How’s that for a sophomore accolade? The NBA announced it’s Kia NBA All-Defensive First Team yesterday, and Houston Rockets swingman Amen Thompson made the cut.
The second-year player took a huge leap towards NBA stardom this past season, becoming one of the most versatile and shut-down defenders in the league at just age 22. He held opposing players to just 40.7 percent shooting as the primary defender this season. As you can see by the list, he joins Dyson Daniels, Luguentz Dotz, Draymond Green and Evan Mobley on the first team.
Thompson’s name has been tossed out there as a possible centerpiece of a Rockets deal for a star — namely for Giannis Antetokounmpo — but with this type of season under his belt, I think that’s safely off the table for Houston. Thompson is no longer a future star. He’s a star in the making right now.
He’s shown that by not only having a great defensive season, but he was great on the offensive end too. He finished the season with averages of 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game on 55.7 percent shooting from the field, illustrating his two-way capabilities. He also had 108 defensive rating and defensive box plus-minus of +2.6.
Thompson’s versatility on both the offensive and defensive ends has been something to behold, and he’s signed on his rookie deal with the Rockets though 2027, currently making him one of the best bargains in the league. And while you’re sure to hear opposing team’s beat writers and bloggers toss his name out there in any potential Rockets trade deal, that’s going to be more wishful thinking on their part than anything. I think it’s safe to say Amen is part of Houston’s core moving forward.
