Currently, the Western Conference is dominated by the Thunder, who have a significant lead in win rate. The Houston Rockets have a record of 23 wins and 12 losses, ranking second in the West. Although the Rockets have a very good record and ranking, many fans are still skeptical about their chances, as they say, "The Rockets don't have top-tier stars, so it's difficult for them to win a championship in the playoffs." This is also true to some extent, as the Rockets have recently lost games in the final moments due to the young stars' inconsistent scoring ability in crucial situations. If Jalen Green could score 30+ points per game and consistently perform well in critical moments, the Rockets would be at a championship level. With a record of 23+16+3 and first in the league, the Rockets have indeed won big with their bet on a super talented two-way star.
Generally speaking, the distribution of playing rights among the young stars of the Rockets is as follows: Jalen Green has the most, followed by Shen Jing, then Jabari Smith, and finally Tari Eason and Amen Thompson. This season, Tari Eason and Amen Thompson have mostly been coming off the bench, where they have been very effective, often overwhelming their opponents. Both Tari Eason and Amen Thompson not only score efficiently and steadily but also possess excellent defensive capabilities. Their opponents' bench players simply cannot match up against them.
Many fans may wonder how Tari Eason and Amen Thompson would perform as starters. In an NBA regular-season game between the Rockets and the Lakers, due to Jabari Smith's injury absence, Amen Thompson stepped up to start, making 11 of 19 shots for an efficient 23 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal, helping the Rockets secure a victory. What is most surprising about Amen Thompson is not his 20+ points but his single-game total of 16 rebounds, which is quite terrifying. As a 2.01-meter swingman, his rebounding ability surpasses even Anthony Davis (who had 13 rebounds), which seems unreasonable.
Amen Thompson should be considered the best rebounder and defender among swingmen in the entire league. For ordinary guards, facing Amen Thompson is like a nightmare. According to official reports from ESPN, when Amen Thompson starts for the Rockets this season, he averages 18 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks, with a shooting percentage of 58.4% and a true shooting percentage of 61.8%, accumulating a plus-minus of +62. These statistics are outstanding, the efficiency is impressive, and the plus-minus value is remarkable.
Officially reported by NBA data experts, Amen Thompson has limited his opponents' shooting percentage to 37.1% this season, the lowest in the league. He is one of the best defenders in the current league and has a chance to be selected for the All-Defensive Team this season. NBA experts believe that the Rockets' management made the right bet; Amen Thompson is a super talented two-way star who possesses both offensive and defensive talents. Ordinary players seem too slow in front of him, and his defensive speed is astonishing.
The Rockets' management and coaching staff began focusing on cultivating Amen Thompson this season, a decision that has proven to be correct. Amen Thompson is the fastest-improving star on the team this season, rapidly enhancing his scoring, rebounding, and defensive abilities. With a shooting percentage of 55.8% this season, the highest on the team, if Jalen Green can maintain an average of 30+ points with a 50% shooting rate, then this Rockets team will truly be championship contenders. Let's hope Jalen Green can keep up his 30+ scoring streak!
