"I view myself as one of the best defenders": Amen Thompson on impeccable athleticism, 6 MOTY aspirations and more (Exclusive)
It's fitting that Houston Rockets second-year forward Amen Thompson spoke with conviction and speed. He relies on those qualities as part of his daily job description.
“I view myself as one of the best defenders,” Thompson told Sportskeeda. “Obviously, I think it’s very hard to score on me. I think my presence is known on defense.”
Thompson makes his presence known defensively to the casual NBA fan with his impeccable athleticism. That has allowed him to make numerous chase-down plays that have either ended with a block or a steal.
But the Rockets (15-8) enter Sunday’s game against the LA Clippers (14-10) as the NBA’s third-best defensive team for other reasons, too. Houston has advanced to the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup partly because Thompson has excelled as a versatile defender because of consistent film study.
“His recognition of the league in general in situations has gotten better,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “We’re not going through everything for the first time. I think he’s picked up on traits and tendencies and locked in on personnel much better.”
Thompson spoke with Sportskeeda about his defense, whether he wants to win 6th Man of the Year and more.
Editor’s note: The following one-on-one conversation has been edited and condensed.
How would you evaluate your defensive impact so far?
Thompson: “I feel like obviously that I’ve had a great defensive impact, but I always feel like at the end of the game that I could’ve done a little bit more. Just trying to give my all every time I step out there.”
Why do you feel like you can do more?
Thompson: “There’s just times in a game where something happens, and I just feel like I could’ve made a play. But I just didn’t make the play.”
Ime said your versatility with defending multiple positions partly has to do with you knowing each players’ tendencies. How have you tapped into that?
Thompson: “I watch a lot of film. So I’m knowing how players play. I also feel like I have good instincts on dudes’ tendencies. I know that I’m able to stop that.”
What tendencies do you look for when you watch film?
Thompson: “How their head moves. Which way they like to drive? Do they like to foul bait? How much space do I need to give them before they get their shot off? Little stuff like that.”
How do you process all of that stuff in real-time?
Thompson: (laughs). “It’s easy for me because I’m kind of athletic (laughs). I can move. I can give a little space but still move fast enough to block their shot. I can still make a guy jump because they weren’t expecting it, and they didn’t know I was able to contest that.”
I presume part of this has to do with your genes. But what else explains why you’re so quick and fast?
Thompson: “Genes, God (laughs). But just being in the best shape that I can be. I feel like that helps me. I feel like it’s helping me going into the season because I’m in the best shape right now. I’m able to make as many great plays as possible because I’m in great shape. I’m not worried that if I do this that I’m going to be tired later in the game. I just make plays because I know I’m going to be in shape for it.”
What have been your favorite chase-down moments this season?
Thompson: “My favorite chase-down is the one that blew up with Bub Carrington. That was funny. Even I felt I was moving faster than I’m used to. I was like, ‘Damn!’ I can’t think of other ones because that was the one that blew up, really. I didn’t really think about the other ones.”
How do you view yourself as a defender compared to other great defenders in the league?
Thompson: “I view myself as one of the best defenders. Obviously, I think it’s very hard to score on me. I think my presence is known on defense.”
To what extent is winning 6th Man of the Year a goal for you?
Thompson: “That would be nice to have. I would love to have that. But I’m really about just helping my team win and make the playoffs because we can. That’s what I want to do. We’re 20 games in, so there is a lot of time left. At the end of the season, I’ll worry about the 6th Man race. I’m just focusing on winning.”
What’s your outlook on both team and individual goals?
Thompson: “I look at it as if I do what I have to do and what we have to do to help the team win, then it’ll work for me. But it’s about the team first right now. Winning 6th Man was never really one of my goals growing up. But it would be a cool thing to have.”
I presume because you’ve obviously wanted to start?
Thompson: “Yeah, obviously. My whole life, I always wanted to start. But that would be great to have. I’d honestly love to have it.”
Has Ime indicated that could be fluid moving forward with getting some starts?
Thompson: “I have no clue. I know when somebody’s out that I can be one of the guys out to start for that game. I’m just always ready for that, honestly.”
Mark Medina is an NBA insider for Sportskeeda. Follow him on X, Blue Sky, Instagram, Facebook and Threads.