DETROIT – Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson spoke with ESPN analyst Malika Andrews about the team’s chemistry, its defensive identity, and a pair of national television games this week, including their matchup against a potential James Harden-less Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Pistons will host the Cavaliers on Friday (Feb. 27) inside Little Caesars Arena at 7 p.m., their third big-time game against some top-tier opponents, which saw them fall to the San Antonio Spurs earlier this week and take down the Oklahoma City Thunder to improve to 43-14, to sit atop as with the best record in the NBA.
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Friday’s game could be without Harden, who sustained a right thumb fracture on his non-shooting hand during Tuesday’s matchup against the New York Knicks.
Be that as it may, Thompson told Andrews he and his teammates were excited for the attention that comes with national TV.
“I know. I’m excited. You know, those are the funnest, most fun games,” said Thompson.
Thompson described the season as memorable and credited the team’s camaraderie for its success.
When asked what the ride has been like for him and his teammates, who are in first place in the Eastern Conference, Thompson said, “Oh, it’s been amazing. You know, just, you know, the camaraderie with the guys, you know, us going out wanting to fight for each other every night. It means everything. So, every chance I get to play with them, I’m excited.”
Andrews noted Detroit’s strong record and asked about team goals for the rest of the season.
When asked if the team talks about their goals that they have for the remainder of the season, Thompson said, “Yeah, talk about it all the time. You know, we want to take it all the way. We feel like we’re the best team in the world, and you know, finance has to show it every night.”
Defense has become a calling card for this Pistons team, and Thompson said he takes pride in that end of the floor.
With the history and legacy of the Detroit Bad Boys in the 1980s and the Going To Work team in the 2000s, defense has been the franchise’s calling card.
“Yeah, definitely. You know, I take pride in that end. J.B. Bickerstaff puts me in great positions to, you know, show my ability and, you know, I know my teammates have my back, so that helps me a lot,” Thompson said.
Andrews floated the idea of Thompson earning All‑Defensive honors, and he welcomed it.
“You know, I think that makes perfect sense, and I feel like that should happen. I’m excited to see it because I know it will happen,” Thompson said.
Thompson framed the upcoming ESPN matchup vs. Cleveland as a chance to show the league what Detroit is.
“I want to show the world we’re the best team in the league. You’re the best defense in the league, and you know, it’s going to be a fun game,” Thompson said.
Thompson and the Pistons will look to extend their overall league record in a nationally televised game against their Central Division foe, who are looking to make up ground in the conference on Friday night.