Ausar Thompson’s sport meshes along with his function. He’s the Pistons’ prime perimeter defender, one in every of their finest playmakers in transition and an excellent rebounder for his dimension. The crew 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 instances I could 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 scenario 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 effectively.” -via Detroit Free Press / January 21, 2025
