Throughout his rookie season, Detroit Pistons rookie Ausar Thompson has shown he can impact a game in a variety of ways. However, there is one element of his game that still needs work.
Thompson is a versatile two-way forward who can fill up the box score on any given night. That said, his inability to space the floor limits his full impact. Following the Pistons' 110-100 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Thompson touched on developing his outside shot. He feels his confidence is growing with open looks, and understands it's something he has to do to help the team win.
"I've just been more confident. If I get it open, I have to shoot it. Obviously, I want to win every game, but it's a chance to get better," Thompson told reporters.
The rookie forward was impressive in the matchup with Cavs, doing a little bit of everything. In 36 minutes of action, Thompson finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, five steals, and two blocks. Most impressive, he knocked down two of his three attempts from beyond the arc.
On the year, Thompson is shooting just 18.8% from three-point range. He's taken 96 over his first 59 games, but converted just 18 of them. As the year has gone on, Thompson has slowly started to get more efficient. In the month of January, he shot just under 30% from deep.
Floor spacing has been an issue for the Pistons at time, and it seems Thompson is aware of that. That said, if can grow into even a league-average shooter, he could be one of the top two-way forwards in the NBA.
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