I was just browsing NBA’s wonderful data site, and noticed this:
A few notes about this:
- It’s only four games, so small sample size issues apply.
- Giving up < 30% at less than 6 feet is bananas for a wing, especially at that volume - there are only six other players in the NBA currently doing that on more than 2 shots defended per game. (In fact, only one other player is doing that on more than 4 shots per game. That player? >!Marvin Bagley!<.)
- The 3p% numbers aren’t great, so I went back and watched the 3pFGs he’s allowed. Dieng and Gordon hit corner threes with him closing out (Gordon’s was after he rotated from defending another player), Bertans and Holmgren both hit threes that looked like miscommunicated switches between him and Stewart, Jevon Carter hit one where Ausar lost sight of him in help defense and misjudged his closeout, Holmgren hit one in transition that he was screened on, SGA hit one in transition when Ausar gave him a bit too much space, and Lavine hit both a well-defended corner three and a stepback three that Ausar gave him too much padding on (after going over a screen and cutting off the drive). Most of those were too much spacing due to technical issues that can easily be cleaned up.
- 15 shots defended per game is pretty high for a wing, and that leads the team. Most players that have high volume like that are post players and players that are their team’s stopper; this is an indication that they view him as their top iso player (eye test: for good reason).
Here’s a look at who Ausar has spent more than 1 minute guarding:
That’s quite the collection of players, who have combined to shoot only 16/41 (39%) against him. That’s ridiculous, especially for a rookie wing.
And that’s not even mentioning blocks, steals and rebounds, all of which he’s excelling at as well. Ausar has defensive POY written all over him.
I’ll admit, I didn’t want anything to do with either of the Thompson twins because of their shooting concerns. I figured we have seen way too many guys come in who could be described as “if the jumper comes around they could be dangerous” and it never works out. I was wrong. This kid already seems dangerous even without the jumper.
Obviously he is gonna need the jumper to at least get to a point that defenders will respect him if he wants to be a top tier wing, but the kid has shown that at the very least he belongs.
I’m gonna keep saying it until it sticks: The Worm 2.0