Will Rockets Amen Thompson ever take the next step?

There’s a fine line between fearmongering and reporting.

Lately, I’m obsessed with Artificial Intelligence (AI). This self-indulgent diatribe will be brief, although I will note that this is exactly the type of self-aware writing that AI can’t replicate:

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Yet.

It seems likely to me that AI will be an extinction-level event. We are training the models to solve macro problems, and one viable solution to many macro problems would be “remove the humans”.

Anyway, this website is about the Houston Rockets.

I’ve used this platform to criticize Rockets players to such an extent that at times, I’ve been labelled a malcontent. It is not my intention to monger fear. I intend to be objective. For example, I’ve said multiple times that Amen Thompson is my favorite player on this team.

And I’m getting worried about him.

Rockets’ Amen Thompson is failing expectations

Per DataBallr, the Rockets are -1.0 with Thompson on the floor, and a resounding +34.7
when he’s off.

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There is some noise in those numbers. The Rockets are shooting 47.0% from deep when Thompson is off, and 33.3% when he’s on. There’s probably no ironclad causal link there:

But there is probably some correlation.

Eye test-wise: The offense just looks better when he’s off the floor. The Alperen Sengun, surrounded by shooters and length, dream that so many have harbored for so long, is actualizing, and it’s beautiful. Thompson’s 22.2% three-point shooting has established that Chip Engelland, for all of his talents, is not a God.

Last season, the Rockets were +6.7 when Thompson was on the court. It’s hard to pinpoint what has changed. It’s likely less that Thompson has a specifically negative impact, and more a testament to how well everything is working when he’s off. Still, it’s fair to say that he looks a bit different. There appears to be some lost confidence.

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Too often, Thompson sets out to drive to the hoop, only to be stymied by the defense, almost seeming surprised to find a rim protector where his rim is supposed to be. His midrange has made exactly 0.0% progress. It’s getting scary:

What’s the solution?

Thompson needs to figure it…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/rockets-amen-thompson-ever-next-153719679.html

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Publish date : 2026-11-06 15:37:00

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