Ayo is just about all the right things- great man, unbelievable work ethic, great teammate. As a Bulls fan, I'm so happy for him that he got traded to a competent franchise and that he's getting this moment.
Illini in the Pros (Basketball)
hooraybeer
- Peoria, IL
never thought i’d say it but i’ll be watching quite a bit of the NBA playoffs it appears
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
The thing with Ayo that became very clear here once we got good, he is the rare person that genuinely craves the pressure and spotlight of the big game, big shot, big moment.
A lot of guys are capable of performing under that microscope, but with Ayo it's like he only truly feels like himself in those situations.
Him dropping to the 38th pick just gets more ridiculous by the year, the league just screwed that eval up completely. They saw a one-dimensional player in a way that you had to squint really hard to justify at the time and it was immediately clear was completely wrong.
If Edwards and DiVincenzo are out long term (which appears to be the case) they will need more of that from Ayo and will need good minutes from TSJ too.
If they can get one more win despite those injuries you would figure they're a sitting duck for the Spurs, but who knows!
A lot of guys are capable of performing under that microscope, but with Ayo it's like he only truly feels like himself in those situations.
Him dropping to the 38th pick just gets more ridiculous by the year, the league just screwed that eval up completely. They saw a one-dimensional player in a way that you had to squint really hard to justify at the time and it was immediately clear was completely wrong.
We'll see if the Wolves can close out the Nuggets.
If Edwards and DiVincenzo are out long term (which appears to be the case) they will need more of that from Ayo and will need good minutes from TSJ too.
If they can get one more win despite those injuries you would figure they're a sitting duck for the Spurs, but who knows!
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Keaton Wagler, double fisting: "Both of you hang onto these for a second"
Don’t forget Ohio State, Michigan State…
Goose bumps and onion cutting. We owe so much to Ayo for where we are today.
Yep downtown Freddy Brown I think had 45 in 1976Second-most player bench points in NBA playoff history…
Yeah. Guy on Sportcenter said “Fred Brown,” and I was yelling at my tv, “That’s Downtown Freddy Brown to you, you young punk!”
Maybe too hot a take, but I don't think the T'wolves are hopeless without Ant and DiV. Ayo + TSJ can come close to the same production, IMO. This will just be the first time that each of them have the PT to shine (especially TSJ.) Depth might be the bigger problem. I'd love to see 2 Illini show out for the same team in the playoffs.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
Magic weighs in:
I got this one wrong.
Goillinikobd
- Southeastern US
Ayo, 43 OFF THE BENCH for the WIN, PLAYOFF GAME
5/5 and 12/12
You gotta be kidding me.
Playoff basketball, two starters out with injuries.
Anyone ever done anything like this?
5 tool offensive weapon, 3 pt, FT, layup, floater and mid range.
5/5 and 12/12
You gotta be kidding me.
Playoff basketball, two starters out with injuries.
Anyone ever done anything like this?
5 tool offensive weapon, 3 pt, FT, layup, floater and mid range.
When?
The high school debate was interesting. I never had a good sense of who would have the greatest college success.
College and the pros was easy for me. I never understood the attraction of a short guy who didn't shoot well. ISU fans had already soured on him as he left.
But he,started our nicely and his Laker teammates seemed to think well of him.
But at the end of the day he just didn't offer much. He had a great agent to get him what he got for his limited skills.
The cool thing about Ayo is I think a lot of people pigeonholed him into just being an off the ball spot up shooter/defensive player. But he’s showing he can be a go to guy.
They are different players, but I think he can follow in the footsteps of Fred VanVleet. Where it took awhile for a team to truly buy in to Fred being a starting PG, a guy you can win a title with. But it eventually happened. And the Raptors won a title and then the Rockets gave him a huge deal. Ayo has far more athleticism than Fred so I think perhaps even greater upside. Neither 1st round picks that had to grind their way into the league
They are different players, but I think he can follow in the footsteps of Fred VanVleet. Where it took awhile for a team to truly buy in to Fred being a starting PG, a guy you can win a title with. But it eventually happened. And the Raptors won a title and then the Rockets gave him a huge deal. Ayo has far more athleticism than Fred so I think perhaps even greater upside. Neither 1st round picks that had to grind their way into the league
I love to watch him drive around a guy between him and the basket. It looks like he is going around a manager who will wave a paddle at him as he goes past.
