Rockets reporters report: Amen Thompson s shortcomings will become the key to competing for the championship next season

During the journey this season, the Houston Rockets have brought many surprises to fans, and the potential shown by young players makes people look forward to the future of this team. Among the many potential new stars, Amen Thompson is undoubtedly the most eye-catching one. His talent and ability have allowed everyone to see the hope of the Rockets' revival, but his fatal shortcomings have become a key variable on the team's road to championship next season.

Amen Thompson has a coveted physical talent. His height of 2.01 and a wingspan of 2.13 meters have a natural advantage in the defender position. Coupled with his bounce and top athletic ability that is comparable to the peak Westbrook, he can show a strong influence on both offense and defense. On the defensive end, Amen's performance is amazing. His solid defense skills and active hands allow him to defend from No. 1 to No. 5. Successfully selected for the best defensive team this season is the best recognition of his defensive ability. On the offensive end, his first step is extremely fast to start, his dribble explosive power, and he can easily break through the opponent's defense line, create scoring opportunities for himself or his teammates. His excellent passing vision and selfless game style also make him one of the organizers of the team's offense.

However, no one is perfect, and Amen Thompson also has a clear shortcoming, that is his outside projection ability. This season, his three-point shooting percentage is only 27.4%, and his free throw shooting percentage is not stable enough. Such shooting data is undoubtedly a huge hidden danger in the league that emphasizes three-pointers and free throws. When Amen is on the court, his opponent often chooses to let go of his three-pointer and shrink his defense, which not only limits his personal offensive choices, but also compresses the team's offensive space, making it difficult for the Rockets' offensive tactics to be fully implemented.

If the Rockets want to compete for the championship next season, Amen Thompson must improve his shooting ability. Once he can find a stable feel on the outside, his opponent will not dare to let him go easily, which will create more opportunities for him to break through. When breaking through, the opponent will inevitably shrink his defense line in order to prevent him from scoring. At this time, Amen can use his excellent passing ability to pass the ball to his teammates in an open position, making the Rockets' offense more three-dimensional and diverse. Moreover, a stable three-point shooting can also open up space for Shin Kyung, Smith and others in the inside, allowing them to have more singles opportunities in the inside and improve the team's overall offensive efficiency.

From the team's tactical perspective, the improvement of Amen's shooting ability is also crucial. At present, the Rockets' offensive tactics are sometimes in trouble because of Amen's projection shortcomings. If he can become a reliable three-point shooter, the coach will have more options in tactical arrangements. For example, more pick-and-roll tactics can be designed to allow Amen to cooperate with inside players. When the opponent chooses to double-team Amen, he can choose to shoot or pass the ball to the inside players who are going down according to the situation; he can also add more off-ball running tactics, using Amen's speed and cutting ability to create opportunities for teammates to take three-point shots.

In the fiercely competitive Western Conference, every championship team has strong strength and a complete lineup. If Amen Thompson cannot solve his projection problem, the Rockets will face great pressure on the offensive end when facing these strong teams. On the contrary, if he can train hard during the offseason and improve his shooting ability, the Rockets will be more powerful and become a strong contender for the championship next season. Amen Thompson's fatal shortcomings have indeed become the key to the Rockets' championship next season. Let's wait and see if he can complete his own breakthrough and lead the Rockets to glory.