Stopping 57% of drives is insane. I wonder if that factors in the handful of times when he gets beat and makes a recovery block?
"Underlining his impact on defence is how opposition players only shoot 40.8 per cent when Thompson is the primary defender, whereby league average field-goal percentage is 46.4 per cent. And perhaps the most impressive part of Thompson’s game is his ability as a rim protector. Despite being 6’ 7″, Thompson is averaging an impressive 1.3 blocks per game. For reference, all players who average more blocks than Thompson are 6’ 10″ or above. Thompson’s athleticism and timing allows him to challenge most players at the rim, either as an off-ball defender or in man-on-man defence." https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/02/...playmaking-is-amen-thompson-the-nbas-unicorn/
I called it long ago. He is the best defender in the NBA and should be DPOY. It is non-sensical that so many fans and media think the award has to be given to the best big man like Wemby or Gobert, who can only play goalie. Amen shuts every one down from anywhere on the court.
Most versatile defender : Amen Most impactful defender : a handful of the best big men It’s just the way the game works.
