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So I’m guessing y'all are not ready to talk about Amen Thompson.

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Pastor George, Nov 20, 2025 at 2:38 AM.

  1. Pastor George

    Pastor George Member

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    Going strong since last season when I thought the decision to make Amen a starter weakened our bench rotation. It’s not really ideal though we found success with Amen in the starting unit, it was in a very specific role last season. Now as we have gotten into the start of the season I think the Rockets are making further strides against his progression and fans have WAY too high of an expectation of his potential. See I believe Amen thrives off the ball and specializes well with his cutting and defensive effort. I was screaming all offseason not to force him into the PG position. When we lost Fred, I was hopeful that him being thrust into the role would force a mutually beneficial outcome but honestly what the hell does Amen Thompson bring to the Rockets as a PG? He does initiate paint touches to create, he does attack open lanes enough. When he does it’s getting to a point where he’s over exerting and missing at the rim. Bringing the ball over half court doesn’t make you a PG, passing the ball to KD doesn’t make you a PG. In fact this transition has seemingly taken away from the things he dominated in last season. I personally care more about Amen on ball defense and defensive distribution. We have offense and creators and if he won’t use his athleticism to dominate at the rim or even attempt more often then it’s time we regress to a role we know he’s going to contribute more in.

    -PG
     
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  2. VoR

    VoR Member

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    The reality is that we aren't really playing with a PG. This makes it difficult to defend us as a team. Our success has been because FVV is out, tbh.
     
  3. roslolian

    roslolian Member

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    You realize Mitchell had 12 pts prior to the 4rth quarter right?

    Amen had 12/9/6/4 and the 3rd highest plus minus and you really asking what he brings? lol
     
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  4. Buck Turgidson

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    God Bless America, Mr Pastor.

    No, I am not ready to talk about Amen Thompson.

    Why would I be?
     
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  5. Jontro

    Jontro Member

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    it is not yet time...

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Os Trigonum

    Os Trigonum Okogie Only Fan
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    I heard you from here
     
  7. backwardhead

    backwardhead Member

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    I don’t disagree with really anything you’ve said, but I don’t think it’s as big a thing as you’re making it right now. What I saw last night in the Cleveland game was about as close to ‘positionless basketball’ as I remember seeing. I’ve also believed that to ask him to take the role of primary handler is to reduce him and take away from what has made him last years national storyline for the Rockets. But it’s early and Reed is still getting up to speed. So Senhub will lead right now and by the end of the season I fully expect us to see Amen 2.0. Devastating athleticism with handles, a more confident shot, and a better intuition for breaking defenses. That’s my hope anyway.
     
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  8. cml750

    cml750 Member

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    It is time to start Reed at PG and move Amen back to what he does best which is reeking havoc on both ends of the court. He is much better off-ball where he can be the Tasmanian Devil he was last year.
     
  9. Hank McDowell

    Hank McDowell Member

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    He’s not a PG. He’s a guy who can play some point, but he’s not a PG. I’m not at all worried about him, but I do think he would be better in his old role.
     
  10. Plowman

    Plowman Member

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    We're gonna be soooo good once Reed's ready to start, and Amen goes back to where he was. It's just for awhile.
     
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  11. Xerobull

    Xerobull ...and I'm all out of bubblegum

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  12. Houston77

    Houston77 COOKIES AND CAKE, MY TEAM BAKED!
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    Dude, chill. Maybe he won’t be our future PG, but fostering the ability to be a point-forward will be incredible for him going forward. And I mean, it hasn’t exactly been a disaster - we’re 10-3 and Amen is averaging 17/6/5 with only 2 TO a game (the same as his career average despite handling the ball way more). Y’all realize he’s 22, right? 22.
     
    #12 Houston77, Nov 20, 2025 at 6:51 AM
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2025 at 6:57 AM
  13. kaw1988

    kaw1988 Member

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    bingo. If anything I'm impressed. Able to just plug in and play at that level? Ain't worried 'bout nothin. Not right now at least.
     
  14. Bobbythegreat

    Bobbythegreat Member
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    Amen will be fine if he can give up the PG nonsense and go back to what he's good at.

    Imo it's similar to Dwight Howard trying to be a back to the basket post player. If Amen clings to the delusion like Howard did, it'll hurt his career. If instead he gives up the PG fantasy and goes back to playing to his strengths, he's a star in the making.
     
  15. MystikArkitect

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    Could've gone in the "Overreactions" thread
     
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  16. Furious Jam

    Furious Jam Member
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    I've been saying for a long while now that Amen's ceiling is Shawn Marion/Andre Iguodala - a high-level starter capable of making a few all-star teams and being a 3rd banana on a championship team. But people here treat him like the second coming of LeBron and completely untouchable. People swoon over these games where he packs the box score, but they just make me think of Westbrook - an immense physical talent that you can't build a contender around.
     
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  17. Houston77

    Houston77 COOKIES AND CAKE, MY TEAM BAKED!
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    Amen having a Marion/Iguodala career wouldn’t be too bad. They were both great. But saying they are his “ceiling” is ridiculous. Marion never made an All Defense team. Iguodala didn’t make All Defense first team until his 30s. Amen made All Defense First Team at 21.
     
  18. ROXTXIA

    ROXTXIA Member

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    Succinct and correct.
     
  19. DaDakota

    DaDakota Fight Facism
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    Mostly agree, Amen is better off the ball.

    But, don’t care we are 10-3 while still developing chemistry.

    DD
     
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  20. ROXTXIA

    ROXTXIA Member

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    "Swoon," hardly. "Second coming of LeBron," well, hyperbole, okay.
    But the Rockets would be stupid to trade him. (And they won't.)
    His numbers haven't popped off the page "All-Star style" so far, even though he's played very well. Our team added KD and lost our starting point guard, so the dynamics shifted around Amen. So they've employed him as a Swiss army knife.
    If we somehow acquire a point guard before the trade deadline, you'd likely see that first team all defense dude again.
     
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