Looked like they were checking on his ankle. He came up lame on his last layup attempt off the give and go from Jalen.
When Amen was drafted, I was thinking that this guy has to be special in every other way possible to overcome the huge shooting negative. And he’s actually exceeded that. The speed at which he’s actually learning and putting what he’s learning into action is pretty amazing. I honestly think he’s gonna turn out to be our best prospect.
I'm going to piggy back my own post here.. I was thinking about this further. If Alp did make it back and Amen stayed a starter, this bench unit would be pretty solid IF Cam was able to get back. Holiday Cam DB Uncle J Jock Know I'm dreaming postseason here but I'm LOVING this run! Bring on the Bulls. Make it 7!!!
He's been unstoppable on the glass. I remember early on in the draft process I got clowned for saying he would be a perfect fit next to Sengun in an Aaron Gordon type role. He's proving that he doesn't need a jumper to be insanely effective. He is not Ben Simmons in any way, shape, or form.
What I love about Amen's game is the simplicity of it. There's so much room for growth because he's already so effective while just doing the basic things due to his length, IQ, and all-quadrants athleticism. If he can get more advanced with his ballhandling and finishing, become even a little bit of an outside threat as shooter, get even better at seeing the court and passing... there are so many things he can level up and just keep getting better, but he's already an impact player even without those improvements.
I'm still shaking my head a bit at those who were calling Amen a bust. Don't remember how many. Maybe just a relative few. But aren't'chall happier now? And the congregation said, "Amen."
Amen and Sengun can only function well together in the starting lineup if one of them develop a 3 point shot. Amen can't do what he's currently doing if Sengun's on the court due to spacing issues. He's currently allowed to play essentially the old Capella role because he has Jabari spacing the floor as a stretch 5. In the end, this team's issue is still shooting. The young guys need to flat out shoot better if the team is to take the next step.
I agree with this in generalized terms - but I do not agree with this necessarily for every player. Amen Thompson is shooting 16% from 3 this season, I do not know what he will shoot next year, even with a lot of work. He would need to double his efficiency to really have his three point shot be better than his midrange, where he already shoots in the high 30's% from the floor. Thompson is an unusual case. 90% of the time I agree with your position, but not necessarily with Amen. He may grow into this - he combines a strong base, with a 7'0" wingspan, excellent body control inside, a non stop motor and an extreme level of athleticism. If he turns out like Shawn Marion, that is a good outcome - he reminds me athletically of Larry Nance, which is similar to Marion in someways. I can tell you right now Thompson and the Rockets believe he is a lead guard long term. That can change though obviously. What I think is apparent is that Thompson is a long term NBA player - and he will either be a high level role player or a very good starter. Right now he could focus 100% on defense, rebounding and finishing and he would be a double-double and could likely lead the league in rebounds.
The drive and finish he had early in the game - only maybe 3-5 players in the league could execute like that.... he was going at elite speed, the body control, he moved sideways without slowing down, and then the ability to finish as explosively as he did. He really really has a lot of physical ability.
Gonna have to disagree on this. They're both smart players. Amen see's the lanes. Alp will catch him just like he did KJM. They both need to shoot it better no doubt, but in the meantime they'll be fine. Not like DB is a great shooter. Have you seen Amen's FG %?
Sengun is closer to developing a respected 3 ball than Thompson, if Apli develops his it will give a lot of latitude to Thompson. NBA defenses will adjust to backdoor plays if it's your only source of offense in the half court. As currently stands, it will be very difficult to play those 2 together with any regularity. Its very hard in 2024 to have a good offense with 2 non shooters on the floor together regularly. The backup C likely won't be a shooter either if they keep Adams.
