DeAndre Ayton blames his Blazers struggles on sleeping on air mattress

NBA Star DeAndre Ayton blamed his early season struggles on sleeping on an air mattress, as the $32 million-a-year center reveals he didn’t have a bed until now.

After Thursday evening’s defeat against New York KnicksAyton, 25, opened up about some of the obstacles he faced when he arrived Portlandearlier this season, and how they shaped him to finally show the potential the Trail Blazers had been counting on since acquiring the Phoenix Suns before training camp.

“I had all the money in the world, but at the same time some things are inhumane, because money doesn’t matter, you just have to have your staff and the support they need,” Ayton said. Oregon livelast week.

After months of inconsistent performance, Ayon is averaging 29 points and 16.8 rebounds in his last four games. In six of his last seven outings, he has scored 20 points and collected 10 rebounds. The big man had 12 points and six rebounds in Game 7 before leaving the court in the second half with a sprained wrist.

Earlier this season, Ayton wasn’t as dominant as he is now. But, at the time, Ayton said Thursday, his struggles weren’t just limited to having to play in an entirely different offense than Phoenix and getting familiar with new players.

Deandre Ayton finally settles in Portland, averaging 29 points over his last four games

“My body wasn’t just my body,” he said. “People forget the human difference of adapting to everything.”

This included something as routine as improving one’s sleeping habits.

“I’m just comfortable waking up,” Ayton said. “I didn’t have a bed for a while. I was on an air mattress. I’m just trying to understand this.

Ayton is also grateful to the “haters” for fueling his recent run and agreed with Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups to now show flashes of his “unlocked” potential.

The 25-year-old center has scored 20 points and collected 10 rebounds in six of his last seven outings.

‘Certainly. Coming into these games, I try to do everything,” he said. “Not just my demands for this team, but much more. And that’s where I am. I’m just more dominant. People like to laugh about it, but it’s the truth.

Ayton’s success is what Billups envisioned after the team acquired him in the three-team trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.

“I think we unlocked him and we’re getting the best version of him, offensively of course,” Billups said. “He’s a monster, man. It’s a monster on the glass. He’s been everywhere. He was great.

The Trail Blazers will next face the Chicago Bulls later today.