Amen Thompson isn’t backing away from the one criticism that follows him around: the jumper.
As the Houston Rockets opened training camp ahead of the preseason, Thompson spoke with reporters and addressed the talk that his shooting is what keeps people from fully buying into his rise. His answer was blunt and self-assured.
“I mean, yeah, they got to talk about something. So, I feel like I’m really good at a lot of things.
I’m really passionate, you know, on the court, and it’s fun to do that. I guess you pick on that one thing, but I mean, I work on it every day.
I know I’m going to be a good shooter, so it doesn’t matter,” Thompson said.
That confidence comes with real expectations. Thompson signed a five-year, $208 million contract extension this summer, even though he did not land All-NBA or All-Defensive Team honors in 2025-26. He finished last season with averages of 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists, while shooting 53.4% from the field and 21.6% from three-point range.
The shooting numbers are the obvious talking point, but they don’t define everything Thompson brings. He gives Houston a high-end athletic presence around the rim, impacts the game on both ends, finishes lobs, blocks shots, rebounds, and uses his playmaking vision to create for others. He also has the kind of defensive edge that makes him a problem for most opponents’ stars.
Houston has also made a point of helping him clean up that weak spot. The Rockets hired a new shooting coach, and training camp footage has shown Thompson working with Chip Engelland throughout the summer. Social media clips from camp have repeatedly featured that work, including a video of Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson practicing with Engelland after Rockets practice on September 27, 2026.
Reed Sheppard also noticed the difference and spoke highly of Thompson’s offseason approach. Asked what stood out about Thompson compared with last season, Sheppard said, “I mean, everything.
The shot looks really good. It’s a lot smoother, and his body looks different.
He also had a big summer gaining some weight. You can tell he’s been in the gym and improving,” Sheppard said on what looks different about Thompson as compared to last season.
Thompson said the added weight came from a focused summer.
“I feel good. I was eating really healthy, so I put on weight, but I feel I feel like the exact same, which is good,” Thompson said on his weight gain before talking about his All-Star ambitions.
Those ambitions are clear. Thompson said he’s aiming high, with All-Star, All-NBA and All-Defense all on his list of goals.
“Yeah, for sure. I mean that’s always one of my goals.
You know, I want to be one of the best players in the league. So just All-NBA, All-Star, All Defense, you know, those are some of my goals,” Amen Thompson further added.
For now, the message from Thompson is simple: the criticism is noted, the work is happening, and he expects the shooting to come. If it does, the rest of his already impressive game could take another big step.
In Other News...
Kevin Durant Is Already Changing Jabari Smith Jr In Houston
Jabari Smith Jr. spent the offseason working on the finer points of his game, and Kevin Durant was part of the blueprint. The Rockets forward said he has been trying to play lower and clean up his footwork after taking cues from Durants pace and balance, a subtle shift that fits Houstons broader optimism heading into the new season. With Durant in the mix and young pieces like Smith, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson still ascending, the Rockets have plenty of reason to believe the next step can come from internal growth as much as from star power.
For Smith, the changes are less about bulk and more about staying mobile, which matters on both ends for a player expected to keep expanding his role. The challenge is finding the right version of that evolution without sacrificing the agility that lets him handle smaller defenders, and that balance will be worth watching as the Rockets try to blend Durants veteran polish with the energy of their younger core. [Read more 🡒]
Kevin Durant Trade Buzz Just Put Houston's Commitment In Focus
Kevin Durants name is already surfacing in early trade chatter again, which is hardly surprising for a player with his rsum and a player option sitting out there for the 2027-28 season. The latest buzz has him drawing interest from Detroit, but for Houston the bigger takeaway is what has not happened: the Rockets have built their roster around a young core and a win-now structure, with Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet giving the team a clearer direction than it has had in years.
Even with Durant still producing at an All-NBA level, Houston has shown no appetite for opening the door on his market, and a move before the season starts looks unlikely. That stance says plenty about where the Rockets see themselves right now - not as a club tempted by star-chasing noise, but as one committed to protecting the pieces that have made the roster so promising in the first place. [Read more 🡒]
Fred VanVleet Could Quietly Change Reed Sheppard's Rookie Season
Fred VanVleets return gives Houston something it did not have last season: a steady veteran guard who can help shape the backcourt from the jump. After missing the previous year with injury, VanVleet brings experience, organization and a level of calm that should matter for Reed Sheppard, the rookie guard the Rockets are trying to bring along without overwhelming him. The biggest areas of growth for Sheppard are clear enough, especially on defense and in playmaking, and VanVleets presence gives Houston a built-in example at both ends.
Marcus Smart adds another seasoned voice to the mix, which only raises the floor for what Sheppard can learn in his first season. For a young guard trying to find his footing on a team with real expectations, having two veterans around him should be a major advantage. The interesting part now is how quickly all of that translates once the games start and the Rockets begin sorting out who handles the ball, who covers which assignments and how much responsibility Sheppard can absorb right away. [Read more 🡒]