https://www.nba.com/stats/players/t...rters&TeamID=1610612745&dir=A&sort=PLUS_MINUS https://www.nba.com/stats/players/a...rters&TeamID=1610612745&dir=A&sort=NET_RATING
Subjectively, this matches my eye test. I feel like I almost never see guys get shots up other than heavily contested jumpers against Amen, and a heavily contested jumper means a guy with a 7'1" wingspan and probably a well over 40 inch vert threatening to actually block the damn thing.
Rockets have gone out of their way the last couple of games to allow Amen to initiate the offense and it's paying off. This is all I've been asking for.
Lebron isn't bad on defense when he's guarding his own man. He's bad on defense this year cuz he's lazy and barely helps out or switches. He leaves guys wide open and they score so that wouldn't factor into this metric.
I’ve been saying this for a while…..Amen Thompson is like Draymond Green, but upgraded. Say what you want about Draymond’s antics, but you can’t deny he’s one of the smartest players out there and the engine behind Golden State’s success. His defense, playmaking, and leadership have been key to their dominance. Now take all that and add Amen’s next-level athleticism and scoring potential. He’s got the same versatility, but with way more upside. If he keeps growing, he could easily surpass what Draymond brings to the table.
Let's just talk offense. Amen will go far beyond Draymond Green. Draymond doesn't beat people off the dribble and finish strong at the rim. His primary goal is/was to facilitate long range jumpers by Steph and Klay. They all knew each others thoughts. He didn't attack with the intent to finish or dish because the defense had to collapse to defend the rim. Amen will eventually develop full fledged PG skills even if he doesn't play the point most of the time. But for that to happen, he must do it on a regular basis and sharpen that tool. Hopefully down the line when the matchup is right, he can become the guy the Rockets give the ball at the end who can finish, draw the foul, pull up or dish to the open guy on the 3-point line. One aspect I gotta give Draymond props for is the leadership thing. His personality and intensity kept the Warriors disciplined and focused on both ends because they knew he would get in their face when they didn't follow the plan.
I feel like Amen might be becoming Udoka's favorite player. I get the sense that Udoka would play him 48 minutes every night if he could.
It's about time. Should have happened a long time ago. Jabari's injury spurred this. I hope Ime never backs off of Amen starting again.
