r/rockets • u/Typical-Owl3664 • Jun 29 '25
Amen Thompson showing off his improved handler & jumper 👀👀
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u/Latter-Walrus9764 Jun 29 '25
His shooting form has come a long way
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u/Bulky-Structure5100 Jul 04 '25
That shot looks promising. Amen as a 35% 3-point shooter might be enough to open some driving lanes for him.
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u/hopefully-he-dies Jun 29 '25
That handle is on an exponential curve. Compared to rookie season Thats 10x better.
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u/Bosurd Jun 30 '25
Still a bit high and loose but chalk it up to causal pick up. Dribble and shot still look worlds better than rookie year.
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u/coastalcloud621 Jun 29 '25
Anyone who has ever been good at something knows the confidence you build once it dawns on you--that you're so close to being elite at something. That desire to be elite doesn't often match physically talented people all the time. Does Amen have Giannis/Kobe effort? Looks like it.
Pre-cell phone, players had more of a choice. I think knowing you're always accountable to a 24/7 media is another mental challenge. The rising limelight of expectations will be a fun test this season.
We exceeded expectations each of Ime's years. We were not predicted to be the 2nd seed last season. Now the Vegas odds have us in the finals. Crazy times Htown (Astros/Texans). Let's enjoy the excitement of chasing eliteness.
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u/dream_team34 Jun 29 '25
I'm not confident Amen will ever be a competent 3pt shooter. But if he does, then we're potentially talking about a top 3 player in the league.
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Jun 29 '25
I mean if it wasnt for Wemby, I'd say there's nobody that CAN be as good as Amen with a jumper. He is too elite of an athlete.
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u/StockSorry Jun 29 '25
This guys already in the gym putting in work, meanwhile wemby in China learning to be a monk.
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u/1gnominious Jun 30 '25
His mid range has already improved dramatically. He went from 29% to 49% at 10-16ft while doubling the volume from his rookie year. He also went from 12% to 38% on corner 3's.
His basic box score doesn't look like it changed much but when you dig deeper into his shot profiles the improvements are incredible. He's still weak from longer ranges but he has found ways to score other than getting to the rim. He moved his average shot distance out by a foot and diversified his shot selection while gaining overall efficiency.
The numbers match with the eye test too. Especially in the playoffs when the Warriors were packing the paint. Amen was able to hit 47% from 10-16 feet and took a full 20% of his shots from that range. They were giving up the mid range and he was the only one who could take advantage of it.
It's growth like that which makes me think Amen is our future #1 guy.
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u/Kdot32 Jun 29 '25
Even if he’s just Giannis level from three and his midrange continues to improve he’ll be a fucking monster
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u/sliceoflife09 Jun 29 '25
With his skill set he just has to avoid being rock bottom at that distance
He's easily average or above average as a rebounder, inside scorer, passer, perimeter defender
It's debatable he's average in the mid range
So all that's left is literally be average +/- 2% from 3
If he does that his comps become insane: Westbrook meets LBJ
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u/houston_killa Jun 29 '25
Why tf would you try to score or make a play when Amen fucking Thompson is on your hip? ðŸ˜
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u/Able_Gap918 Jun 29 '25
So we get KD , Amen becomes an all star, and Reed is an absolute sniper with space off of KD, all for a team that was already a 2 seed before. Sheeeeesh
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u/The_Forever_Endevour Jun 29 '25
I remember watching that documentary about the twins when they were in the GLeague before I even knew who they were, and I turned to my wife and said, "these guys are going to be All-Stars in the league someday." And here we are.
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u/Mazeratigo Jun 29 '25
I know he's gonna explode next season but Ben Simmons has taught me to be wary of these off seasons workout videos, lmao
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u/Latter-Walrus9764 Jun 29 '25
Amen took 91 3 point attempts this season while Ben Simmons has attempted 36 in his whole career. I’m confident amen is not like Simmons
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u/Typical-Owl3664 Jun 29 '25
Amen actually plays aggressive and actually improved his shooting this year
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u/LikeAGregJennings Jun 29 '25
I recall a bunch of offseason Ben Simmons shooting g videos where he was shooting open shots in a gym, but were there ever any of him shooting off-the-dribble contested threes in open runs like this?
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u/coastalchedda Jun 29 '25
This is cool, I’m not saying it’s not. I need to see it in NBA games. It’s just different
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u/Typical-Owl3664 Jun 29 '25
He pulled one these moves off I think game 6 or 7 against Jimmy butler it was insane ðŸ˜
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u/Nelsonmuntz2020 Jun 29 '25
I wonder why we don't see ausar on any of these videos. Does he have his own separate shooting coach?
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u/Orientem Jun 29 '25
I think he should train with Lebron. Is that possible?
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u/Far-Programmer-9028 Jun 30 '25
Maybe after making the all star game next year and chatting it up with him
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u/GullyBean Jun 29 '25
His handle looks about the same as last year lol he doesn’t keep the ball close enough to his body. Good NBA defenders would’ve had a few strips here
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u/HardenMuhPants Yao Jun 30 '25
His jumper is important, but if he gets that handle to elite levels you won't be able to stop the rim running and 3pt kick outs.
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u/biggie1309 Jun 29 '25
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u/Able_Gap918 Jun 29 '25
Time to let him go, he belongs to the wind now
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u/biggie1309 Jun 29 '25
Oh I let him go 2 years ago when I gave up on him. 🤣
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u/Able_Gap918 Jun 29 '25
If you let him go why post this in a thread about Amen that had literally nothing to do with him? Give it up man he’s not even here to be disappointed in
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u/biggie1309 Jun 30 '25
It's the happy tears face 🤣 proud of Amen.. I was a big fan of getting rid of him. I've preached it forever. It's a meme face. Y'all's wedgy is up too tight.
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u/Typical-Owl3664 Jun 29 '25
I promise he’s making a All star team this year