Houston Rockets swingman Amen Thompson is excited about the chance to play alongside one of the best scorers in NBA history, Kevin Durant, this upcoming season.
During a recent episode of the Young Man and the Three podcast, Thompson reflected on what it’s like guarding Durant during their first two NBA seasons.
“So just you know we’re double teaming. I’m guarding him. Obviously, he’s bigger than me, but we’re double-teaming, and he could pass, too. That’s the thing. Like KD could pass, I think every time we play him, he gets like eight plus assists. You know what I mean?” the Houston Rockets guard explained.
“So having him on my team, knowing I mean if I’m guarding him and we’re doubling, other people got to double too. So just knowing the easy opportunities it’s going to make for the whole team, just having a threat like that, and even for me, like I’m excited.. I’m smiling, thinking about just getting on the court for the first time with him,” he added.
Houston Rockets swingman draws Most Improved Player of the Year prediction from analyst
ESPN recently voted Amen Thompson as the leading candidate for next season’s Most Improved Player of the Year award. However, The Ringer’s Michael Pina is predicting Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. to win the coveted award instead during his latest podcast.
“I think he will benefit greatly from having Kevin Durant — who, in a lot of ways, his game is similar to. Not close to as good, or saying he ever will be, but similar to that archetype,” Pina said about Smith.
“I think Jabari Smith Jr. will have a really good year, a more efficient year. Even if he isn’t averaging 17 or 18 points per game, you’ll notice the improvement if you watch the Houston Rockets play. That’s my pick, I think he’ll have a really good year,” he added.
