When the Houston Rockets drafted Amen Thompson fourth total in 2023, they acknowledged his distinctive athleticism, even after lacking out on high prospect Victor Wembanyama. Thompson didn’t waste any time exhibiting the Rockets precisely what kind of participant they’d drafted, as he demonstrated his potential to play above the rim and within the open court docket. In addition to his athleticism and protection, Thompson started to point out promising offensive expertise, comparable to improved passing and decision-making, which have been much less mentioned earlier than the draft.
As Thompson’s rookie season went alongside, the Rockets noticed how a lot Thompson thrived as a lockdown defender. As his minutes elevated and he grew to become extra accustomed to the NBA’s tempo, he grew to become one of many Rockets’ finest defenders.
Thompson’s recreation actually took off on the finish of his rookie season, following Alperen Sengun’s harm, because the Rockets moved Jabari Smith to heart and Thompson into the beginning lineup at energy ahead. Thompson continued his sturdy play into his second season, and after one other harm, this time to Smith, he moved again into the beginning lineup and hasn’t regarded again since.
Thompson made the All-Defensive first workforce in his second season and helped the Rockets to their finest win-loss file since 2020. As good as Thompson had been on protection and on the open ground, the one space the place he wanted essentially the most enchancment was his total offensive recreation and his consistency as a scorer. In his third season, Thompson has been one of many Rockets’ finest and most constant offensive gamers.
Thompson Has Been Consistent on the Offensive End All Season
Thompson had already proven his potential to play at an elite degree as a defender and a participant within the open court docket and on the dunker spot. His total offensive recreation was the one half that also wanted essentially the most enchancment. Thompson, at occasions, struggled along with his 3-point recreation and actually something exterior of the paint. The essential difficulty was his consistency as an offensive participant.
In his first two seasons, he improved his factors per recreation, going from 9.5 to 14.1. A pleasant enchancment, however the Rockets would want a lot extra in his third season, particularly after the harm to Fred VanVleet. VanVleet suffered a main harm earlier than the beginning of the Rockets’ 2025 coaching camp, and that meant the Rockets would want Thompson to tackle much more in his third season.
The Rockets have had an up-and-down season as they gear up for the ultimate 16 video games and are at present the fourth seed within the Western Conference. The Rockets are 41-25 and in a tight race for home-court benefit. The Rockets’ most constant participant all season has been Kevin Durant, who at age 37 remains to be top-of-the-line gamers within the NBA. Probably the second most constant participant this season has been Amen Thompson.
Thompson has not solely guarded the opposing workforce’s finest participant all through the season, however he has additionally elevated his total offensive manufacturing. With his 23 factors within the Rockets’ win over the New Orleans Pelicans, he now has scored 20 or extra factors 27 occasions this season after solely doing so 18 occasions in his first two seasons mixed.
Thompson is averaging a profession excessive in factors, assists, and free-throw taking pictures. Thompson has persistently been the one participant, together with Durant and typically Alperen Sengun, who can get their very own shot. Thompson nonetheless struggles from 3-point vary, as that a part of his recreation has truly taken a step again this season, however he’s coming off a two-game stretch with 3-point makes, his first since January 1st.
For the Rockets to go deep into the playoffs, they may want somebody aside from Kevin Durant to step up. So far this season, Thompson has proven that he could be extra than simply an elite defender he will also be an offensive menace.
