The Detroit Pistons want to change the perception that they’re a bottom-rung team. Though they haven’t pivoted away from a youth movement, they’ve attempted to rectify last season’s issues by signing players who can balance the floor and teach their core pieces how to navigate through the league. Tobias Harris, who is entering his 14th NBA season, has already taken Ron Holland and Ausar Thompson —selected fifth overall in back-to-back drafts—under his wing.
In Holland’s case, the focus has been on his diet. The Texas native isn’t in danger of being too heavy or having too much body fat. Nonetheless, a player’s nutrition goes a long way toward helping them stay on the court.
With Thompson, he’s trying to help the young forward tap into his shooting potential. During the Pistons Media Day, Thompson acknowledged that Harris would often say, “AT, come shoot with me” (h/t Omari Sanfoka II of the Detroit Free Press). At no point during his rookie season did he receive that type of invite.
Pistons Promising Wing Ausar Thompson Adding To Game, Awaiting Clearance
Thompson’s ability to improve as an outside shooter will be a storyline throughout the season.
However, the more pressing issue is getting him cleared for training camp and beyond. The 21-year-old can participate in individual workouts but his season-ending blood clot was a serious medical concern. So, there’s “no timeline” on when he’ll be back in action, per Pistons president Trajan Langdon (h/t Larry Lage of the Associated Press).
In the meantime, it’s good to see Thompson working on his 3-ball with shooting guru Fred Vinson. In the following clip, posted by Brandon Dent of Woodward Sports, Thompson’s stroke looked more fluid than last season. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to tell from the video angle how efficient he was during the drill.
A quick look around the gym for the first day of #Pistons training camp
Ausar Thompson is most featured and you can see his improved shooting form working with Fred Vinson pic.twitter.com/UXuHT6XSrP
— Brandon Dent | @WoodwardSports #DetroitKoolAid (@DetroitKoolAid) October 1, 2024
Thompson has also been working on his ball-handling “a lot,” telling Ku Khalil of Locked On Pistons that he feels “very confident” in his ability to make more plays off the dribble this season.
I asked Ausar Thompson on if he’s improved as a ball-handler this offseason:
“You’ll see some handles” pic.twitter.com/2QCbz7cEJi
— Ku (@KuKhahil) September 30, 2024
That should work out to he and the Pistons’ benefit.
A Common Misconception
The questions about Thompson’s jumper are often phrased as if he needs to be a marksman to stay on the floor. This is partially due to the fact that Detroit didn’t have a lot of reliable three-point threats last season. It’s also a byproduct of the oversimplification of basketball; people thinking spacing is only created by players making 3-pointers.
However, players who need a 3-ball aren’t usually viable on-ball scorers or playmakers. That doesn’t match the scouting report on Thompson.
He’s just underutilized as a point-forward, his ability to create scoring opportunities ignored by former head coach Monty Williams. Yet, off-ball screens, movement, and shooters could really make for an interesting wrinkle when he has control of the ball.
Ausar Thompson scoring off the dribble
Hoping to see more on ball reps making decisions out of the P&R in year two#DetroitBasketball⭐️ pic.twitter.com/rHNaVMzClu
— nick (@nick__xo) August 15, 2024
That isn’t to say that Thompson doesn’t need to worry about becoming a bigger three-point threat. It would benefit every player to be as efficient as they can from three to make rim runs easier. Nonetheless, if Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff emphasizes pace, ball-movement, and versatility, their offense will automatically have a higher ceiling.
Williams’s most glaring weakness last season may have been his decision not to lean into his player’s strengths. That’s not an issue Bickerstaff had with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
All-Defensive Ausar?
In any event, for Thompson to get consistent minutes, all a coach has to do is appreciate his on-ball defense.
At 6-foot-7 and 215 pounds, the lean wing is a defensive menace. He guards multiple positions, giving his man so little breathing room they could get claustrophobia. He’s also confident, believing that he can’t be scored on; the mark of an elite defender.
I asked Ausar where he believes he’s best utilized defensively:
“I’ll be wherever JB puts me…”
Says when he’s on ball he truly believes “you can’t score on me”. pic.twitter.com/7w0tKrvSOY
— Ku (@KuKhahil) September 30, 2024
After not making an All-Rookie team last season, Thompson likely hopes to make a lot of noise in 2024-25. The Rising Stars Challenge, hosted during All-Star Weekend, could be in his sights. An All-Defensive selection would be even more impressive though. For him, it’s also realistic.
