Gustavo Ayon Fails to Make NBA Rising Stars Challenge

by Brian Ball on Feb 9, 2012 11:00 AM CST in News

The NBA announced its "Rising Stars Challenge" roster pool yesterday. Unlike previous iterations, the game will feature 18 players on two teams selected by TNT's Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. Via SBNation, here are the all eighteen invited participants:

ROOKIES: Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers), Derrick Williams (Timberwolves), Tristan Thompson (Cavaliers), Ricky Rubio (Timberwolves), Brandon Knight (Pistons), Kemba Walker (Bobcats), Markieff Morris (Suns), Kawhi Leonard (Spurs), Marshon Brooks(Nets).

SOPHOMORES: Blake Griffin (Clippers), John Wall (Wizards), Evan Turner (76ers),DeMarcus Cousins (Kings), Greg Monroe (Pistons), Gordon Hayward (Jazz), Paul George (Pacers), Landry Fields (Knicks), Tiago Splitter (Spurs).

The Hornets' Greivis Vasquez, Xavier Henry, and Gustavo Ayon could have theoretically qualified, though it's difficult to imagine either Vasquez or Henry trumping the sophomore list, which features primarily starting level players with significantly better minutes, production, and efficiency.

Gustavo Ayon, meanwhile, has a strong case when only efficiency is considered. Here are the rookie leaders in PER for a minimum 15 games played in 2011-2012:

                                                  
                                      Tota        
Rk             Player  Season Age  Tm    G GS  PER
1        Kyrie Irving 2011-12  19 CLE   23 23 21.6
2        Gustavo Ayon 2011-12  26 NOH   18  1 21.0
3        Jimmy Butler 2011-12  22 CHI   16  0 19.5
4      MarShon Brooks 2011-12  23 NJN   17  9 18.4
5      Nikola Vucevic 2011-12  21 PHI   16  3 18.4
6       Tobias Harris 2011-12  19 MIL   16  0 18.1
7           Jon Leuer 2011-12  22 MIL   23  6 18.1
8         Ricky Rubio 2011-12  21 MIN   25 15 17.2
9         Enes Kanter 2011-12  19 UTA   24  0 15.9
10      Isaiah Thomas 2011-12  22 SAC   24  0 14.9

Ayon's candidacy, though, falls short when considering his overall minutes. Monty Williams has simply not used him in the consistently expanded role many Hornets fans have wanted for him, and as a result, his overall counting stats haven't been nearly as impressive.

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Yep

when watching most of these guys, you get the feeling that Ayon belongs. However, as you mentioned, due to the lack of time, there is just no way Gustavo could make the team.

by RedHopeful on Feb 9, 2012 11:16 AM CST reply actions

As The Year Goes

His role will be expanded. He just wasn’t showcased enough to get the invite. Not that it matters. I don’t think either Collison or Thornton were invited in 2010. I took much bigger issue with that.

Seasoned by Zatarains

by MrWayneKeller on Feb 9, 2012 1:16 PM CST up reply actions

You believe this with 100% certainty?

Sure Kaman is likely to get traded and maybe even Landry. However, Smith will be back soon and I wouldn’t be surprised to see us land another young big. Also when you view the game logs, nothing indicates to me Ayon is on an upward trend.

I really want for you to be right but I just don’t know anymore. I get the feeling that to Monty, everything is about winning WHILE doing it the right way (to him). This means that young guys not as familiar with him will always get jerked around due to an error or two. I feel he thinks this is just a natural part of their growth. Didn’t we last year all question at one time or another about minutes regarding Thornton, Smith, Pondexter and Gray?

I just think it’s logical for us to question Monty’s handling until he develops a positive track record.

by RedHopeful on Feb 9, 2012 1:40 PM CST up reply actions

Possibly

Ayon did just play 32 minutes the other night, though. Unfortunately, he’ll lose minutes to Jason Smith when Smith comes back but I don’t see why Ayon won’t continue to get extended minutes.

All that said, Ayon’s not exactly world beatin’ it out there either. He’s better than any other big we’ve got available right now (well…. Okafor’s better but Ayon’s playing better) but he’s not going out there and making it to where Monty HAS to play him all the time. Nobody on this team really dominates the minutes. I’d love to see Okafor get a lot more playing time but it doesn’t happen. I just think Ayon has become this year’s Thornton in that he’s someone everyone wants to see play and therefore everyone just pays attention to his minutes distribution and not much else. Again, I do believe his role will be expanded.

Seasoned by Zatarains

by MrWayneKeller on Feb 9, 2012 2:00 PM CST up reply actions