This could be hope talking, but I don't think he'll drop to even an average defender because of his IQ, natural abilities, and the people he has around him. Sure, his offensive role may cause him to drop a little, but the thing about guys like Amen, is they know when to step it up and which side of the floor to step up. Personally I think he'll be more of the Leonard type of player that can handle both as long as Rockets do not try to make him more of a PG
There was an end of quarter full-sprint play WB made against Kobe many moons ago that came to my mind after watching Amen at the end of the 3rd quarter.
On the Amen as a point guard thing, I got curious: https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/amen-thompson-stats-without-fred-van-fleet-this-season 20 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists to 2.8 turnovers in 4 games this season. (36.4mpg.) Not exactly Magic Johnson on the playmaking front but it does look like there's some potential there, if he's already able to put up those numbers halfway into his second season. Small sample size warning, of course. With some more experience under his belt and some healthy improvement to his point guard skills, I could maybe see him becoming a 7-8 assist to 2.5 turnovers guy as a point guard in his prime, which is pretty "normal" for a star PG in today's NBA--it would put him in the company of guys like Morant, Lillard, Harden, Brunson.
I feel Amen is way too flexible a player to be pigeonholed into one particular role. I think regardless of how he develops, the Rockets should always have a PG on the team to play alongside him.
Hell no. I wouldn’t trade Jabari for Banchero. He would be a terrible fit onour team and is extremely overrated.
He is a a point whether it’s a guard or forward who cares. He is going to be the best player out of that draft.
He’s impressive in the same way Shawn Marion would be impressive in today’s game. Nothing more, nothing less. He’ll never be a superstar or franchise player.
I've been saying this for awhile now. He also reminds of Westbrook - a great player for your fantasy team, but lacking the gravity to warp a defense. If you have Amen out there with a traditional big like Sengun, you need quick trigger sharpshooters surrounding them. Your best hope is that Green, Bari, and Reed become those guys.
