Adou Thiero Understands Need To Minimize Reckless Dunk Attempts

The Los Angeles Lakers are expecting big things from second-year wing Adou Thiero this season. The 2025 second-round pick is one of the most athletic players in the entire league, and that undoubtedly stands out on film. He is a high-flying, high-energy wing defender who exemplifies a lot of what the Lakers need more of this season.

However, one issue that stems from his elite athleticism are his landings. Thiero can nearly make any play he wants at the rim — offensively or defensively — but often pays the price for too big a jump with an awkward landing. This happened many times at Summer League in Las Vegas, and again on Tuesday night in L.A.’s preseason loss to the Golden State Warriors. He spoke about the recurring issue and the need to correct it.

“It was awkward, but I’m fine coming out of it,” Thiero said after Tuesday’s loss on Spectrum SportsNet. “Definitely will be better about it. But there are some situations where it’s difficult to worry about the landing, but it’s definitely still something on my radar.”

Thiero finished Tuesday’s game with seven points, four rebounds, two turnovers and two fouls in 17 minutes of action. He is not someone that’s going to be playing 30 minutes every night, but his effectiveness will be determined by how he utilizes his athleticism.

If Thiero is wild and chaotic, leaping out of the building but committing fouls, not being able to finish at the rim and causing turnovers, he may quickly find himself on the outside looking in at the rotation. However, the path to consistent minutes is easy. Thiero went 3-for-6 from the field and 3-for-4 from inside the 3-point line.

The Lakers clearly wanted to skew the team younger and more athletic this offseason, and Thiero is going to play a major role in that.

JJ Redick expecting mistakes from Adou Thiero and other young players

Lakers head coach JJ Redick is realistic about what Thiero and rookie Cameron Carr will be able to do in what is effectively both of their first full-time seasons in the NBA. He spoke about their expectations heading into the season.

“I mean everybody is gonna make mistakes. It’s a matter of, does your role allow you to have egregious mistakes, that’s the NBA,” Redick responded when asked what kinds of mistakes he feels would be more acceptable for the young players. “I remember when I was a player, early in my career I’m getting eight minutes if I’m lucky and if I’m not the low man two straight possessions, I’m gonna get two minutes, that’s just how it works. Starters are different. Guys who play heavy minutes are different. That’s the nature of roles in the NBA.”