[The Ringer] Amen Thompson Has Become a Shape Shifting Nightmare

Watch him; he is dancing on his toes. That’s more of a tennis player thing. Few guys that tall are moving around constantly on their toes.

I also think that might make him more prone to turning an ankle worse when he inevitably steps on someone’s foot.

 

That play shocked me. I could not believe he covered the ground that fast. Played it back on my DVR and still can't figure out how he got there.

 

He is as much more gifted athletically than the average NBA player as Wemby is taller/longer, and his feel for the game might be even better. Other than usage--Amen doesn't get to be #1A on offense every play--the only thing separating them right now is that Wemby's jump shot is farther along.

If Amen becomes a legitimately good jump shooter in his prime years, he will be right there contending for MVP awards.

 

So, I watched the highlight after reading the first paragraph. It seems they forgot to mention the complete miscommunication between Amen and Brooks. Great recovery. I'll read rest of the article, but just wanted to get out my initial thought.

 

Yeah, that’s what I remember. What is the time in the 3rd Q for that play?

 

I'm a nerd and holy **** is this article worthy of a nerd out. Outstanding share and outstanding piece w/ scientific data backing up the, "OMG AMEN THOMPSHIM!", stuff.

 

7:25.

 

You cannot capture what Amen does in words, but this guy tried and managed very well. Beautiful piece! Also interesting to learn a difference between Ausar and Amen, in that Ausar has more vertical explosiveness. The craziest part about some of these plays is not even at a distance can you see it coming, let alone when you are in the game. The one block against the Mavs was just insane since Amen tells with his body that he’s not going to defend the drive and turns away, yet can cover so much ground so quickly that he still can block the shot. Almost nonchalantly. I feel watching Amen is what it must have felt like to watch Muhammad Ali doing his floating like a butterfly, just toying with opponents and looking gracefully. Amen might be the most graceful player to ever touch the NBA court.

 

shapeshifters hot af

 

He's more than the X-Factor... he's an X-Man

 

OVERRATED - shoulda drafted Whitmore

 

Best tidbit:

 

Amen!

 

If he becomes a consistent shooter, he won't be contending for MVPs...he'll just be winning them. He could legit become a triple double average type player...but without forcing it to happen like Russ did.

 

Yeah looks like Amen was supposed to switch, thus losing Jimmie. We typically want to switch Wide Out screens for Curry, but don’t switch flares.

But that makes it an even better clip demonstrating his Shape Shifting ability to recover

 

Cool description:

He has the processing and flexibility of a guard, the frame and explosion of an archetypal swingman, and the statistical profile of a 6-foot-11 defensive alpha.

 

That is the type of sports content we need. Not the screaming blowhard casuals they force feed us.

 

So we’re cool with The Ringer again?

 

He'll be a superstar next year. 20+ ppg n dpoy