Some players’ “Welcome to the League Moment” is getting pierced to the chest by a really strong player or getting dunked on by a superstar. Amen Thompson’s is different. The fast rising Houston Rockets player thought he is definitely on the league already because of a three-digit bet involving one of the best midrange players in history.
Thompson trusts his instincts and defense a lot but little did he know was that Kings’ DeMar Derozan can outwit him on a play the latter has done a thousand times.
The Rockets met the the Sacramento Kings and Thompson was warned about the six-time All-Star’s caliber. He probably listened but he trusts his skills more to the point that he made a bet with teammate Fred Van Vleet who was Derozan’s former teammate in the Toronto Raptors.
“It was the coaches and Fred [VanVleet], they told me… Fred played with DeRozan. They told me not to jump on his pump fake.
“I know myself to be a good defender, so I’m like, ‘I’m not going to jump on this pump fake. And since you told me, I’m definitely not going to jump on this pump fake.”
How did it turn out for him?
Amen Thompson’s confidence was not enough
Derozan’s pump fake has been his bread and butter since his college days with the USC Trojans. The midrange is his playground.
Needless to say, the young player lost twice. First is the battle against Derozan and the second is he lost $100.
This in turn became his “Welcome to the League” moment.
“My first play against him, pump fake, I jumped, that’s $100 I owe Fred. So that was really like my welcome to the league moment.”
Thompson, of course, can still improve. As early as now, he is being predicted as the next star in the league with his tenacious defense and high motor.
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