Although Houston Rockets rookie Amen Thompson is starting at forward, he’s a point guard by trade and nature.
An instinctive passer with the ability to get to the rim at will with his ball handling and explosiveness, Thompson’s skillset was reminiscent of a player like Memphis Grizzlies pointman Ja Morant. However, listed at 6-foot-7, Thompson’s size lends itself to comparisons to jumbo playmakers like Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons or Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Ime Udoka Offers All-Star Comparisons for Amen Thompson
“[Thompson] in the roll, him in the pocket with his passing ability is an asset to have,” head coach Ime Udoka says, per the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen. “We’ve mentioned guys like Ben Simmons, guys like Giannis (Antetokounmpo) who have done similar things at times in their career. He can learn to implement those things.”
At 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds, Simmons is a true point guard. The 3-time All-Star’s first instinct is to pass; not to play hot potato but to get an easy basket. He’s also a high-level ball-handler, which meshes nicely with his court vision and passing ability. However, Simmons has seemingly played every position except shooting guard since being traded to the Nets.
Antetokounmpo has long operated as the primary playmaker for the Bucks, averaging 5.5 assists per game since the 2015-16 season. The eight-time All-Star and two-time MVP grew into his point-forward role while having hybrid guards running point. Him spraying the ball around when he’s on the way to the rim is now a defining trait of the Bucks offense.
Thompson has only averaged 2.8 assists per game since being promoted to the starting lineup. However, against the Utah Jazz on Saturday, he had six assists. With his rim pressure and on-ball gravity, he found his teammates for open looks at the rim and from beyond the arc.
This is the same strategy he’s used all season. Nonetheless, it’s being highlighted in the starting unit, particularly when he’s starting in place of Alperen Sengun. Sengun, out indefinitely, is averaging 5.0 assists per game this season.
Game-Changer Thompson
What makes Thompson’s recent play more sensational is that he’s been doing it while playing out of position. More to the point, he’s done so while sharing the ball with Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green.
“You’ve seen him improve just with the playing time alone, let alone the role we’re asking him to do,” Udoka says of Thompson.
“A guy that’s had the ball in his hands his whole career, you put him out there with Fred (VanVleet) and Jalen (Green) in the starting lineup now, you kind of have to divide those opportunities, the ball-handling duties. He does impact it in other ways.”
With 12 games remaining, the Rockets are now 35-35, 11th in the West. Attempting to reach the Play-In Tournament, they’re running out of time. The margin of error is lower with several rotation players out. However, Thompson’s ability to make game-changing plays improves the team’s play at both ends.
By the Numbers
The Rockets have an offensive rating of 113.7 for the season, 20th in the NBA. In the six games since Thompson was inserted into the starting lineup, that number has risen to 126.6, the second-highest in the NBA in that time.
Even their defense has been better. In the last six games, Houston has seen a -0.3-point decrease in their defensive rating (112.0). Opponents are scoring -0.5 fewer points per game (112.2). More athletic and capable of switching than before, the Rockets are flying around and wreaking havoc.
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