As a rookie, Thompson would often chafe at his head coach’s blistering critiques. “Sometimes he’ll look at you like he is crazy mad,” says Thompson. Lately, he’s learned to understand if not appreciate the feedback. “I hold him to a high standard because of the things he can do,” says Udoka, now in his second year in Houston. “I don’t want any bad habits. We know how good he can be.”
Source: Sports Illustrated
Source: Sports Illustrated
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Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
For the sake of convenience, this week’s stories on three of the potential young difference makers in what’s shaping up to be a fantastic NBA playoffs:
Evan Mobley: si.com/nba/evan-moble…
Jalen Williams: si.com/nba/jalen-will…
Amen Thompson: si.com/nba/amen-thomp… – 2:53 PM
For the sake of convenience, this week’s stories on three of the potential young difference makers in what’s shaping up to be a fantastic NBA playoffs:
Evan Mobley: si.com/nba/evan-moble…
Jalen Williams: si.com/nba/jalen-will…
Amen Thompson: si.com/nba/amen-thomp… – 2:53 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
NEW: Amen Thompson reminds Ime Udoka of another star: Kyrie Irving. Says Udoka, “When I coached Kyrie, you’d be wowed at something he did offensively every night. It’s the same thing w/Amen on the defensive end.” On the rise of a budding star in Houston si.com/nba/amen-thomp… – 12:35 PM
NEW: Amen Thompson reminds Ime Udoka of another star: Kyrie Irving. Says Udoka, “When I coached Kyrie, you’d be wowed at something he did offensively every night. It’s the same thing w/Amen on the defensive end.” On the rise of a budding star in Houston si.com/nba/amen-thomp… – 12:35 PM
More on this storyline
Developing Thompson, says Udoka, involved making him uncomfortable. Coming up, Thompson—who spent two seasons playing for Overtime Elite, the prep-to-pro program for teenagers looking to bypass college—played on the ball. It’s something the Rockets liked about him, a skill Stone says separated him from Ausar. As a rookie, Thompson played more off the ball. Udoka used him as a screener and as a roller. He plugged him in at power forward, forcing Thompson to learn how to defend bigs. “He didn’t know how to do a lot of these things,” says Udoka. “But he needed to become more well-rounded. And he’s a quick learner.” -via Sports Illustrated / April 18, 2025
Adam Wexler: #Rockets injury/status report vs Lakers tonight: OUT: Dillon Brooks (rest) Tari Eason (left leg injury management) Alperen Sengun (personal reasons) Jabari Smith Jr. (groin) Jae’Sean Tate (ankle) Amen Thompson (rest) Fred VanVleet (ankle) -via Twitter @AdamJWexler / April 11, 2025