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Rockets' Thompson: A Wing Forced to Initiate Offense
27 Feb
Summary
- Amen Thompson is playing point guard for the Houston Rockets this season.
- Thompson admits he is still learning to initiate the offense effectively.
- Houston has not made aggressive moves to acquire a traditional point guard.
Amen Thompson has embraced a career-defining season with the Houston Rockets, adapting to the team's need for a point guard. This shift, however, has presented challenges, as Thompson himself admitted to ongoing learning in initiating the offense. His capabilities as a dynamic wing and slasher are significantly different from a traditional point guard like Fred VanVleet.
The Rockets have opted against aggressive trade maneuvers to acquire a primary ball-handler, a decision that underscores their approach to team building. This strategy means Thompson continues to operate outside his natural strengths, often bringing the ball up court and initiating plays from the perimeter, areas where his effectiveness is limited.
Another player, Reed Sheppard, possesses playmaking skills and can facilitate from behind the arc, but his usage has been limited, partly due to defensive concerns. The team's roster decisions, including the status of two-way player JD Davison, suggest a continued reliance on their current group rather than major acquisitions for a point guard role.
