Uber-athletic Detroit Pistons’ rookie Ausar Thompson’s name was bandied about in mock drafts throughout the spring and summer, and now that basketball season is about to begin it’ll be mentioned in debates regarding Rookie of the Year. Victor Wembanyama is the clear favorite, while the likes of Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller and second-year pro Chet Holmgren currently comprise the second tier of contenders. Thompson’s name will be tossed around with words like “longshot,” and, “dark horse,” but is he really either of those things? It’s clear that he’s going to play a crucial role on this Pistons team and he may well make a much stronger case to win the award than anticipated.
Ausar Thompson’s path to Rookie of the Year
Offense
Although he has indisputable athleticism, one question yet to be answered is how developed is his offensive game? It’s a question made a bit more intriguing with a couple of interesting developments.
Head Coach Monty Williams has utilized Thompson in the starting lineup, which isn’t really a surprise. That was always a when not an if. It is, however, somewhat eye-opening that he has also decided to give him some serious run at shooting guard. Monty recently stressed that nothing is set in stone but in the era of so-called positionless basketball, Ausar has immediately established his utility.
Thompson’s a high-tempo slasher and after a few preseason games has fashioned himself into a more disciplined and slightly taller version of Russel Westbrook when he’s off ball, with the added benefit of not being a treacherous blackhole on ball. So many fans of the NBA wondered what Westbrook could be with a reliable jumper. Thompson may be able to approximate an answer to that question.
Thompson shot 40 percent from long range in the preseason, which was good to see. If he can get near that number on the season, he’ll be in the running for RoY, as he’s already good at everything else.
We know he’s going to get buckets in transition, while his instincts and athleticism will carry him for now in half-court sets. There is plenty of opportunity for Ausar to seize in Monty’s “point-five offense.” How important he becomes in it will be a major X-factor in his candidacy to win RoY.
Ausar Thompson’s path to Rookie of the Year
Defense
Ausar is destined to become a dominant force on the defensive side of the ball. His 6-foot-7 frame is accentuated by a 6-foot-10 wingspan. He can effectively guard positions 1-4 and flashes the ability to be a true menace as a help defender. It may have been against the inferior talent of the Overtime Elite but he averaged four “stocks” (combined steals and blocks) per game. He is a prolific shot-blocker for a wing defender. One can tinker with all the Overtime Elite statistics they wish, but the level of competition obscures those numbers to the point of vagary.
The eye test is another story. Thompson has shown his ability to be a defensive playmaker all over the court. He’s a blur who’s going to generate turnovers that will often lead to an easy basket for the Pistons on the other end. His ability to contest shots and make things difficult for whoever he’s guarding may not show up in the box score, but it will contribute to the culture that is evolving in The D.
Dennis Rodman’s fist-pumping hustle was infectious in the 1980s, and his teammates fed off his energy. The same can be said of the impact Ben Wallace’s defensive dominance had on his teammates in the early 2000s. Thompson is neither “The Worm” or “The Fro,” but he is the rare defender who has that kind of upside. As Ausar’s rookie campaign unfolds, should he prove to be the team’s defensive engine, that’ll help to catapult him into the RoY debates proliferating sports media next spring.
To do this he probably needs to lead all rookies in combined steals and blocks (stocks) for the season, which is a possibility, as he averaged 1.8 in the preseason, a number that will go up with increased minutes.
He’s also a plus rebounder for the position, averaging 9.3 rebounds per game in the preseason. Defensive rebounds finish possessions and Ausar has the ability to grab them and go the other way.
Leading rookies in “stocks” while averaging nearly a double-double will get him some attention for RoY.
Ausar Thompson’s path to Rookie of the Year
Help from the other Pistons
Whether it’s the NFL, MLB, or the NBA – rarely does the league’s MVP belong to a loser. The Pistons are going to need to win some games for their players to get recognized as being worthy of accolades like 6th Man of the Year, or Most Improved Player. They’re coming off a forgettable 17-win campaign so in some regards, the bar is low. If they can double that output, and maybe even make a convincing run at a .500 season, individual recognition will come.
The list of potential Rookie of the Year candidates is a long one that includes Ausar’s twin brother Amen. It’s fraught with rookie walls and steep competition. Whether the Detroit Pistons elevate themselves higher than the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Charlotte Hornets, and Oklahoma City Thunder is a vital question that will not only be an indicator in the Rookie of the Year race, but also, future clashes for the Larry O’Brien trophy.
So all Ausar Thompson has to do is average a double-double, be the defensive anchor for the Detroit Pistons while leading all rookies in combined steals and blocks. Sounds like a challenge, but one Ausar Thompson will be up to.