Amen Thompson's Rising Role in Rockets' Success

Amen Thompson: The Rising Star Fueling Houston's Hot Start

The Houston Rockets have emerged as one of the NBA's surprise teams this season, currently standing at an impressive 10-3 after extending their winning streak to five games. At the heart of this success story is the development of young talent Amen Thompson, whose versatile skill set and defensive prowess have quickly made him an integral part of the Rockets' identity.

Thompson's growing role was recently highlighted in an intriguing moment during Houston's 117-113 overtime victory over the Orlando Magic. In the final possession of the game, teammate and superstar Kevin Durant famously waved off Thompson's screen attempt, choosing instead to isolate against Magic forward Tristan da Silva in a one-on-one situation.

Durant's "Rogue" Moment and Team Chemistry

The sequence went viral on social media, prompting Durant to address it during an appearance on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams. "Once I go rogue like that. We're a new team, this is our first 15 games with each other. They haven't seen me go rogue that often," Durant explained.

He elaborated that this was part of the natural development process for a new team still learning each other's tendencies. "At the end of the game I kind of, in that moment, it was like, alright I got it now. K is just going to take him off the dribble. So he gets it now. And there'll be times he just be like, 'I got it.' and I'll be sitting over there like okay go get it. That's just normal man, that's what we do."

Thompson's Versatile Impact

Against the Magic, Thompson showcased his all-around abilities with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists in 39 minutes of action. While his shooting efficiency (4-for-13) roomed for improvement, his defensive contributions and activity inside were invaluable to the team's victory.

Thompson's defensive versatility has been particularly noteworthy this season. His ability to guard multiple positions and make impactful plays in transition has provided the Rockets with a dimension that many teams struggle to counter. As the team continues to gel, his playmaking abilities are also beginning to shine, complementing the scoring prowess of Durant and the post dominance of Alperen Sengun.

The Rockets' Core Trio

The Rockets' success has been fueled by the emergence of what many are calling their "Big Three" – Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson. Each brings a different yet complementary skill set to the table:

• Durant: The veteran superstar provides scoring, shot creation, and championship experience.
• Sengun: The emerging star center offers elite passing, scoring in the post, and rebounding.
• Thompson: The athletic wing brings defensive versatility, playmaking potential, and energy.

Looking Ahead

The Rockets' momentum continues as they prepare for a challenging stretch of games. Friday night, they host the Denver Nuggets (11-3) in an NBA Cup matchup, followed by a four-game road trip that includes several intriguing storylines.

The trip begins with Durant's first return to Phoenix since being traded from the Suns, followed by a matchup against the Golden State Warriors, where Durant will face his former team with whom he won two championships. These games will provide additional tests for the young Rockets squad and further opportunities for Thompson to solidify his role in the team's success.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Amen Thompson and the Rockets to see if they can maintain their early-season success and establish themselves as legitimate contenders in the competitive Western Conference.

"That's just normal man, that's what we do." - Kevin Durant on his "rogue" moment with Amen Thompson