A few years ago, Shannon Brown was nicknamed the “human trampoline” because he spent his time with his head in the circle, dunking or blocking.
Today, it is the Thompson twins who impress with their athletic qualities. Notably Amen Thompson who emerges as a strong winger in the absence of Jabari Smith.
This night, against the Wizards, he signed one of his best career games with 20 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. All at 7 out of 8 on shots and 6 out of 6 on free throws, without losing a single ball. With just one shot, it was the perfect match, and so his jumper qualities made the difference. His huge dunk, at the start of the second quarter, had the effect of a trigger on the entire group.
“I just told him to get on the launch pad” says Fred VanVleet. “He has a trampoline when he's under the circle, which most other players don't have. You can see it with his supports, the way he moves aside and simply with his timing. It's nice to see. Most of the time, I'm barely halfway through the field, and I see it from the other end of the field when he takes off. »
Ants in the legs
The day before, it was Steven Adams who was enthusiastic about his young teammate. “He’s one of a kind!” “, had let go of the former Thunder pivot. “I’ve never played with anyone like him. His speed is incredible. His second jump is so fast when he takes off, it's crazy. I’ve never seen this type of athleticism.”
Enough to make up for his six-day absence after his suspension for his wrestling match on Tyler Herro.
“Six days is a long time, and it’s good to come back after watching all the matches” he explained after the match against the Lakers. “My presence gives an additional player to accelerate in transition, help in defense… It's a plus, and I am of course focused on rebounding because we lacked a little size. We need second chances, and that's how we play. »
| Amen Thompson | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | HOU | 62 | 22 | 53.6 | 13.8 | 68.4 | 2.4 | 4.2 | 6.6 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 9.5 |
| 2024-25 | HOU | 34 | 29 | 56.7 | 24.4 | 69.5 | 2.6 | 5.0 | 7.6 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 12.5 |
| Total | 96 | 25 | 54.8 | 18.4 | 68.9 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 6.9 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 10.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
