Ausar Thompson’s sport meshes along with his function. He’s the Pistons’ high perimeter defender, considered one of their finest playmakers in transition and an excellent rebounder for his dimension. The group is 9-2 in January regardless of shedding Jaden Ivey on New Yr’s Day, largely because of Thompson. “(It’s) us just trying to monitor him and keep him as fresh as we best possibly can, and honestly on some days that’s different,” Bickerstaff said of the minute restriction. “Sometimes I can look at him and see, ok he’s doing good. Different occasions I’ll have a look at him and suppose he wants a break. Simply relying on the tempo of the sport — what number of breaks, what number of stoppages, free throws — all of these issues play a component in it. The timeout state of affairs round it, clearly these issues influence the size of his stretches. And it’s kinda a intestine really feel as you’re going into the sport as properly.” -via Detroit Free Press / January 21, 2025
