The Rockets don’t need to reinvent the wheel to get the most out of Amen Thompson. They already have a working model on the shelf, and it came from the Russell Westbrook season in 2020.
That setup is simple enough: put a non-shooting perimeter creator in space, surround him with four shooters, and let the floor open up. The difference now is that Houston can do it without gutting its size.
Back then, the Rockets had to trade away their proper center and lean on PJ Tucker or Robert Covington in the paint. This time, Jabari Smith Jr. gives them a 6’11” defender who can also confidently shoot threes.
Thompson’s usage is the real question. Last season, he took on more offensive responsibility and spent a lot of time functioning like a point guard.
But his best lane is clearer than that: drive, score, attack, and don’t have to shoulder the whole table-setting job. With Fred VanVleet and Marcus Smart both on the roster, he should have plenty of chances to do exactly that.
The most dangerous version of that idea could come in a fully spaced lineup built around Thompson, Smith, Kevin Durant, one of those two veteran point guards, and another shooter. That fifth spot could be Tari Eason if Houston wants more defense, or Reed Sheppard if it wants to lean harder into shooting. It wouldn’t make sense as a regular starting group because All-Star Alperen Sengun would be left out, but it could still be a valuable weapon if the Rockets are serious about maximizing Thompson.
The appeal goes beyond spacing, too. Thompson doesn’t have Westbrook’s explosive scoring punch from that prime 2020 run, when Westbrook was putting up an efficient 30 points per game.
But Thompson brings more size and more defensive flexibility. He can check perimeter players, move up onto bigger wings, and help on the boards when needed.
That gives Houston options it didn’t have in the Westbrook build. A four-out look around Thompson could actually be even more workable in some respects, because the Rockets can keep more defensive versatility on the floor while still stretching the defense. They won’t get the same offensive fireworks, but they can get a cleaner blend of shooting, size, and stopping power.
None of that means the Rockets should abandon their other looks. They still need lineups built around their bully-ball strengths.
But there’s real value in sprinkling in groups where Thompson is the lone non-shooter. It could speed up his growth as a ball-handler, and it may also give the front office a better read on where the team is headed.
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There is also a practical reason the Rockets seem comfortable leaning on that pair for the long haul. Their contracts give Houston stability at two very different spots on the floor, and last season showed how valuable that mix can be when Adams is available. The bigger question now is not whether the Rockets can use both styles, but how much of their offense and defense can be built around them when the margins get tight. [Read more 🡒]