Ausar Thompson shut down Shai Gilgeous Alexander in their first ever meeting, and he’s hounded superstars like Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard and more. He’s also channeling Dennis Rodman as one of the best rebounders in the league…as a wing! This detailed film breakdown & scouting report explores how the Pistons rookie guard uses his incredible athleticism to defend opposing superstars, help out in the paint, cut and rebound.
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Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
Stats courtesy:
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https://stats.nba.com
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Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.
Music by Nemesis
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47 Comments
This Rookie class is looking scary good
man he’s fun to watch
He's like flash disapearing for 0.25 sec and reappearing to block xD
Making statements like these through 10 games is how you lose your credibility.
I have this dude in NBA fantasy. He's an absolute monster on the glass and defensively
Yo, what about a video on Bam Adebayo and his case for DPOY this season? Media seems to underrate him a lot.
Isn't Amen supposed to be an even better athlete
His defense is like a 6'6 hakeem olajuwon
"Centres who all won MVPs". That can't be right.
Shai dropped 32pts that game and did cook the rookie….Ausar is a true talent and an athletic beast; so what doesn't make sense is you being surprised that a lottery pick rookie can block the shot of anyone in the NBA…
Top 5 defender already
If he can become a league average shooter. Is his ceiling an all-nba Bruce brown?
WOW amazing .
I love this player archetype! He is the evolution of Thybulle and Herb, and it's so much fun to watch on defense.
Detroit really hit gold on this pick
Just wish they can develop him, Cade and Duren the proper way and supply them with better vets
I was just hoping that OKC was gonna get a chance to draft him. He’d fit perfect with them.
As many of you have pointed out, 4-time Defensive Player of the Year Dikembe Mutombo never won an MVP. 😂 I shortened the line from "hall of fame centers" to "MVPs" and completely forgot he was in the picture.
What impressive defensive IQ, technique and desire to go with a crazy physical profile. Defenders usually have the heart and drive to improve into great all-around players I.e. Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, T-Mac, etc
Ausar is a help defender and not a true centre or defensive forward, he's too light now to make either of those two categories. Maybe he becomes like a lighter draymond green once he adds some weight. His combination of passing , speedy running , and defense could make up for his lack of long rangedness
Hanamichi breed
I thought I was the only one that was amazed by Ausar defensive play. Honestly his help defense and lock down defense reminds me of Mikes first couple of years. Their defensive style is similar.
best case: kawhi
worst case: aaron gordon
Oooo I like this kid
All the hype is on Wemby but watch Ausar sneak in the ROTY trophy. By the way he has a maximum height reach 1 in higher than Wemby.
Before the draft I told everyone that his floor was all nba defense. People started saying I dont know what the floor meant. So I said the minute he steps into the league him and his brother would be all defensive the minute they lace them up. My eyes were correct.
I can't even explain how impressive this kid is. It's about time people used their athleticism on D, I really hope he can become a modern day Kirilenko.
Them twins was made in a basketball factory. Lol😂
Thompson twins, Victor, Chet, Scottie Barnes, Herb Jones, Evan Mobley. DEFENSIVE ERA INCOMING.
All Defense for a rookie would impressive
Its sad that his twin doesnt get the playing time he deserves. We couldve been watching them both go crazy
Detroit had a lot of potential. OKC esk
thanks for putting this guy on my radar bro <3
Bro really uses every single ounce of his insane athleticism to use..def going to be a perennial All Defensive guy if healthy
He got “Defensive Prime” Klay Thompson feet🔥
Between Cade, Ausar, and Duren (and Ivey once he figures out the game more), I'm actually excited once again to be a Pistons fan. We still need some work and find that piece that will space out the floor for those guys to fully take advantage of their abilities. The defensive side looks really solid however, and that's a great start.
Lol look at Billy Donovan at 2:55 😂
Pistons and great rebounding guys are made for each other
Both Thompson twins have hugely underrated passing ability because they read the game at an altogether different level when compared to other rookies, and to be honest, when compared to a lot of veterans. Some of their passes from the summer league really made me sit up in my chair, rewind the play and watch it again in slow motion.
It's been said, there has never been a great passer who wasn't also an intelligent player.
Even if ausar only becomes league average offensively, his unbelievable athleticism and defensive instincts will make him a key rotation player for many years. I personally believe he can become a good offensive player… which in that case we are talking about an all-nba caliber player
it’s here
So he’s Russell Westbrook outta college😭
He reminds me of a hybrid MJ + Penny Hardaway
I love to see a defensive savant.
Ausar in a Steve Kerr offense would be nasty.
he also is 2nd in the nba in total rebounds which is nuts
Seeing this kind of defensive IQ from a rookie is awesome
imagine if Ben Simmons actually cared