Adou Thiero is absolutely making some noise early in the preseason, showing serious growth by shooting 4-of-5 inside the arc through two games and dropping four assists in the win over the Sacramento Kings. This isn’t just a few lucky plays, either. Head coach JJ Redick has been watching Thiero all offseason and he’s seeing a massive jump in decision-making when Thiero brings his insane athleticism to the floor.
Coach Redick Sees Patience Pay Off
Look, we all know Thiero’s one of the most athletic dudes out there. But raw athleticism isn’t enough, right? You gotta weaponize it. Coach Redick made it clear after the Golden State Warriors game that Thiero is finally figuring that out. “Some of the improvement that I’ve talked about has been with patience and playing off two feet on a drive, let’s say,” Redick explained. “He’s done it a number of times. Last night, he made the right read and got assists.” That’s the key right there: playing off two feet when you’re in traffic. You’re still gonna be the best athlete in the paint most of the time, but now Thiero is making the smart plays instead of forcing it. Redick thinks he’s doing a “really good job” and calls it a “big improvement” from last year when Thiero’s game was all “reckless abandon and got caught in the air against multiple bodies.” It’s like, even if you’re the best athlete, there are other freaks out there with size and length. Thiero is finally learning to play smarter.
Reps and Health Are the Keys
So, what’s behind this leap? Coach Redick believes it’s all about Thiero staying healthy for a prolonged period. Last year was a nightmare with a bunch of injuries in 2025-26, and you can’t really refine your game when you’re constantly sidelined. Thiero totally agrees, saying that continuous “reps” are making all the difference. “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,” he said. It makes sense, right? You gotta get out there, understand the system, and then translate that practice work to game situations.
Thiero’s got another shot to rack up more in-game reps, sharpen his skills even more, and really make a case for rotation minutes this Thursday. They’re back at home against the Kings at 7:30 p.m. You just gotta love seeing a guy put it all together like this, proving he can be more than just an athlete. This could be big for him, making that push for a real spot in the rotation.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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