Surprising, at the start of the season, with his defensive activity and his statistics despite his small size (1m98), Ausar Thompson has since lost impact. His numbers are less good, offensively, he is less dangerous and his limits on outside shooting weigh him down.
However, with the arrivals of Mike Muscala and Danilo Gallinari, who are dangerous players from afar, the rookie can find a way to weigh in attack and score baskets near the circle: by setting screens. What if pick-and-roll was a solution?
“As soon as we can have players who shoot from afar, it opens up spaces and it gives openings for interior players, who can go to the circle and shoot. So it makes the defense think », analysis Monty Williams.
With his 15% 3-point success rate, Amen's brother can't really scare the opposing defense if he steps back after setting the screen. On the other hand, if he goes towards the basket, he becomes an interesting weapon.
“Ausar can be the one who goes to the circle. If the teams put a big on his back, then we can get rebounds because there will be little ones on our bigs. We can explore this option,” continues his coach.
A new Shawn Marion in this register?
This offers opportunities to the player and also to his teammates. “The numbers won't necessarily show that he scores when he plays the pick-and-roll, but he generates offense and we can get better shots that way”specifies the coach. “When he improves in shooting, it will give another weapon to his game, which will make him harder to defend. »
In the meantime, Monty Williams thinks of a flattering comparison, with a former All-Star, to use his small interior on pick-and-roll. “I remember Shawn Marion playing these sequences with Boris Diaw. The latter had the ball and Marion was going towards the circle. On the bench, we wondered how we were going to manage this”recalls the former Pelicans coach. “He did it with Bojan Bogdanovic the other day (against Charlotte). He set a screen and went to score a dunk. »
So be patient before Ausar Thompson becomes a reliable shooter. “His shooting performance in training gives us a lot of confidence for the future,” Monty Williams slipped recently. “When we see him shoot in training, we tell ourselves that one day or another, it will start. »
| Ausar Thompson | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | DET | 44 | 24 | 46.7 | 15.3 | 63.4 | 2.1 | 4.6 | 6.7 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 8.3 |
| Total | 44 | 24 | 46.7 | 15.3 | 63.4 | 2.1 | 4.6 | 6.7 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 8.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
