Through two preseason appearances, Adou Thiero has shot 4-of-5 inside the arc (0-of-3 from deep) and he dished out four assists in Monday’s win over the Sacramento Kings. During those games and throughout the offseason, head coach JJ Redick has seen Thiero display growth in his decision-making once he applies his immense athleticism to create advantages. Thiero will always be one of the most athletic players on the floor but weaponizing those gifts requires much more than simply unleashing them against
defenders.
“Some of the improvement that I’ve talked about has been with patience and playing off two feet on a drive, let’s say. He’s done it a number of times. Last night, he made the right read and got assists. But playing off two [feet] when you’re in traffic, you’re still going to be the best athlete nine times out of 10 in the paint. I think he’s doing a really good job,” Redick said after Tuesday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors. “That’s a big improvement from even the games he played in the rotation last year where they were just reckless abandon and got caught in the air against multiple bodies. Even if you are the best or one of the best athletes on the floor, there’s other great athletes on the floor and there’s other great size and length on the floor. So, I think he’s really starting to figure that out.”
As Redick’s previously made clear, he believes Thiero’s continued development stems from a prolonged period of health in which he can refine various parts of game after dealing with a slew of injuries in 2025-26. Thiero feels similarly and believes his decision-making benefits from sustained opportunities, whether they be in games or practice.
“I feel like it’s reps,” he said. “Just going out, starting off getting those reps in practice, already understanding the offense, how I can help the offense and then getting those reps in the game.”
Thiero’s next chance to accrue more in-game reps, further sharpen his skill-set and make a case for potential rotation minutes comes Thursday at home against the Kings at 7:30 p.m.
You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.
