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.
It's so refreshing to hear a top 5 pick, a superstar before entering the NBA say he just wants to guard the other teams best player and do things to contribute to winning. He's gonna be so good.
I think he just knows his limitations and strengths as a rookie who can contribute as a player on the floor. He understands that if he can STAY on the floor with his defense, he is going to get those much needed reps/minutes that some of his draft classmates may take for granted. Its sorta like how Ben Simmons was able to make an impact in his first 2 playing seasons despite his limitations. He had the playmaking on offense but he could also lock up ball handlers at the perimeter with his size and athleticism.
Victor doesn't really hang around the rim by design, thats why they got 2 big man out there for the spurs. For chet, i rarely even watch them to say why he don't got more rebounds
Not only does he have elite defensive potential but he is also a very good playmaker. I can't wait to watch his game mature with Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart.
ik this team is so young the potential is infinite. i just hope they continue to build chemistry this could be the best the pistons have been since the early 2000s
Stew is movable especially with his solid contract. Cade does well with rim running bigs which is why Duren and even Bagley does well with him. They can definitely use more shooters with all these willing passers they have.
I freaking love players like him! The all around player! - Elite and versatile defender - Elite rebounder for his position - Incredible at stealing the ball and blocking shots - Is a capable playmaker - Hustles, plays smart, and works hard Now imagine if he developed a respectable shot. Wow
@@shonawine90 the difference is Ausar loves the game of basketball. Ben was more concerned in being a celebrity. His work ethic was in question while he was still at LSU
He reminds me of Andrei "AK47" Kirilenko, my favorite player growing up in th 2000s, bc of his all around game, and defense first mind set. He was the only SF/Wing to average 3 blocks per game, and did it two seasons in a row! He also got over 1.5 steals per game in those seasons, which puts him in elite company (in 03-04, he was the only player in NBA history to finish top 4 in both blocks and steals). Not to mention the 3 5 by 5's in his career, 2nd only to Hakeem the Dream! Idk if Ausar can reach that level of all around game/defensive prowess as a SF/Wing, but he has a pretty darn good chance!
At a time when offense is heavily favored at the expanse of defense, it is refreshing to see a player utilizing his talent in such a way. Love your videos!
it also makes us realise that offense is still hard. and we just took all these guys for granted thinking anyone can shoot a 3. this freak athelte shooting air balls is proof that you do still need skill to play in the nba. instead of apreciating the offensive talent older nba fans just focused on shitting on the defensive side. and its sad. im glad players like simmons exist. showcasing why just being a good defender is overrated by older fans.
@@elliotdeltoro3319 You guys realize the 3 point shot being "overemphasized" is why offenses are so good now right? And why it seems defense is worse today than before. It's almost impossible to guard a team with the amount of space that "overemphasizing" 3's gives you.
Ausar looks more and more like a young Dennis Rodman on the pistons of the mid to late 80s .. 6’6 , elite athlete , hustle player , great defender , plus rebounder
I can't even explain how impressive this kid is. It's about time people used their athleticism on D, I really hope he can become a modern day Kirilenko.
Haha you read my mind! He reminds me of Andrei "AK47" Kirilenko, my favorite player growing up in th 2000s, bc of his all around game, and defense first mind set. He was the only SF/Wing to average 3 blocks per game, and did it two seasons in a row! He also got over 1.5 steals per game in those seasons, which puts him in elite company (in 03-04, he was the only player in NBA history to finish top 4 in both blocks and steals). Not to mention the 3 5 by 5's in his career, 2nd only to Hakeem the Dream! Idk if Ausar can reach that level of all around game/defensive prowess as a SF/Wing, but he has a pretty darn good chance!
I love this guy. You can tell by the athletes this channel spotlight YOU REALLY see the actual game. Both the twins are elite, yet their readiness and stoic eagerness to take the league by storm most don't trust yet. It’s like pure instinct coupled seasoned discipline.
As the father if ID twin boys I have enjoyed watching these young men grow and enter the league. Draymonds Greens comment about them was spot on: "gonna be hard for us old guys to make defensive team with these young guys" 😅
Him being on a list with centers who recorded 40 rebounds and 10 blocks their rookie year is crazy, and all of those centers winning mvp is even crazier.
what stood out to me is his savant level of intuitive knowledge of transfering his center of gravity. Prime MVP D-rose explosive cuts and feints were so violent/jagged everyone knew that playstyle was not sustainable long term. Ausar explosion is similar, but the conservation of energy is MUCH smoother. He rotates his hips swings off his backfoot and turns into full sprints in .1 second.
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.
He has serious running form. His mechanics are like a track athlete and he's basically only at half throttle while he terrorizes people off the ball at breakneck speeds. I gotta wonder how fast he could really go.
Same here! He reminds me of Andrei "AK47" Kirilenko, my favorite player growing up in th 2000s, bc of his all around game, and defense first mind set. He was the only SF/Wing to average 3 blocks per game, and did it two seasons in a row! He also got over 1.5 steals per game in those seasons, which puts him in elite company (in 03-04, he was the only player in NBA history to finish top 4 in both blocks and steals). Not to mention the 3 5 by 5's in his career, 2nd only to Hakeem the Dream! Idk if Ausar can reach that level of all around game/defensive prowess as a SF/Wing, but he has a pretty darn good chance!
Tayshaun had a better shot than the kid. Granted the rookie is gonna develop and learn but maybe he should talk to Prince, Rip and Joe Dumars on how to improve his jumper. This kid is gonna be DPOY at some point provided he doesn't get seriously injured.
@@miguelladinodevera614 absolutely Good Form I just don’t feel like he’s strong enough yet he shoots a lot of airballs yea he’s physically strong but the NBA Grind different even Kobe said it. He Gotta better Feel for the Game than Prince
I thought I was the only one that was amazed by Ausar defensive play. Honestly his help defense and lock down defense reminds me of Mikes first couple of years. Their defensive style is similar.
Hopefully he and his brother Amen can become like “super-soldier” versions of Rondo, obviously the passing isn’t near rondos but the rebounding, elite defense, and passing ability these boys have shown, im really excited for what’s in store for these kids
He genuinely has the explosiveness of a WR/CB in football. Being the size he is and his wingspan, it’s a problem already for wings and guards. Can’t wait to see what the future holds!
Holy crap. He looks like young MJ on defense: unreal cat like quickness. I hope he develops a midrange game and works on his offensive footwork. He has easy DPOY potential.
He's deceptively fast. It's like he tricks the attacker into thinking they've got him beat, meaning they commit to the drive or shot, then Ausar reveals his extra burst and just denies whatever the attacker tries. Reminds me of Sun Tzu lol, all warfare is based on deception.
Its not about deception. He legit has great lateral movement. It is the tool players need to be great perimeter defenders. Its just further exacerbated because he also has crazy athleticism and length to constantly recover blow-bys are a rookie. But he's already pretty solid fighting screens so he'll always stay attached to the hip of the guy he's defending.
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
Pistons: We got a rookie who got much potential and can contribute to the team with his finishing, defense and playmaking skills, hes a future superstar Monty: No problem i will give him 8minutes a game
I think he’s the best rookie perimeter defender since Iman Shumpert. I remember watching Shump on defense as a rookie with Knicks and it was a sight to behold. If not for injuries, he would have won a DPOY those first few seasons
There is a WHOLE NEW ERA of basketball to be unlocked - defensive specialists specifically trained to exceed on that end. Just imagine how many people out there have the athletic and gymnast potential to defend like this guy.
Dennis Rodman + Scottie Pippen + MJ type of versatile defenders who r also 2-way killers. Dennis outrebounded 7ft centers and fellow 4s. Pip would scrap for boards whenever he was pissed and wanted a triple-double. Mike would get his own rebound any time of the night. Imagine this rookie having that same dog as those 3 especially Dennis on defense and rebounding. If this kid becomes like Mike on offense? No way he won't become a future MVP. Like Giannis did by winning both DPOY & MVP. Just have all these new guys becoming 2-way threats and the league will change for the better.
not sure what you're on about, defensive specialists have always been useful and if you think people can defend like Ausar through physical ability alone you're dead wrong
Best case scenario for Ausar, is that he become Kawhi/Jimmy Butler-esque. I have high hopes for him, because he cares about playing defense, and that goes a long way. I’m not even a Pistons fan, but I’m praying that the Pistons will show him the patience to develop his offense, just like Pop did with Kawhi.
Eehhh those two are muscular and play wit pace and patience to get to they spots Ausar plays fast looking for a pass or a layup he got a long ways to go til he becomes a consistent bucket getter especially wit dat jumpshot
Offensively he's far raw than Kawhi or Jimmy when they were in their rookie seasons. Hell Kawhi had a working jumper when he was a sophomore at SDSU. Hell even Mikal Bridges who developed early as a 3&D player had a jumper. Come back in 2 years to see how much of a leap his jumper can get.
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.
“There has never been a great passer who wasn’t also an intelligent player” I mean I agree but I don’t think great passing shows that you are overall a smart player. But you are at least smart at a specific part of basketball. Because I also think there has never been a great defender that wasn’t an intelligent player. But there has been lots of great passers that we’re not great defenders. And a lot of great defenders that were not great passers. I think it’s the ones that show they both great passers and defenders that truly are the basketball geniuses. Like if you think about the nba players that are specifically known for there basketball IQ the most common 4 names you will see brought up is Lebron, CP3, Draymond, and Jason Kidd. And i think a big part of that is all 4 of them are both great passers AND great defenders. So if Ausur really is a good passer like you said that is a great sign because we already know how good of a defender he is.
Ausar is the main reason I love watching the pistons because I am also a hybrid defender wing but I’m trying to be like a combination of Ausar and Rodman . watching him play makes me more capable of being a defender like him
Great video. This kid is going to be a fixture on All-Defensive teams for years to come. As a Pistons fan disappointed at dropping to 5th in the lottery, it's fair to say we're no longer disappointed.
Kid should talk to Joe Dumars, Dennis, Rip, Tayshaun, and the Wallace Boys if he has any questions about defense. Imagine if the young rook decided to play out his entire career in Detroit.
I think that Ausar will pretty certainly become one of the 5 best defenders in the league at his peak but I think the most interesting thing about this game in the upcoming seasons is what will his offensive game become. I could see him becoming a lethal slasher due to his athleticism or a great court general from the sparks of passing I have seen, if Detroit can develop those skills. Personally I think it will be substantially harder for his shot to come around because right now it looks very bad but if it does he has a chance at being an all-star and maybe even all-NBA caliber player.
If his handles develops I think he can turn himself into a cutter/straight line rim finisher who can draw FTs. That will definitely open up his playmaking further especially if the Pistons get more shooters around them. If he gets gets stronger (which I think he can be) the Pistons can also run hand off screens with him too with his cutting and his ability to be a connective passer.
@@t4d0W I can definitely see that. His handle has been a little rough at times so far but I think he can work on it. I think ideally they should work to make him an elite slasher to start because he has a lot of the skills to do that and then hope his shot will come around.
Great breakdown! Keep it up. As a Spurs fan before the NBA lottery and draft this past summer, believing there wasn't much hope of snatching the #1 pick, Ausar was my next best option after Victor. I believe Detroit got a steal with this dude because he can do it all (shot forthcoming) and he's already an elite defender as a rookie. His attitude seems rock solid, too, which the Pistons need during their return to contention.
Watching him and his brother over in Pinecrest was just insane. I don't know if it was him or his brother but they were so athletic one of them hit there forehead on backboard while dunking the ball. Insane to see where there at now.
thank you for this great video. Ausar is special with unique skillset. His greatest strength being his intelligence/awareness offensively & defensively. His offensive game will develop as well. It will be great seeing him grow & get better.
Hey Ben, I've been subscribed since your content while the bubble was going. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the bright spots in Miami such as Bam's continued growth🙏🏽. Love your content man and it feels surreal seeing how you went from a smaller, but distinguished hoop analysis channel to a legitimate partner of the league, keep up the great work man🫶🏽
@@Authorman2they where also visibly stronger and bigger the game was more physical thus having better bigs this era of bigs is thin outside of embid and joker we are in the golden era of guard play
@@Pineapples-Mango_Smoothiethey were bigger but I doubt stronger and not really taller … at that time people just a trouble figuring out 3 is more than 2 so most players were around the paint and defenders looked way better than they actually were because they didn’t have to defend as much space with help being nearby anyway
The funny thing is Amen Thompson is supposed to be even more athletic. But he's been injured, and he's on a better team that's actually winning games. So he's had less opportunity to shine.
I really enjoy the finds like this. Players and teams not covered by ESPN in addition to those that are is so nice to see. This channel is about quality not trends and will stand the test of time.
Ben Wallace was always my favorite Piston growing up just with the amount of effort he’d play with every night. Ausar is already my favorite current Piston after a few games this kid is special
Thank you for making this video! I took my entire family to watch Ausar and Amen play for the Florida High School State Championship, and even back then, they looked like professional athletes among teenagers.
I think a lot of it comes down to how knowledgeable he is about the NBA. He knows basically every player and what they are strong at and what they are weak at. Now he is just getting reps to how those players attack and what moves they do. He is gonna be very scary and has a bright future
Maybe he'll get more minutes later in the season. Right now that Rockets lineup and roles are solidified with young talents along with the vets. With the Pistons they don't have a lot of potential high ceiling guys to play and Ausar locked up his role as defensive anchor.
What??? Amen has cost the Rockets wins when he was healthy. Now with him off the court, the Rockets are on a winning streak. We are in a win now mode, no need to sacrifice wins trying to develop one player. Send him to G league with Cam once he recovers.they both can get plenty of minutes there without costing us wins.
I am enjoying the season because you make me enjoy! - I have not have time to follow as deeply as I used to but I feel like as long as I watch your videos I know of the most exciting things to look out for. Thanks once again!
I said this the minute I watched some highlights of the twins, at worst they should both be top tier defenders. In the case of Ausar he scores without having plays run through him which I love. It’s tip-ins and hustle stuff that can win a games at times.
To think that the season is only a few weeks in and the highlights are plentiful shows this kids talent! Holy hell he's gonna be fun to watch moving forward! Lets hope he keeps the same drive throughout his career for defense that he has now. Should be fun!
from these clips alone, i can see how artistic he is on the defensive end. we know guys who are artists and wizards on offense like Kobe, Tmac, Kyrie, etc. While this is high praise for a rookie, i feel like Ausar is like them but on defense. I say this cause I observed how efficient he moves. There's no wasted movement on his efforts especially on the weakside help. It's beautiful to watch
Give it 3 years and make him even faster and more skilled and this kid is going to be a 2 way athletic monster with a high basketball IQ. That little curl into an open lane was beautiful and low-key genius.
Summary: Thompson's early NBA stint is nothing short of phenomenal. He's etched his name as only the fifth player in NBA history to rack up 40 rebounds and 10 blocks in his first four games. That's a feat usually reserved for MVP level centers Standing 6'6" with a 7-foot wingspan, Thompson’s got the physical toolkit of a defensive dynamo - speed, agility, and a vertical that's off the charts. This combo makes him a defensive chameleon, capable of adapting and thriving in various matchups. Thompson shines with his rapid reaction time and bursts of speed, making him a nightmare for opponents on the perimeter. His lateral quickness is especially noteworthy, as he effortlessly keeps up with players on drives and recovers in a flash if he's ever outmaneuvered. His game-reading ability and vertical prowess make him a dual threat - intercepting passes and swatting shots left and right. On offense, while his shooting is still a work in progress, Thompson makes up for it with smart cuts, effective rebounding, and on-point passing. Speaking of rebounding, he's already ranked 5th in the league in offensive rebound rate - an achievement for a wing player. Thompson's athleticism is on full display as he consistently out-jumps opponents and showcases explosive speed. Thompson's already making waves with his defensive showdowns against NBA elites like SGA, Durant, and Lillard. He’s not just participating; he’s altering the course of these matchups with his defensive prowess. He could be the first non-big rookie to make the all-defensive rookie team (last rookie in genera since Duncan). I go over topics like this (NBA videos/articles in my daily NBA newsletter if you wanna see more! hoopd.beehiiv.com/p/draymonds-ejected-backcourt-superstars-ausars-historic-chase
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.
We might already have the floor spacers we need! Ivey's 3 point percentage isn't bad, and Beef Stew and Bogdanovic can also shoot it. Hopefully Cade can improve his efficiency
@@fqwgads Nah he's talking about actual shooters who can move and put pressure on defenses. Even on the level of Kevin Huerter who can run off screens, shoot off balance and do some play making in that process. Bogy is sorta that but he's old. Stew nor Ivey aren't those type of guys either.
Thanks for this, I will now need to catch some Pistons games! Long arms, fast, quick and has huge bball IQ. He seems pretty grounded which is 1/2 the battle for these young guys fresh to the league.
As a long suffering Piston fan, I'm so happy to see this young stud thriving. Hope he stays healthy and continues to gel well with Cade. Cade, please stay healthy to mate.
I like this kid, At his size, with potential as a lead ballhandler capable of defending multiple positions, Ausar has All-Star upside, and a relatively high floor as a two-way player who can turn his defense into easy offense, and generate baskets at the rim even if he never develops as a leading scorer his defensive ability will play a huge part for the Pistons going forward.
He reminds me of Andrei "AK47" Kirilenko, my favorite player growing up in th 2000s, bc of his all around game, and defense first mind set. He was the only SF/Wing to average 3 blocks per game, and did it two seasons in a row! He also got over 1.5 steals per game in those seasons, which puts him in elite company (in 03-04, he was the only player in NBA history to finish top 4 in both blocks and steals). Not to mention the 3 5 by 5's in his career, 2nd only to Hakeem the Dream! Idk if Ausar can reach that level of all around game/defensive prowess as a SF/Wing, but he has a pretty darn good chance! Btw, an analysis video like this of AK47s defensive abilities alone would be really long haha!
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.
Everyones a critic lol. Changing the script is seductive into errors though. Awesome video btw!
Dikembe GOAT defender proves your video regardless
You need to cover Rockets in your next video. People don't show enough respect.
Literally was gonna say that. You had me thinking I was crazy for a minute.
Ikr
Wemby, Chet, and Ausar all being top of the league defenders in their first season is insane
As a Pistons fan I’m proud of Ausar hope he keeps it up. Dude earns every minute of playing time he gets
@@ruchpat1we all know that Pistons will destroy his carrier, trade already needed 😂
@@123shotassame thing about Curry in 2012
His instincts to know when to jump is amazing. Like he can diagnose a pump fake vs an actual shot at an elite level.
@@123shotas why? the pistons are a good franchise historically.. not like theyre the T-wolves or clippers.
It's so refreshing to hear a top 5 pick, a superstar before entering the NBA say he just wants to guard the other teams best player and do things to contribute to winning. He's gonna be so good.
I agree. It's a very EU mindset, super atypical in US basketball.
I think he just knows his limitations and strengths as a rookie who can contribute as a player on the floor. He understands that if he can STAY on the floor with his defense, he is going to get those much needed reps/minutes that some of his draft classmates may take for granted. Its sorta like how Ben Simmons was able to make an impact in his first 2 playing seasons despite his limitations. He had the playmaking on offense but he could also lock up ball handlers at the perimeter with his size and athleticism.
@@t4d0W That's true. But even Ben got to play with the ball alot
@@lolh4xthey don’t play defense in eu
The kid is old-school. I fuckin love itttttt!
It’s just crazy how Ausar & Wemby could potentially make the All Defensive Team in their ROOKIE SEASON!!!🤯
Chet As Well
chet disrespect continuing
Chet might get the all defensive team nod over wemby
Thats a stretch
I’m not saying he’s better, but so far Chet has been at least as good as wemby on defense
The funniest part about Ausar is that he leads all rookies in Rebounds this season. Meaning he is outrebounding 7'4 Wemby and 7'1 Chet lol
Heart > Height
Rodman-esque.@@Baddknewz
@@Baddknewz on boards, definitely yes. The amount of boards i've been able to get back when i played while being smaller at 6'3 is too damn high
its been 9 games relax
Victor doesn't really hang around the rim by design, thats why they got 2 big man out there for the spurs. For chet, i rarely even watch them to say why he don't got more rebounds
Not only does he have elite defensive potential but he is also a very good playmaker. I can't wait to watch his game mature with Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart.
ik this team is so young the potential is infinite. i just hope they continue to build chemistry this could be the best the pistons have been since the early 2000s
Damn so its stew over ivey now? 😮
@@anubis4032Lmaoo ehh they're both interchangeable. Duren, Thompson, and Cade should be untouchable
Take stew out of there 😂
Stew is movable especially with his solid contract. Cade does well with rim running bigs which is why Duren and even Bagley does well with him. They can definitely use more shooters with all these willing passers they have.
I freaking love players like him! The all around player!
- Elite and versatile defender
- Elite rebounder for his position
- Incredible at stealing the ball and blocking shots
- Is a capable playmaker
- Hustles, plays smart, and works hard
Now imagine if he developed a respectable shot. Wow
Just hope he doesn't turn into Ben Simmons kid has potential
@@shonawine90 the difference is Ausar loves the game of basketball. Ben was more concerned in being a celebrity. His work ethic was in question while he was still at LSU
The next Kawhi Leonard
@@BlazerWaves yes prime kawhi without injuries
How I played the game😢
I love great defensive players. It takes so much skill, anticipation and savvy to pull it off at this level
He reminds me of Andrei "AK47" Kirilenko, my favorite player growing up in th 2000s, bc of his all around game, and defense first mind set. He was the only SF/Wing to average 3 blocks per game, and did it two seasons in a row! He also got over 1.5 steals per game in those seasons, which puts him in elite company (in 03-04, he was the only player in NBA history to finish top 4 in both blocks and steals). Not to mention the 3 5 by 5's in his career, 2nd only to Hakeem the Dream! Idk if Ausar can reach that level of all around game/defensive prowess as a SF/Wing, but he has a pretty darn good chance!
Bill Russell
AK and Russell were ridiculous on defense
And it takes heart and dedication.
Ausar channeling some Kawhi.
At a time when offense is heavily favored at the expanse of defense, it is refreshing to see a player utilizing his talent in such a way. Love your videos!
Agreed. At a time when the 3 point shot is so overemphasized, to see a rookie use his gifts on D is just such a refreshing throwback.
Blame Adam Silver
it also makes us realise that offense is still hard. and we just took all these guys for granted thinking anyone can shoot a 3. this freak athelte shooting air balls is proof that you do still need skill to play in the nba. instead of apreciating the offensive talent older nba fans just focused on shitting on the defensive side. and its sad. im glad players like simmons exist. showcasing why just being a good defender is overrated by older fans.
@@elliotdeltoro3319 You guys realize the 3 point shot being "overemphasized" is why offenses are so good now right? And why it seems defense is worse today than before. It's almost impossible to guard a team with the amount of space that "overemphasizing" 3's gives you.
@@johnmarkson1990100%
Ausar looks more and more like a young Dennis Rodman on the pistons of the mid to late 80s .. 6’6 , elite athlete , hustle player , great defender , plus rebounder
I can't wait to watch the rest of the season. These rookies are special
I can't even explain how impressive this kid is. It's about time people used their athleticism on D, I really hope he can become a modern day Kirilenko.
Haha you read my mind! He reminds me of Andrei "AK47" Kirilenko, my favorite player growing up in th 2000s, bc of his all around game, and defense first mind set. He was the only SF/Wing to average 3 blocks per game, and did it two seasons in a row! He also got over 1.5 steals per game in those seasons, which puts him in elite company (in 03-04, he was the only player in NBA history to finish top 4 in both blocks and steals). Not to mention the 3 5 by 5's in his career, 2nd only to Hakeem the Dream! Idk if Ausar can reach that level of all around game/defensive prowess as a SF/Wing, but he has a pretty darn good chance!
Bro kirelenko really
@@bryant475 I think about him blocking Kobe's fadeaway at least once a week. Absolute monster.
@@appletopop8449 Yes the goat Kirilenko
I love this guy. You can tell by the athletes this channel spotlight YOU REALLY see the actual game. Both the twins are elite, yet their readiness and stoic eagerness to take the league by storm most don't trust yet. It’s like pure instinct coupled seasoned discipline.
He is one of the best on UA-cam. Period.
stoic eagerness is the perfect phrase to describe their disposition
@@freelildame1736 From One Stoic to Another.
It's way too early to say but I feel this years rookie class is one of the best ever
That really depends on scoot everyone else has showed up but him
@@anubis4032I don't think he'll be there good
@@anubis4032 scoot can be darko
@@JMatthewJohnsonsmh, miller looks to be better than ausar if he gets his dribble/defense down
As the father if ID twin boys I have enjoyed watching these young men grow and enter the league. Draymonds Greens comment about them was spot on: "gonna be hard for us old guys to make defensive team with these young guys" 😅
That shai move at 8:04 is so crisp and Ausar is still all over him. Holy crap why cant these insane defenders ever shoot like 37 % from three 😢
His name is Lonzo Ball. Before he got injured he was playing lockdown defense plus 40% from 3. Shame he got injured
@@YungPhilosopher took him a few seasons to get there. Let's see how Ausar progressess
Caruso is career 37%
No, it didn’t?
Lonzo came into the league as an elite perimeter defender n playmaker
He’s just not outrageously athletic
Ausar a kid he can at least hit 34% which is league average
Him being on a list with centers who recorded 40 rebounds and 10 blocks their rookie year is crazy, and all of those centers winning mvp is even crazier.
Just a minor correction: Dikembe Mutombo was never MVP.
He was defensive mvp
No such thing
what stood out to me is his savant level of intuitive knowledge of transfering his center of gravity.
Prime MVP D-rose explosive cuts and feints were so violent/jagged everyone knew that playstyle was not sustainable long term.
Ausar explosion is similar, but the conservation of energy is MUCH smoother. He rotates his hips swings off his backfoot and turns into full sprints in .1 second.
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.
He has serious running form. His mechanics are like a track athlete and he's basically only at half throttle while he terrorizes people off the ball at breakneck speeds. I gotta wonder how fast he could really go.
That bounce pass he did near the end was A+
Love defenders man, this guy has a new fan💯
Same here! He reminds me of Andrei "AK47" Kirilenko, my favorite player growing up in th 2000s, bc of his all around game, and defense first mind set. He was the only SF/Wing to average 3 blocks per game, and did it two seasons in a row! He also got over 1.5 steals per game in those seasons, which puts him in elite company (in 03-04, he was the only player in NBA history to finish top 4 in both blocks and steals). Not to mention the 3 5 by 5's in his career, 2nd only to Hakeem the Dream! Idk if Ausar can reach that level of all around game/defensive prowess as a SF/Wing, but he has a pretty darn good chance!
Lifelong Piston fan. Asuar fits the Pistons Culture works for every minute. Reminds me of Tayshaun Prince a big Reason We won a title in 2004
Pistons have a good looking young team.
Tayshaun had a better shot than the kid. Granted the rookie is gonna develop and learn but maybe he should talk to Prince, Rip and Joe Dumars on how to improve his jumper. This kid is gonna be DPOY at some point provided he doesn't get seriously injured.
@@miguelladinodevera614 absolutely Good Form I just don’t feel like he’s strong enough yet he shoots a lot of airballs yea he’s physically strong but the NBA Grind different even Kobe said it. He Gotta better Feel for the Game than Prince
This draft class is going to be legendary watch. Alot of generational talent. Dude lockin up premier players in his 1st season that’s unheard of
I love this player archetype! He is the evolution of Thybulle and Herb, and it's so much fun to watch on defense.
He's Andre Iguodala reincarnated. But somehow even more athletic.
As a thunder/shai fan watching that pistons game his defense on shai and giddey single-handedly made him my favourite rookie😭🙏
so real
I thought I was the only one that was amazed by Ausar defensive play. Honestly his help defense and lock down defense reminds me of Mikes first couple of years. Their defensive style is similar.
Hopefully he and his brother Amen can become like “super-soldier” versions of Rondo, obviously the passing isn’t near rondos but the rebounding, elite defense, and passing ability these boys have shown, im really excited for what’s in store for these kids
When was rondo an elite defender?
@@nykareem2001 2010-2012 or whenever he made the all defensive teams can’t remember atm
Love this channel for putting me onto all the crazy talent in the league
Edit: Also the block at 4:12 was absolutely filthy
He genuinely has the explosiveness of a WR/CB in football. Being the size he is and his wingspan, it’s a problem already for wings and guards. Can’t wait to see what the future holds!
Holy crap. He looks like young MJ on defense: unreal cat like quickness. I hope he develops a midrange game and works on his offensive footwork. He has easy DPOY potential.
The MJ defensive comparison is spot on from an eye test perspective for sure
He's deceptively fast. It's like he tricks the attacker into thinking they've got him beat, meaning they commit to the drive or shot, then Ausar reveals his extra burst and just denies whatever the attacker tries. Reminds me of Sun Tzu lol, all warfare is based on deception.
Its not about deception. He legit has great lateral movement. It is the tool players need to be great perimeter defenders. Its just further exacerbated because he also has crazy athleticism and length to constantly recover blow-bys are a rookie. But he's already pretty solid fighting screens so he'll always stay attached to the hip of the guy he's defending.
Ausars so good, as a rockets fan I can’t wait for Amen to get back aswell. The Thompson twins are awesome.
He be swatting shots like a Big 😳
Amen isn't as good of a defender but I hope that when he gets back his defense is elite too
@@makima2883they’re both very athletic thats half the battle i think amen just needs some more confidence cause he guards 94 feet
@@makima2883 yep amen is still a great defender he gets multiple steals and blocks in games as well, he’s just a pg
Yeah agreed@@makima2883
Bro really uses every single ounce of his insane athleticism to use..def going to be a perennial All Defensive guy if healthy
Ausar is special!!!! Can't wait to see more of him. Pistons really got a gem in their hands.
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
Thinking basketball puts new players on my radar about 10 months before anyone else. Thanks for the insiders look on an exciting new talent!
Bro, I’m thinking the exact same thing, it’s kinda crazy. This channel is like some stock market guru or something, but in basketball 😂
Pistons: We got a rookie who got much potential and can contribute to the team with his finishing, defense and playmaking skills, hes a future superstar
Monty: No problem i will give him 8minutes a game
I think he’s the best rookie perimeter defender since Iman Shumpert. I remember watching Shump on defense as a rookie with Knicks and it was a sight to behold. If not for injuries, he would have won a DPOY those first few seasons
Bilal Coulibaly in DC is an insane defensive rookie as well
Avery Bradley was better he was a demon on D specially On Ball Defense
He was not gon be a dpoy. Come on now
@@jameslearing970 but he had DPOY potential
@@jameslearing970crazy shump was locking niggas up. If he doesn’t get hurt, he’d be an all star and first team all defense
There is a WHOLE NEW ERA of basketball to be unlocked - defensive specialists specifically trained to exceed on that end.
Just imagine how many people out there have the athletic and gymnast potential to defend like this guy.
Dennis Rodman + Scottie Pippen + MJ type of versatile defenders who r also 2-way killers. Dennis outrebounded 7ft centers and fellow 4s. Pip would scrap for boards whenever he was pissed and wanted a triple-double. Mike would get his own rebound any time of the night. Imagine this rookie having that same dog as those 3 especially Dennis on defense and rebounding. If this kid becomes like Mike on offense? No way he won't become a future MVP. Like Giannis did by winning both DPOY & MVP. Just have all these new guys becoming 2-way threats and the league will change for the better.
alot sooner than later when the nba expands were gonna see alot more talented players
not sure what you're on about, defensive specialists have always been useful and if you think people can defend like Ausar through physical ability alone you're dead wrong
Best case scenario for Ausar, is that he become Kawhi/Jimmy Butler-esque. I have high hopes for him, because he cares about playing defense, and that goes a long way. I’m not even a Pistons fan, but I’m praying that the Pistons will show him the patience to develop his offense, just like Pop did with Kawhi.
Eehhh those two are muscular and play wit pace and patience to get to they spots Ausar plays fast looking for a pass or a layup he got a long ways to go til he becomes a consistent bucket getter especially wit dat jumpshot
Pippin
Offensively he's far raw than Kawhi or Jimmy when they were in their rookie seasons. Hell Kawhi had a working jumper when he was a sophomore at SDSU. Hell even Mikal Bridges who developed early as a 3&D player had a jumper. Come back in 2 years to see how much of a leap his jumper can get.
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.
“There has never been a great passer who wasn’t also an intelligent player”
I mean I agree but I don’t think great passing shows that you are overall a smart player. But you are at least smart at a specific part of basketball.
Because I also think there has never been a great defender that wasn’t an intelligent player. But there has been lots of great passers that we’re not great defenders. And a lot of great defenders that were not great passers.
I think it’s the ones that show they both great passers and defenders that truly are the basketball geniuses. Like if you think about the nba players that are specifically known for there basketball IQ the most common 4 names you will see brought up is Lebron, CP3, Draymond, and Jason Kidd. And i think a big part of that is all 4 of them are both great passers AND great defenders.
So if Ausur really is a good passer like you said that is a great sign because we already know how good of a defender he is.
Westbrook springs to mind as a great, low IQ passer
Ausar is the main reason I love watching the pistons because I am also a hybrid defender wing but I’m trying to be like a combination of Ausar and Rodman . watching him play makes me more capable of being a defender like him
Great video. This kid is going to be a fixture on All-Defensive teams for years to come. As a Pistons fan disappointed at dropping to 5th in the lottery, it's fair to say we're no longer disappointed.
Well he has the potential to join the Pistons vanguards of great overall defenders/rebounders. Rodman, Ben Wallace and potentially Ausar himself.
Kid should talk to Joe Dumars, Dennis, Rip, Tayshaun, and the Wallace Boys if he has any questions about defense. Imagine if the young rook decided to play out his entire career in Detroit.
Pistons have some serious young talent 💪
I've been so impressed by his play and his defensive enthusiasm, its very refreshing!
I think that Ausar will pretty certainly become one of the 5 best defenders in the league at his peak but I think the most interesting thing about this game in the upcoming seasons is what will his offensive game become. I could see him becoming a lethal slasher due to his athleticism or a great court general from the sparks of passing I have seen, if Detroit can develop those skills. Personally I think it will be substantially harder for his shot to come around because right now it looks very bad but if it does he has a chance at being an all-star and maybe even all-NBA caliber player.
If his handles develops I think he can turn himself into a cutter/straight line rim finisher who can draw FTs. That will definitely open up his playmaking further especially if the Pistons get more shooters around them. If he gets gets stronger (which I think he can be) the Pistons can also run hand off screens with him too with his cutting and his ability to be a connective passer.
@@t4d0W I can definitely see that. His handle has been a little rough at times so far but I think he can work on it. I think ideally they should work to make him an elite slasher to start because he has a lot of the skills to do that and then hope his shot will come around.
Great breakdown! Keep it up. As a Spurs fan before the NBA lottery and draft this past summer, believing there wasn't much hope of snatching the #1 pick, Ausar was my next best option after Victor. I believe Detroit got a steal with this dude because he can do it all (shot forthcoming) and he's already an elite defender as a rookie. His attitude seems rock solid, too, which the Pistons need during their return to contention.
Watching him and his brother over in Pinecrest was just insane. I don't know if it was him or his brother but they were so athletic one of them hit there forehead on backboard while dunking the ball. Insane to see where there at now.
Great story 🤯
thank you for this great video.
Ausar is special with unique skillset.
His greatest strength being his intelligence/awareness offensively & defensively.
His offensive game will develop as well.
It will be great seeing him grow & get better.
Hey Ben, I've been subscribed since your content while the bubble was going. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the bright spots in Miami such as Bam's continued growth🙏🏽. Love your content man and it feels surreal seeing how you went from a smaller, but distinguished hoop analysis channel to a legitimate partner of the league, keep up the great work man🫶🏽
YESSIR!!!!!! My favorite basketball channel talking about my TEAM!! Gotta love it
I see Ausar as a Kawhi mold, hopefully not with injuries, he has the potential to be a two way beast in the NBA
I love watching this channel.. MUCH LOVE YALL
This is the defense people say that every 90s and 80s defender had.
And those oldies needed constant handchecking and clogged lanes to provide that kinda defense, Ausar is just that quick.
Nah. Hall never had an athletic wing with this kind of length smh
@@Authorman2they where also visibly stronger and bigger the game was more physical thus having better bigs this era of bigs is thin outside of embid and joker we are in the golden era of guard play
And it's factually not true.
@@Pineapples-Mango_Smoothiethey were bigger but I doubt stronger and not really taller … at that time people just a trouble figuring out 3 is more than 2 so most players were around the paint and defenders looked way better than they actually were because they didn’t have to defend as much space with help being nearby anyway
Noticing that quiet concentrated personality a lot in these videos. This guy looks FOCUSED all the damn time.
The funny thing is Amen Thompson is supposed to be even more athletic. But he's been injured, and he's on a better team that's actually winning games. So he's had less opportunity to shine.
I really enjoy the finds like this. Players and teams not covered by ESPN in addition to those that are is so nice to see. This channel is about quality not trends and will stand the test of time.
Dikembe mutombo is the most underated mvp ever😂!
I think (hope) he's trying to see who's actually paying attention. 😆
Another underrated superstar in the makin
Love see players like him, old school ball mentally
I wish a career without injuries
Ausar "The Tsar" Thompson (needs to be his nickname) is someone I think will be a valuable player on a championship team in the future.
Either that or All-Star Thompson
His name is practically a reference of the Egyptian god 'Osiris'. Its not flashy but I think it sticks out as being King of Defense.
@@t4d0W That's pretty sick too.
Ausar "Rodman" Thompson or #flight 9
I'm here for more Ausar videos please! He is definitely flying under the radar 🛸 Ausar is killing Fantasy bball. Loved this video great work.
finally something i can watch while eating
Ben Wallace was always my favorite Piston growing up just with the amount of effort he’d play with every night. Ausar is already my favorite current Piston after a few games this kid is special
He's just a tad faster than everybody else not just his actual physical speed, but also his reaction speed
Thank you for making this video! I took my entire family to watch Ausar and Amen play for the Florida High School State Championship, and even back then, they looked like professional athletes among teenagers.
Can't believe he contained Josh Giddey's signature move: the dribble straight around the defender with no moves or hesi's
I think a lot of it comes down to how knowledgeable he is about the NBA. He knows basically every player and what they are strong at and what they are weak at. Now he is just getting reps to how those players attack and what moves they do. He is gonna be very scary and has a bright future
Ausar giving prime Andrei Kirilenko vibes
This is awesome. I hope a lot of these rookies have the heart when it comes to defense.
Man, I just pray that his shot improves. If it does, we are likely talking about one of the best two-way players ever.
Thank you for giving him his credit he’s a blessing to watch
Seeing Ausar, it’s sad that Amen is not getting enough minutes to shine
He was getting plenty of minutes before he got hurt. Not starting but he was the first man off the bench.
@@trumpetking11 This isn't true. Amen's been averaging under 17 minutes a game.
Maybe he'll get more minutes later in the season. Right now that Rockets lineup and roles are solidified with young talents along with the vets. With the Pistons they don't have a lot of potential high ceiling guys to play and Ausar locked up his role as defensive anchor.
What??? Amen has cost the Rockets wins when he was healthy. Now with him off the court, the Rockets are on a winning streak. We are in a win now mode, no need to sacrifice wins trying to develop one player. Send him to G league with Cam once he recovers.they both can get plenty of minutes there without costing us wins.
@@jonathanlgilland that was TOO MANY
Ben is the legend!
im beaming. love when you make videos about pistons!
Love this channel for showcasing young talent across the league that casual fans may not know if they only follow the stars or their team
I am enjoying the season because you make me enjoy! - I have not have time to follow as deeply as I used to but I feel like as long as I watch your videos I know of the most exciting things to look out for. Thanks once again!
I said this the minute I watched some highlights of the twins, at worst they should both be top tier defenders. In the case of Ausar he scores without having plays run through him which I love. It’s tip-ins and hustle stuff that can win a games at times.
Ausar already got the TB treatment! I'll be watching this kid!
I love your videos, especially when you talk about my guys from the Pistons! Appreciate your work :D
I love watching good defense, this is the most entertaining basketball video I’ve seen in a while.
Thank you for the Pistons Love! Much appreciated!
To think that the season is only a few weeks in and the highlights are plentiful shows this kids talent! Holy hell he's gonna be fun to watch moving forward! Lets hope he keeps the same drive throughout his career for defense that he has now. Should be fun!
from these clips alone, i can see how artistic he is on the defensive end. we know guys who are artists and wizards on offense like Kobe, Tmac, Kyrie, etc.
While this is high praise for a rookie, i feel like Ausar is like them but on defense. I say this cause I observed how efficient he moves. There's no wasted movement on his efforts especially on the weakside help. It's beautiful to watch
The Thompson brothers are like a machine gun, he he. They're damn good.
He reminds me so much of Dennis Rodman the way he can rebound and switch defensively
Give it 3 years and make him even faster and more skilled and this kid is going to be a 2 way athletic monster with a high basketball IQ. That little curl into an open lane was beautiful and low-key genius.
Thompson twins, Victor, Chet, Scottie Barnes, Herb Jones, Evan Mobley. DEFENSIVE ERA INCOMING.
Great analysis!
Summary:
Thompson's early NBA stint is nothing short of phenomenal. He's etched his name as only the fifth player in NBA history to rack up 40 rebounds and 10 blocks in his first four games. That's a feat usually reserved for MVP level centers
Standing 6'6" with a 7-foot wingspan, Thompson’s got the physical toolkit of a defensive dynamo - speed, agility, and a vertical that's off the charts. This combo makes him a defensive chameleon, capable of adapting and thriving in various matchups.
Thompson shines with his rapid reaction time and bursts of speed, making him a nightmare for opponents on the perimeter. His lateral quickness is especially noteworthy, as he effortlessly keeps up with players on drives and recovers in a flash if he's ever outmaneuvered.
His game-reading ability and vertical prowess make him a dual threat - intercepting passes and swatting shots left and right. On offense, while his shooting is still a work in progress, Thompson makes up for it with smart cuts, effective rebounding, and on-point passing.
Speaking of rebounding, he's already ranked 5th in the league in offensive rebound rate - an achievement for a wing player. Thompson's athleticism is on full display as he consistently out-jumps opponents and showcases explosive speed.
Thompson's already making waves with his defensive showdowns against NBA elites like SGA, Durant, and Lillard. He’s not just participating; he’s altering the course of these matchups with his defensive prowess.
He could be the first non-big rookie to make the all-defensive rookie team (last rookie in genera since Duncan). I go over topics like this (NBA videos/articles in my daily NBA newsletter if you wanna see more!
hoopd.beehiiv.com/p/draymonds-ejected-backcourt-superstars-ausars-historic-chase
It’s so satisfying watching his defensive highlights, like damn
I love when you highlight and unknown defender. Its so much more fascinating to me
This rookie class is special. Wemby, Ausar, Amen, Jordan Hawkins, Chet, Ben Simmons.
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.
We might already have the floor spacers we need! Ivey's 3 point percentage isn't bad, and Beef Stew and Bogdanovic can also shoot it. Hopefully Cade can improve his efficiency
@@fqwgads Nah he's talking about actual shooters who can move and put pressure on defenses. Even on the level of Kevin Huerter who can run off screens, shoot off balance and do some play making in that process. Bogy is sorta that but he's old. Stew nor Ivey aren't those type of guys either.
Thanks for this, I will now need to catch some Pistons games! Long arms, fast, quick and has huge bball IQ. He seems pretty grounded which is 1/2 the battle for these young guys fresh to the league.
As a long suffering Piston fan, I'm so happy to see this young stud thriving. Hope he stays healthy and continues to gel well with Cade. Cade, please stay healthy to mate.
My first watch. Great work!
I like this kid, At his size, with potential as a lead ballhandler capable of defending multiple positions, Ausar has All-Star upside, and a relatively high floor as a two-way player who can turn his defense into easy offense, and generate baskets at the rim even if he never develops as a leading scorer his defensive ability will play a huge part for the Pistons going forward.
thanks for putting this guy on my radar bro
He reminds me of Andrei "AK47" Kirilenko, my favorite player growing up in th 2000s, bc of his all around game, and defense first mind set. He was the only SF/Wing to average 3 blocks per game, and did it two seasons in a row! He also got over 1.5 steals per game in those seasons, which puts him in elite company (in 03-04, he was the only player in NBA history to finish top 4 in both blocks and steals). Not to mention the 3 5 by 5's in his career, 2nd only to Hakeem the Dream! Idk if Ausar can reach that level of all around game/defensive prowess as a SF/Wing, but he has a pretty darn good chance! Btw, an analysis video like this of AK47s defensive abilities alone would be really long haha!