Rockets View Amen Thompson As 'A Basketball Player First' Over Specific Positional Role

[RealGM Wiretap]

Amen Thompson offers the Houston Rockets positional versatility, which could complicate certain lineup configurations while amplifying others. Houston's decision to select Reed Sheppard at No. 3 could allow the coaching staff to continue to allow Thompson to develop into a player that defies traditional roles.

Thompson played approximately ninety percent of his minutes as a rookie at either shooting guard or small forward with the rest being as a traditional point guard. Thompson could share ballhandling duties with Sheppard when on the floor together. 

"The consensus from the coaching staff is that Thompson is a basketball player first, rather than having him shoehorned into a hole," wrote Iko. "I think [Ime] Udoka will stick to that plan, especially given the presence of Reed Sheppard now. Think of Thompson as a ballhandling wing who can be either a primary or secondary creator."

In 62 games, Thompson averaged 9.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals. Thompson shot just 13.8 percent on three-pointers and 68.4 percent on free throws. 

Via Kelly Iko/The Athletic

[Skipwhethers]

And I view him as 'a bust first'.

[Rek]

No one should be getting into the league with that terrible shooting.

Doesn't matter what position you slot him. Those percentages are outright awful.

[Pickled Prunes]

No one should be getting into the league with that terrible shooting.

Doesn't matter what position you slot him. Those percentages are outright awful.

He shot .536 FG% which is above league average. His .576 TS% and .545 eFG% were about league average. His FT% was low, but not for a rookie and his 3PT% was abysmal, but he took less than one per game. I would expect that trend to continue, but he will improve.

Amongst rookies he was:
1st in SPG
2nd in Trp Dbl (1)
3rd in Dbl Dbl (13)
4th in REB
4th in FG% (among rookies with at least 100 FGA (446))
7th in AST

He needs to work on his shot, but he is not a bust.

[Rek]

No one should be getting into the league with that terrible shooting.

Doesn't matter what position you slot him. Those percentages are outright awful.

He shot .536 FG% which is above league average. His .576 TS% and .545 eFG% were about league average. His FT% was low, but not for a rookie and his 3PT% was abysmal, but he took less than one per game. I would expect that trend to continue, but he will improve.

Amongst rookies he was:
1st in SPG
2nd in Trp Dbl (1)
3rd in Dbl Dbl (13)
4th in REB
4th in FG% (among rookies with at least 100 FGA (446))
7th in AST

He needs to work on his shot, but he is not a bust.

I was responding to their mention:

Thompson shot just 13.8 percent on three-pointers and 68.4 percent on free throws

The free throws are within striking distance of being decent. But the 3s %...

If this was just someone dedicated to being a doberman, then it's not a huge deal. But, they're saying they want him as a primary ball handler at times otherwise either wing spot. Defenders going to give this guy the Russ treatment if he's not even hitting 15% from the perimeter.

[Lockdown504090]

good players can fit a role, great players can fit multiple. guys who dont make it, cant fit any of them.

[Pickled Prunes]

No one should be getting into the league with that terrible shooting.

Doesn't matter what position you slot him. Those percentages are outright awful.

He shot .536 FG% which is above league average. His .576 TS% and .545 eFG% were about league average. His FT% was low, but not for a rookie and his 3PT% was abysmal, but he took less than one per game. I would expect that trend to continue, but he will improve.

Amongst rookies he was:
1st in SPG
2nd in Trp Dbl (1)
3rd in Dbl Dbl (13)
4th in REB
4th in FG% (among rookies with at least 100 FGA (446))
7th in AST

He needs to work on his shot, but he is not a bust.

I was responding to their mention:

Thompson shot just 13.8 percent on three-pointers and 68.4 percent on free throws

The free throws are within striking distance of being decent. But the 3s %...

If this was just someone dedicated to being a doberman, then it's not a huge deal. But, they're saying they want him as a primary ball handler at times otherwise either wing spot. Defenders going to give this guy the Russ treatment if he's not even hitting 15% from the perimeter.

I get it, but Russ gets the Russ treatment now for two reasons: 1) He isn't fast enough to get around anyone anymore. 2) He has shown that he can be baited into the ill-advised 3pt. Russ would still be a positive player if he were willing to continue to run the offense when defenders sagged off of him. Amen has attempted 58 3pt's in his career. It doesn't look like he's taking the bait.

68% FT% is 1.4 points per possession. That is good enough to prevent intentional fouling and it will improve as he gets used to the NBA stage. He will probably never be a good 3pt shooter, but he might get decent enough to keep defenses honest. That said, the league is full of successful players that don't shoot, shouldn't shoot or should shoot less 3pts. Draymond, Ja, DeMar, Randle, Aaron Gordon, Giannis, Simmons before the meltdown, etc... That one stat will not determine his bust-level in the NBA.

[uconn83]

golfer name and a 400 metre runner in another life

[dubbmotta]

And I view him as 'a bust first'.

Yea you don't watch basketball...dude made an all-Rookie 2nd team, the best defensive rookie, led them in steals. His shooting was terrible AF but that's something that can be fixed. See Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Lonzo Ball improved 3PT over their career. Hater.

[haste10176]

And I view him as 'a bust first'.

Yea you don't watch basketball...dude made an all-Rookie 2nd team, the best defensive rookie, led them in steals. His shooting was terrible AF but that's something that can be fixed. See Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Lonzo Ball improved 3PT over their career. Hater.

Shooting can sometimes be improved but often is not.

[haste10176]

He shot .536 FG% which is above league average. His .576 TS% and .545 eFG% were about league average. His FT% was low, but not for a rookie and his 3PT% was abysmal, but he took less than one per game. I would expect that trend to continue, but he will improve.

Amongst rookies he was:
1st in SPG
2nd in Trp Dbl (1)
3rd in Dbl Dbl (13)
4th in REB
4th in FG% (among rookies with at least 100 FGA (446))
7th in AST

He needs to work on his shot, but he is not a bust.

I was responding to their mention:

Thompson shot just 13.8 percent on three-pointers and 68.4 percent on free throws

The free throws are within striking distance of being decent. But the 3s %...

If this was just someone dedicated to being a doberman, then it's not a huge deal. But, they're saying they want him as a primary ball handler at times otherwise either wing spot. Defenders going to give this guy the Russ treatment if he's not even hitting 15% from the perimeter.

I get it, but Russ gets the Russ treatment now for two reasons: 1) He isn't fast enough to get around anyone anymore. 2) He has shown that he can be baited into the ill-advised 3pt. Russ would still be a positive player if he were willing to continue to run the offense when defenders sagged off of him. Amen has attempted 58 3pt's in his career. It doesn't look like he's taking the bait.

68% FT% is 1.4 points per possession. That is good enough to prevent intentional fouling and it will improve as he gets used to the NBA stage. He will probably never be a good 3pt shooter, but he might get decent enough to keep defenses honest. That said, the league is full of successful players that don't shoot, shouldn't shoot or should shoot less 3pts. Draymond, Ja, DeMar, Randle, Aaron Gordon, Giannis, Simmons before the meltdown, etc... That one stat will not determine his bust-level in the NBA.

People forget Draymond used to be able to shoot ok till they added KD and then he never shot the ball and never got any touch back.. You wont win with Demar or Ja.. Aaron Gordon was for years the star at Orlando but he fit into a team where he was the one non shooter and a perfect scheme for him.. Giannis was lucky to get his title and other than injuries his terrible shooting is a reason he has never got back as for Simmons that was just a disappointment for someone who had so many things going for him and wouldnt practice shooting

[Pickled Prunes]

I was responding to their mention:

The free throws are within striking distance of being decent. But the 3s %...

If this was just someone dedicated to being a doberman, then it's not a huge deal. But, they're saying they want him as a primary ball handler at times otherwise either wing spot. Defenders going to give this guy the Russ treatment if he's not even hitting 15% from the perimeter.

I get it, but Russ gets the Russ treatment now for two reasons: 1) He isn't fast enough to get around anyone anymore. 2) He has shown that he can be baited into the ill-advised 3pt. Russ would still be a positive player if he were willing to continue to run the offense when defenders sagged off of him. Amen has attempted 58 3pt's in his career. It doesn't look like he's taking the bait.

68% FT% is 1.4 points per possession. That is good enough to prevent intentional fouling and it will improve as he gets used to the NBA stage. He will probably never be a good 3pt shooter, but he might get decent enough to keep defenses honest. That said, the league is full of successful players that don't shoot, shouldn't shoot or should shoot less 3pts. Draymond, Ja, DeMar, Randle, Aaron Gordon, Giannis, Simmons before the meltdown, etc... That one stat will not determine his bust-level in the NBA.

People forget Draymond used to be able to shoot ok till they added KD and then he never shot the ball and never got any touch back.. You wont win with Demar or Ja.. Aaron Gordon was for years the star at Orlando but he fit into a team where he was the one non shooter and a perfect scheme for him.. Giannis was lucky to get his title and other than injuries his terrible shooting is a reason he has never got back as for Simmons that was just a disappointment for someone who had so many things going for him and wouldnt practice shooting

Draymond's career averages: .452 FG%/.319 3PT%/.713FT%. He has shot over 34% from 3PT just twice, never in a championship season. Here are his championship season splits.
2015 - .443/.337/.660
2017 - .418/.308/.709
2018 - .454/.301/.775
2022 - .525/.296/.659

Situation has defined Draymond's success, not shooting. And team success has never hinged on his shooting either, although he has dropped a couple of big 3PT''s in his day.

I am not saying they will win because there can be only one winner per season, but a team could absolutely win with Ja, DeMar or Amen... but probably not if they insist on being high volume 3PT shooters. Like Draymond, it is more about situation. DeMar wasn't going to win in CHI but his game fits really well as a third option in SAC. Ja is surrounded by good shooters so they should be good if he can find his inner DeMar and shoot just enough to keep the defense honest MEM could have a shot as well. Size (other than off the court issues) is his biggest hurdle. If he loses a step he'll be in trouble. Very reminiscent of AI.

That said, my overarching point is that one stat, 3PT% in this case, does not determine if a player is a bust. Amen had a good first season despite his low 3PT% on low volume. He will probably never be a great shooter but he has enough other tools to allow for hope.