40 million in 4 years, join the rocket! Stone is a blessing in disguise, the main core of Houston's future!
After a big win over the Hornets, the Rockets not only got a precious game, but also continued to maintain the top spot in the standings. They are now 11th in the West, just one less than Utah. However, it is clear that the potential and progress shown by these youngsters is more important and long-term than what they showed in the regular season compared to the short playoff season. Although the Rockets eventually made the playoffs or made the playoffs, no one was pinning their hopes on them, and they saw it more as an opportunity to practice. But, from their growth and their limits, they have drawn a clear outline for the future of the rocket.
Jalen Green was like an erupting volcano and he scored a season-high 36 points. Whitmore, meanwhile, had an excellent 24 points and 11 rebounds in the game. But what excites Houston fans and coaches the most is Amen Thompson, the newly emerging fourth-overall rookie. As a ball-handler, he worked perfectly with his teammates like a conductor in a symphony, shooting four of six, three three-pointers, six rebounds, eight assists, and completing two accurate blocks, all of which he had a plus/minus of +25 with the exception of VanVleet. Compared with Green, who is already considered the core scorer of the team, and Whitmore, who is trusted by Coach Yudoga, Amen's appearance is like a ray of light, bringing infinite reverie to the Rockets.
While Amen Thompson was the No. 4 pick in the first round, the attention he received and the expectations that came from him didn't surprise Whitmore. He was selected with the No. 20 pick because of his excellent play, which was hailed as the Rockets' biggest trade, like a piece of jade, which was poached by the Rockets with an unknown pick. However, we also can't ignore Amen's expectations for the Rockets, which are also based on a higher level of selection. As you can imagine, if the Rockets had put Whitmore at No. 4, no one would have sent him away. This irreversible sequence highlights that Amen plays a pivotal role in the Rockets' restructuring strategy.
So, a lot of people are talking about Whitmore's potential to be a lottery pick, and the reason why Amen was selected as a 4-year 40 million player is because he has better talent, better performance, and more potential. In fact, from that day on, although the Rockets only got a No. 4 pick, it was a good thing for them. If the first pick is obtained by the Rockets, Wembanyama will also be included, and Jabari Smith and Shin Kyung, two players who already have an All-Star level, are likely to change their development paths, especially Shin Kyung, who is likely not to get to where he is now. The addition of Amen Thompson, as if he is the darling of heaven, opens a new chapter for the Rockets, full of hope.
On the contrary, the Rockets cleverly used Shin Jing and Smith to form a forward combination, one for forward, one for guard, and one for guard. However, what this team needs most is a midfielder who can help the players. It's clear that VanVleet is just a small part of that transition, while Amen Thompson is Houston's most promising point guard for years to come. Now, he's working hard to improve his fighting skills and try to make himself stronger. Judging by recent footage, the whole team was full of energy as Amen and the Rockets' youth players took to the court, their defense was like a ferocious beast, and their counterattacks were like a raging storm. Unlike VanVleet who sent bullets to Shen Jing, Amen showed a wider vision and excellent physical fitness on the court, making the Rockets' offense more fluid.
Although his average score is 65 points, 42 rebounds, 22 assists and 10 blocks, but he also shot only 16 from three-point range1%。However, if you translate his score into 36 points, 91 rebound, 48 assists, 22 blocks, that's his potential. Amen is not one of those high-ranking rookies, as soon as he enters the NBA, there are too many opportunities to play, and the team he is on has not been completely restructured, and he needs his own ability, not relying on his talent to get more opportunities. This kind of competition is not a bad thing for him, it is like a whetstone that allows him to learn and grow faster.
Although Amen's shooting skills are not perfect at the moment, the Rockets' managers are still optimistic. Assuming Amen's form is good, Wembanyama is likely to be the first pick, with Miller and Jordan Henderson also affected. At the very least, Amen has potential in both offensive and defensive areas, which gives the Rockets a lot of confidence. Now, what the Rockets have to do is hold him in the palm of their hands, after all, VanVleet has only been gone for a while, and Amen Thompson is the mainstay of the team's future defense.