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://www.basketball-reference.com
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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37 Comments
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.
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
Just wait until Cooper Flagg enters the league
Ausar has the right type of mentality that will endear him to the city of Detroit. I love that mindset as well. I hope is he continues to excel and keep the injuries to minimum.
Reminds me of a young Scottie Pippen
Fingers crossed he can learn to knock down corner threes. Although – if he's that good on defense – his athleticism may work for his offensive style, just let him roam Dunkers spots to elbows/nail, since he's a good passer & rebounder. Might be sensible to find another big who can shoot well though.
Thank you for this video. Great stuff and its just amazing to watch Ausars defense. How the hell can he mirror his opponent this good 😮
Great analysis!
So you're saying he's good because he has low recovery frames (dark souls).
I wouldnt say he reminds me playstyle wise of dennis rodman (although he's 6'7 averaging 10 boards at 19 😂) But the way and intensity he plays with definitely reminds me of him he's lockdown hustling menace
Beginning to think Ben is not a fan of Shai
If he develops a handle, he will be an all nba player
He is the new Kawhi Leonard
Hope to have him in a Warriors Uniform <3
Ngl i see a prime 28 year old ausar averaging like 21 10 and 4 with a pair of steals and a block
He’s herb jones with maxed out athleticism attributes
He remind me of a 2009 and 2011 lebron defensive where they could materialize plays on defense at the rim and the way he could switch on to smaller players and the way they cover ground
Doubt this happens but let's hope he doesn't become Stanley Johnson 2.0. Develop an offensive game young man!
That's scottie
YESSS thank you bro for making this!!! I'm a life long Pistons fan and it's so surreal watching him play. He's blocked more jump shots already than anyone else's career I can remember lol
When Ben and Cody started talking about Ausar on the podcast about a week ago, my first thought was to go check out his highlights. But then I realized I could just wait for the video. When Ben talks about a guy like he did Ausar, when he sounds bewildered by the very existence of the basketball player he's describing, you know he's cooking up a video.
yay defense