the points. Ayton didn’t do enough to help his draft stock, but he didn’t hurt it either. Although, I think that if Ayton would have finished with another 20 and 10 performance like he did against UNLV he would have some serious number one overall attention.
Robert Williams, C, Texas A&M
Sophomore
My Big Board Rank: 8
Final stat line: 4 points (2-6 FG, 0-1 from 3), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
The Good: Honestly, It was really hard to find some good in Robert Williams performance, but when you’re as talented and athletically gifted as Williams you’re always going to find some bright spots. He had a nice low post hook shot in the second half which surprised me, because last year at A&M he was a strictly put back and dunk guy on offense.
Williams showed his rim protecting strength blocking two shots, and one of them coming off of a drive from a smaller quick guard. He was guarding Arizona guard Dylan Smith on the perimeter and stayed with him step for step and sent his floater attempt into the stands. This is always a good sign to see from big men that can be athletic enough to guard the shorter, quicker guards on the perimeter on switches off the pick and roll, since it is used so highly in today’s NBA.
The Bad: Williams in the entire first half and even bits and pieces of the second played with zero effort. Sometimes he didn’t even bother to run down the court transitioning from defense to offense. When you are an elite rim protector and athlete like Williams is your value doubles to what you can accomplish on the floor playing with a high motor. Williams went out there and played with no motor at all.
Must Read: 2018 NBA Draft: Big board 1.0 and draft stock updates
Overall: I really wasn’t even able to get that much of a breakdown on Williams in this game. Most people who don’t know who Robert Williams is probably wouldn’t have even noticed he was playing in this game. If he doesn’t start playing with some intensity and some energy I think his draft stock will drop like crazy. I know he’s definitely going down on my big board and probably everyone else’s.