Amen Thompson's Emerging Role in Houston Rockets' Lineup
The Houston Rockets faced a significant setback before the season began when Fred VanVleet suffered a torn ACL during offseason workouts, an injury expected to sideline him for the entire season. Although VanVleet has hinted at a possible late-season return, all indications are that he will miss the remainder of this year and return next season.
This injury left the Rockets short-handed in the backcourt, especially following the trade of Jalen Green as part of the Kevin Durant deal earlier in the offseason. The remaining guards were Reed Sheppard, Aaron Holiday, and Amen Thompson, who had not played as a full-time point guard since his time in the OTE League a few years ago.
Thompson's Transition and Performance
Originally positioned as a point guard, Thompson shifted to a forward role due to VanVleet's presence on the roster. This strategic move yielded immediate benefits. Thompson excelled playing off the ball, often cutting and positioning himself in dunk opportunities, which allowed him to focus on aggressive, high-energy plays rather than orchestrating the offense.
The attention drawn by Alperen Sengun on offense also created advantages for Thompson, enabling him to maximize his impact. His performance peaked with a career-high in rebounds, and defensively, he became one of the NBA's top players.
"Thompson had a career-high in rebounds and became one of the best defensive players in the NBA, making the first-team All-NBA Defensive Team."
Summary
Amen Thompson’s switch to forward amid roster challenges has allowed him to thrive as a dynamic defender and rebounder, marking a pivotal year in his NBA career.