Ausar vs Amen

[GreekAlex]

As I watch the Rockets play the Mavericks, I can’t help but notice how much more fluid Amen looks than Ausar.

They’re equally athletic but I didn’t think there was as big of a disparity in other areas.

If I recall correctly, Amen came into the draft as the better ball handler and Ausar had a more developed shot.

Is Ausar hampered by the time he missed or is it something else?

Hopefully Ausar can close the gap and improve the jump shot.

I definitely enjoyed Ausar initiating the offense yesterday more than I expected.

[coordinator0]

No, that tracks. Both Thompsons were looked at as elite athletes coming into the draft but Amen still had an edge in that regard. That's probably what you're seeing in the better fluidity from the latter.

I do think Ausar would be quite a bit further ahead than he is now without the bloodclot issues. That's a pretty big chunk of time to miss - the end of your rookie year, the offseason, and a good portion to start the season. Important chunk of time as well. It's really, really good that he seems to keep on getting better and better as he's playing more though. Sometimes missing time like that so early into a career derails their development.

[MotownMadness]

Same player different roles

[joedumars1]

Ausar amen!

[Canadafan]

He's bigger than Amen too is he not? Looks bigger.
I find he looks bigger than Holland too but according to their stats Holland is bigger

[chrbal]

Amen got a jump start by joining a stable franchise with a head coach who cares. Ausar had to wait a season to get that

[LaSheed]

I think it's very obvious Amen is the better player.

Situations were way different coming into the league but in my opinion its Amen and not really all that close right now.

[GreekAlex]

I think it's very obvious Amen is the better player.

Situations were way different coming into the league but in my opinion its Amen and not really all that close right now.

Hopefully Ausar’s competitiveness kicks in and helps bridge the gap.

Maybe when they train together in the offseason, Amen can share the secret sauce with Ausar.

[smann7]

I think that was the thought when they were coming out. Both were hyper athletic, Amen was listed as a pg. He was more fluid, better handles and better distributor. Ausar was less fluid but a better defender with better defensive instincts. Neither could shoot.

They both can be all star level players if the shot comes around.

[MrBigShot]

Amen is probably the single most valuable asset the rockets have. His floor game is much, much better than Ausar.

Interestingly, their per 36 stats are almost identical at about ~15/9/3

[Mr Peanut]

I think Amen ultimately tops out with a higher ceiling than Ausar although I don't think it's entirely fair to compare them right now due to all the time that Ausar has missed that would have affected his development. Would love to see how he looks next season after a full off-season of improving his conditioning and working on aspects of his game.

[ComboGuardCity]

I think the only difference is personality. Amen seems like the more assertive of the two which led him to be the primary ball handler growing up. JB clearly sees Ausar’s initiation potential because he’s been starting the option more and more as the season goes on. Ultimately I think they’ll end up being very similar great players.

[keepitrealhomes]

He's bigger than Amen too is he not? Looks bigger.
I find he looks bigger than Holland too but according to their stats Holland is bigger

I mean, Ausar is definitely the strongest of the 3. Dude looks like he hit the weight room pretty hard.

[keepitrealhomes]

Amen is probably the single most valuable asset the rockets have. His floor game is much, much better than Ausar.

Interestingly, their per 36 stats are almost identical at about ~15/9/3

I don’t know that it’s THAT much better more than amen’s just been given more of an opportunity to showcase his abilities in the halfcourt.

[whitehops]

Amen is probably the single most valuable asset the rockets have. His floor game is much, much better than Ausar.

Interestingly, their per 36 stats are almost identical at about ~15/9/3

I don’t know that it’s THAT much better more than amen’s just been given more of an opportunity to showcase his abilities in the halfcourt.

no, even going back to overtime elite amen has always been the PG and had the ball handling and fluidity. ausar won the MVPs but those were weaknesses of his and you can still see he has a pretty limited handle and finishes poorly around the rim unless it's a wide open dunk. his weaknesses today are the ones he showed pre-draft.

amen's on-ball ability is the main reason he was drafted before ausar, it translates a lot better to the nba.

[the_l_train]

Anyone else think Ausar looked more fluid as the lead ball handler vs Philly? He seemed more comfortable and assertive in that role than what I expected....just seems like slightly different player the last 2 games.

We have been playing him as more of a 3/4, but he looks more natural as a 2.

He seems more confident and has been almost automatic in the dunker spot.

[GreekAlex]

Anyone else think Ausar looked more fluid as the lead ball handler vs Philly? He seemed more comfortable and assertive in that role than what I expected....just seems like slightly different player the last 2 games.

We have been playing him as more of a 3/4, but he looks more natural as a 2.

He seems more confident and has been almost automatic in the dunker spot.

He’s definitely looking better. I’m not sure if it’s the new role or a comfort level but I’m optimistic.

[BadMofoPimp]

Both are playing great. Amen with the triple double tonight.

[Mr Peanut]

I was actually surprised to see their per 36 stats are eerily similar. When Ausar gets off his minutes restriction maybe he'll start to get the love Amen has been getting this season.

[Moses ShamMoses]

I think they'll both be excellent players. Amen has a head start on development and skill (ball handling mostly), but nobody really knows which one will have the better overall career. Too many factors. I remember the Morris twins used to flip flop who was regarded as the better player. Markieff early on and Marcus later.