Since Troy Weaver assumed the role of GM, the Detroit Pistons haven’t had a player on the NBA All-Rookie team, marking a departure from previous seasons.
While Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren all secured spots, there was anticipation for Ausar Thompson to join them, given his strong start to the 2023-24 season and remarkable all-around performance. However, he ultimately didn’t make the cut.
While Monty Williams has faced criticism for the team’s dismal season, the responsibility for Ausar Thompson’s absence from the All-Rookie team falls squarely on him.
Monty Williams: Benching one of your best players
Early on, it became evident that despite Ausar Thompson’s struggles with long-range shooting, he ranked among the top five players on the Pistons team. However, he found himself on the bench in December due to promises of improved spacing on the court that never materialized.
Consequently, he started only 38 out of 63 games, despite being recognized as the Pistons’ most effective defensive player. While the team sought better spacing, with Cade Cunningham in mind, Thompson’s poor three-point shooting, at 18 percent, didn’t contribute positively to that objective. Nonetheless, the Pistons struggled across the board, particularly on defense, and omitting him from the starting lineup had more detrimental effects than benefits. By Thanksgiving, the Pistons’ season was effectively over following a historic losing streak, raising questions as to why Thompson, their second-best player, wasn’t given more opportunities for development.
In pursuit of the elusive spacing, the coach, Monty Williams, opted for Kevin Knox and Isaiah Livers instead of Thompson. However, Livers was later traded, and Knox, who had a dismal season and didn’t play a single minute for his new team, couldn’t deliver as expected. It’s perplexing why these two players were favored over Thompson. Additionally, the decision to start Killian Hayes in 31 games, who is now out of the league, adds to the confusion. While much criticism has been directed at Monty’s handling of Jaden Ivey, his treatment of Ausar Thompson was equally if not more questionable.
The Detroit Pistons not using Ausar Thompson creatively
Once Monty finally decided to reintegrate Ausar into the starting lineup, he consistently underutilized him on offense by relegating him to a stationary role in the corner, which was a glaring misstep considering Ausar’s athleticism and ability to drive to the basket, despite his shooting limitations. It was a flawed strategy, to say the least.
Contrast this with Amen Thompson’s usage in Houston, where despite playing fewer games than his twin brother, he managed to secure a spot on the All-Rookie team. Amen was deployed in various screen actions, both on and off the ball, showcasing his versatility as a potent offensive weapon. He was deployed across multiple positions, from power forward to point guard to center, and crucially, he was allowed opportunities to initiate plays with the ball.
Despite having a poorer three-point shooting record than Ausar, Amen received more recognition due to his strong end to the season, his team’s comparatively better performance, and the fact that his coach effectively capitalized on his skill set, resulting in some standout performances.
Monty Williams’ handling of Ausar’s development can be described as nothing short of detrimental, hence my belief that Ausar Thompson ranks as the second most vital player on the Pistons. We’ve only scratched the surface of his potential, largely due to a coach whose offensive strategies were severely lacking.
Ausar’s season was unfortunately cut short due to blood clots, but it’s undeniable that he deserved a spot on the All-Rookie team. If anyone deserves blame for his underwhelming recognition, aside from mere misfortune, it rests squarely on the shoulders of Monty Williams.
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