What do you expect from Amen Thompson this season?

picc · Post #1 » by **picc** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 12:09 am

World class defender and athlete already. He has very raw ballhandling and playmaking skills but the flashes of real potential are there as he grows in experience. And its positive that the team allowed him to use possessions getting valuable reps in. Also a weak 3pt shooter but that just takes time sometimes.

The GS defense made him look like a baby deer but their defensive schemes were spectacular and it was his first playoffs. And this'll be his third year, a year a lot of players historically take a leap in.

What do you expect him to show the most improvement in this season?

How will the replacement of Jalen Green with Kevin Durant affect his game?

Will his defense start to trail off as he inevitably takes more offensive responsibility?

One Last Shot · Post #2 » by **One Last Shot** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 12:21 am

Atleast DPOY runner-up in case Wemby didn't get hurt. A top 5 Rockets all-time when it's all said and done along with Hakeem, Harden and Moses Malone maybe Yao Ming.

Magic_Johnny12 · Post #3 » by **Magic_Johnny12** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 12:35 am

One Last Shot wrote:Atleast DPOY runner-up in case Wemby didn't get hurt. A top 5 Rockets all-time when it's all said and done along with Hakeem, Harden and Moses Malone maybe Yao Ming.

Bruh.

LarsV8 · Post #4 » by **LarsV8** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 12:41 am

This guy is going to be really damn good, especially if it's true he just lives basketball, and doesn't play around at all.

At minimum, a more physically gifted Shawn Marion. Has a path to top ten player in the league.

JimmyPlopper · Post #5 » by **JimmyPlopper** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 12:44 am

Magic_Johnny12 wrote:
One Last Shot wrote:Atleast DPOY runner-up in case Wemby didn't get hurt. A top 5 Rockets all-time when it's all said and done along with Hakeem, Harden and Moses Malone maybe Yao Ming.

Bruh.

I know it sounds crazy, but I agree with him. Although I would wonder if Calvin Murphy makes it over Yao. I'd place them at a similar level

chilluminati · Post #6 » by **chilluminati** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 12:46 am

An improvement on his shot/ft%, and another year of pure defensive dominance.

He was 5th in DPOY voting last year, and made the all defensive team. So I'd say if he can stay in that realm of defensive activity again this year, that'll be good enough. He doesn't need to be winning DPOY already, and he is still probably a year away from being an all star (especially now since he's on a KD roster), but he's just a jumper away from being a perennial star.

JRoy · Post #7 » by **JRoy** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 7:16 am

People talking about how great he would be if he could shoot.

balrog27 · Post #8 » by **balrog27** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 7:49 am

One Last Shot wrote:Atleast DPOY runner-up in case Wemby didn't get hurt. A top 5 Rockets all-time when it's all said and done along with Hakeem, Harden and Moses Malone maybe Yao Ming.

he just need a jump shot and a step back 3 and he would be better than harden.

Thaddy · Post #9 » by **Thaddy** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 8:04 am

I don't see his jumper ever being good. The mechanics are too bad. He comes from privilege and resources yet its always been bad. He is getting over rated.

pipfan · Post #10 » by **pipfan** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 8:43 am

Is he a good kid and hard worker? I don't know anything about him (and his brother) but I know they have a ton of physical gifts. I LOVE defense, so I will have to watch him more. I think Hou is set to be the 2nd best team this year, if healthy of course

Optms · Post #11 » by **Optms** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 11:15 am

Thaddy wrote:I don't see his jumper ever being good. The mechanics are too bad. He comes from privilege and resources yet its always been bad. He is getting over rated.

First statement is legit but what does coming from privilege and resources matter? Steph Curry was the definition of coming from privilege/resources and he's one of the GOATs.

Post #12 » by **tsherkin** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 11:27 am

All-D. Still held back by his shot. Excited to see what, if any, developments he has in his offensive game. Dude's quite good, but he has a clear ceiling at the moment unless he shows some specific types of improvement.

Sane · Post #13 » by **Sane** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 11:58 am

Top 3 two way player in the NBA. He'll be a young Kawhi with a lagging 3PT shot (even though he'll improve from last season).

NoStatsGuy · Post #14 » by **NoStatsGuy** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 12:11 pm

ill hold off with expectations for him. its his 3rd year and hes known for his defense already. Not saying hes overrated but the hype could be a bit too much. He will have tons of space next to KD. if he can hit an open three next year, i think its a sign that hes trending in the right direction.

btw it took kawhi 5 years to become kawhi.

UcanUwill · Post #15 » by **UcanUwill** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 12:28 pm

Optms wrote:
Thaddy wrote:I don't see his jumper ever being good. The mechanics are too bad. He comes from privilege and resources yet its always been bad. He is getting over rated.

First statement is legit but what does coming from privilege and resources matter? Steph Curry was the definition of coming from privilege/resources and he's one of the GOATs.

Well, that is his point, he must have had access to top training all his life (if I understand it correct, I am not familiar with Amens background), but still can't shoot at all. I am not saying that is great point, but that is it, Steph is greatest shooter ever, and the fact he was around NBA players all his life and had those recourses, definitely helped his shooting ability to develop.

Post #16 » by **magee** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 12:37 pm

The Jalen Williams trifecta: All-Star, All-NBA Defense and All-NBA.

FrodoBaggins · Post #17 » by **FrodoBaggins** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 1:32 pm

LarsV8 wrote:This guy is going to be really damn good, especially if it's true he just lives basketball, and doesn't play around at all.

At minimum, a more physically gifted Shawn Marion. Has a path to top ten player in the league.

More physically gifted? Athletically, perhaps, but Shawn clears Amen in wingspan and standing reach. Marion at 6'6" barefoot/6'7" in shoes has Kawhi/Maxiel kind of length.

mcfly1204 · Post #18 » by **mcfly1204** » Sat Sep 20, 2025 2:54 pm

FrodoBaggins wrote:
LarsV8 wrote:This guy is going to be really damn good, especially if it's true he just lives basketball, and doesn't play around at all.

At minimum, a more physically gifted Shawn Marion. Has a path to top ten player in the league.

More physically gifted? Athletically, perhaps, but Shawn clears Amen in wingspan and standing reach. Marion at 6'6" barefoot/6'7" in shoes has Kawhi/Maxiel kind of length.

I see him more in line with Iguodala, which I also see as his ceiling.

Kurtz · Post #19 » by **Kurtz** » Sun Sep 21, 2025 12:58 am

Sane wrote:Top 3 two way player in the NBA. He'll be a young Kawhi with a lagging 3PT shot (even though he'll improve from last season).

I'm very high on the kid, but he'd have to jump one of Wemby, Giannis, AD...and hold off Chet, Mobley, Williams, JJJ, etc. Tough ask for next season.

HotelVitale · Post #20 » by **HotelVitale** » Sun Sep 21, 2025 1:03 am

FrodoBaggins wrote:
LarsV8 wrote:This guy is going to be really damn good, especially if it's true he just lives basketball, and doesn't play around at all.

At minimum, a more physically gifted Shawn Marion. Has a path to top ten player in the league.

More physically gifted? Athletically, perhaps, but Shawn clears Amen in wingspan and standing reach. Marion at 6'6" barefoot/6'7" in shoes has Kawhi/Maxiel kind of length.

And one for this decade’s first Jason Maxiell reference!