JB Bickerstaff has been reluctant to tinker with the Detroit Pistons’ starting five, as we’ve seen Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Tim Hardaway Jr., Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren every game when all five were available.
There is value in having roles, establishing veteran players early and making the young guys earn minutes off the bench, so I’ve had no problem with how coach Bickerstaff has handled his lineups.
But there is also value in rewarding the young players when they respond and we’re at that point with Ausar Thompson, who has been a difference maker every time he steps on the court and has outplayed his veteran counterparts.
Detroit Pistons lineups: It’s time for Ausar Thompson to start or at least play starter's minutes
Thompson is still ramping into shape after missing all of training camp and the beginning of the season, and he’s up to 17 minutes per game.
Starting him would allow him to get additional run and help the Pistons establish their defense early, something they haven’t done lately.
It would also allow coach Bickerstaff to stagger Thompson and rookie Ron Holland II, so that there is nearly always a quality perimeter defender on the court.
Thompson isn’t going to create the space that Tim Hardaway Jr. or Tobias Harris might, but right now he is shooting 48.8 percent from the floor, far better than either of the veterans.
Tim Hardaway Jr.
THJ hasn’t been terrible, though he doesn’t offer much on defense. He’s shooting 41 percent overall and 36 percent from long range. He doesn’t rebound or create for anyone else, so if he’s not hitting shots, he’s not a factor.
Moving him to the bench would potentially hurt the Pistons’ spacing but their defense would undoubtedly improve, which may prevent some of these big first quarters they've been allowing and help the team start with more energy.
The THJ question may be answered by the trade deadline, as his expiring contract could be on the move somewhere, but even before then, Ausar should be getting some of his minutes whether he starts or not.
Tobias Harris
Harris is putting up the worst shooting numbers of his career at 42 percent from the floor and 32 percent from long range.
Harris has been a positive for this team overall, but he hasn’t shot the ball well, particularly of late, shooting just 37 percent overall in his last 10 games.
Harris does grab rebounds, but so does Ausar Thompson, so swapping the two in the starting five could be a short-term option. It might be good for Harris, who can get a few more shots off the bench and be featured in post ups against lesser defenders.
But this does come down to JB Bickerstaff and the roles he’s trying to establish for his young guys. There’s also the argument that guys like Harris and THJ have earned the right to start.
If coach Bickerstaff wants to keep that continuity, it’s understandable, but at some point, Ausar Thompson has to play more than 17 minutes per game whether it’s off the bench or in the starting five.