Ime Udoka: Amen Thompson can be a ‘top 15, all-NBA' player for Rockets
Ime Udoka: Amen Thompson can be a 'top 15, all-NBA' player for Rockets Regarding Amen Thompson, Rockets coach Ime Udoka tells Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated: 'He can be a top 15-level player. All-NBA level. People are seeing flashes. We see more.'
In just his second NBA season, Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson is already drawing consideration for All-Defensive First Team honors and perhaps even 2024-25 Defensive Player of the Year.
With elite defense, athleticism, and positional versatility, the 22-year-old averaged 14.1 points (55.7% FG), 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 32.2 minutes per game during the regular season.
But in just his second year since being drafted at No. 4 overall in the 2023 first round, there's still ample time for the 6-foot-7 dynamo to get even better.
How much better?
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka tells Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated:
He can be a top 15-level player. All-NBA level. People are seeing flashes. We see more.
To say the least, it's extremely high praise from a coach who is known around the league for his emphasis on defense and defensive culture.
Two weeks ago on April 6, Thompson led a defensive effort against Golden State superstar Steph Curry that saw the future Hall of Famer limited to just 3 points on 1-of-10 shooting (10.0%). It was the lowest scoring game of Curry's NBA career in games where he's played at least 30 minutes.
With a playoff series looming against the Warriors, Thompson will have an opportunity to do it again —and this time, with a national and global spotlight on each game.
Game 1 of the best-of-seven, first-round series is Sunday night (schedule) at Houston's Toyota Center. Expect Thompson to again be Houston's primary defender on Curry.
More: 'Special, relentless': Rockets, Steph Curry marvel at defense of Amen Thompson
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