Amen Thompson didn’t arrive at Rockets Media Day sounding like a player satisfied with where he stands. He came in talking about the gap between what he already is and what he still wants to become.
The most striking thing he said was that he didn’t believe he deserved an All-Defensive Team spot last season. That’s a sharp standard for a player who was already excellent on that end, but Thompson made it plain that he sees more room to climb. He wants to be a better defender, not just a good one.
There’s also a little extra fuel sitting right there in the family. His twin brother, Ausar Thompson, made the All-Defensive team last year.
Amen did not. That alone figures to keep pushing him as he heads into this season.
Thompson’s defensive talent isn’t in question. He has the size, athleticism, and strength to make life miserable for opponents, and that part of his game already stands out. What comes next is the less flashy but more important stuff: learning more tendencies, staying locked in possession after possession, and turning those tools into something even more reliable.
He also wants to expand beyond the court in a different way. Thompson said he wants to be a vocal leader for the team, and that fits with the growth mindset he described.
This isn’t just about polishing one skill. It’s about becoming a more complete player and a stronger presence overall.
Of course, the conversation around Thompson almost always circles back to shooting. That’s the obvious area to watch, and he said he’s been working on his shot with Houston’s new shooting coach. If that part of his game takes a real step forward, it changes the shape of his offense in a big way.
But Thompson’s focus goes well beyond that. He mentioned defense, ball-handling, leadership, and becoming better all around. That’s the right list for a young player still on the rise.
He doesn’t need to suddenly become a deadly 3-point shooter to take another leap. If he keeps improving his handle and gets more comfortable creating his own shot, he can keep growing into a tougher, more dangerous player.
The encouraging part is that he’s already shown steady progress year after year, and he has made an impact without being a polished shooter. If the handle sharpens and the jumper becomes respectable enough that defenses can’t just sag off him, his transition game, athleticism, and defense become even more overwhelming.
That’s why his Media Day comments stood out. Thompson isn’t only trying to patch the most obvious hole in his game. He’s trying to level up everywhere.
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