Fans of the Detroit Pistons collectively had one question for JB Bickerstaff after their gutting game six defeat to the Knicks: Where was Ausar Thompson?
I thought coach Bickerstaff mostly did a good job in this series. Of course, there are a million decisions in a playoff series that you might do differently when put under a microscope, and I am certain JB would agree.
Possibly his most head-scratching decision of the series was only playing Ausar Thompson 22 minutes per game. Thompson was Detroit’s best defender by a mile and was the only one with any chance to slow Jalen Brunson.
Brunson was mostly unstoppable last night and hit some clutch shots, but Thompson had several nice stops and was at least making life difficult for him when he was in there.
JB Bickerstaff went more with veterans Malik Beasley, Dennis Schroder and Tim Hardaway Jr. trying to coax some big shots out of guys who have hit them all season.
THJ was the inexplicable choice, as he couldn’t buy a bucket last night, had four turnovers and was a turnstile when he was on Brunson, who finished the game with 40 points.
Coach Bickerstaff went with the players he trusted most, but when you look at the numbers, it’s inexplicable that Ausar Thompson wasn’t one of them.
Ausar Thompson was a difference maker for the Detroit Pistons
Let’s start with an easy one: The Pistons were nearly 20 points better in net rating with Ausar Thompson on the floor.
And you don’t need numbers to back it up, you just have to watch, as he does some many things that impact the game.
Not only was he the only one giving Brunson any trouble at all, but he also had three steals and two blocks to go along with his 17 points and six rebounds. He had a crucial offensive rebound and put back late in the 4th and was all over the hustle plays all night.
I thought Bickerstaff was just saving Thompson in the first half so that he could play him for all of the second half and not be in foul trouble.
Instead, he kept him on the bench in key moments, including when he pulled him with 3:50 to go with the Pistons leading by seven. WHY?
The Knicks immediately went on a run to tie the game, as they did all series as soon as Thompson hit the bench.
I just don’t get pulling him there unless he thought Thompson was gassed or asked to come out of the game. Even if you were thinking ahead to his poor free-throw shooting, the game wasn’t to that point yet and the Pistons needed stops that they ultimately didn’t get.
I can’t get too mad. The Pistons just took a win-now team to six games and fought them for every second. The entire team, including coach JB Bickerstaff, can hold their heads high after a competitive series and transformational season.
But it’s going to be a long summer, and I do wonder if coach Bickerstaff will regret not playing Thompson more.