Houston Rockets’ Amen Thompson Faces Challenges as Lead Guard
The Houston Rockets entered this season with a glaring concern: the absence of a true lead guard to orchestrate their offense while balancing scoring responsibilities. Fred VanVleet was seen as the perfect solution for this role, someone capable of elevating the team through his scoring prowess while also facilitating plays for his teammates. However, despite the promising development of Reed Sheppard this season, the Rockets have struggled to replace VanVleet’s output on the court.
Thompson’s Growing Pains
Amen Thompson has received the lion’s share of opportunities to step into the lead guard position. Yet, his performances have often been marked by inconsistency and moments of struggle. While Thompson possesses some of the mental attributes required to thrive in this role, his execution has yet to match the expectations. His court vision, while not at the elite level of Alperen Sengun, does stand out among several top playmakers in the league.
Thompson has demonstrated an ability to find open shooters on the perimeter during his drives to the basket. His playmaking skills shine in transition, where he has emerged as the Rockets’ most effective player since his arrival last season. Teammates like Jabari Smith Jr. and even Kevin Durant have benefited from the opportunities created by Thompson in fast-paced situations. Additionally, he showcases creativity in his passing, often setting up big men like Sengun and Steven Adams, and even connecting with Clint Capela for close-range finishes.
The Missing Piece
Despite these strengths, the crux of Thompson’s challenge lies in the mismatch between his physical capabilities and his mental acuity on the court. The most critical area for his development as a lead ball handler is his ball-handling skills. In today’s NBA landscape, effective on-ball defense is paramount, particularly among the league’s elite teams. Defenses apply relentless pressure on ball handlers, and the best players not only withstand this pressure but also create scoring opportunities for themselves and their teammates.
Thompson’s natural ability as a ball handler is still evolving. He has flashed moments of brilliance with exciting moves towards the basket, yet struggles persist in his ability to effectively navigate through defenses in half-court settings. Until he can consistently manage the ball under pressure, maneuvering through screens, and identifying scoring opportunities, he will find it difficult to develop into the playmaker the Rockets envision for their future.
For the Rockets, the hope remains that Thompson can refine his skills, allowing him to fully embrace the responsibilities expected from their lead guard position.
