Amen Thompson wants to take over the NBA

The offseason is when many players can focus on the weaknesses in their game, and Amen Thompson arrived at Houston Rockets training camp with one very specific goal.

Shooting remains the area with the most question marks, so much so that it has repeatedly drawn comparisons to Ben Simmons, and according to some, it is the last real obstacle separating him from All-Star status.

In front of the microphones, though, Thompson responded with plenty of confidence:

Yeah, they have to talk about something. I think I’m really good at a lot of things. I’m very passionate about what I do on the court and it’s fun. I guess you can pick that one thing, but I work on it every day. I know I’m going to become a good shooter, so it doesn’t matter

Amen Thompson

This summer, Thompson signed a five-year, $208 million extension, and despite his still-unreliable shot, he remains an extremely complete and intriguing player. The Rockets guard can rely on elite athleticism, excellent defensive instincts and impressive court vision.

In Houston, though, they hope his offseason work can add another dimension to his game. Reed Sheppard has already noticed some major changes, and not just from a technical standpoint:

The shot looks really good. It’s much smoother, and his body is different too. He put on a lot of weight this summer. You can tell he’s been in the gym and that he’s improved

Reed Sheppard

If the shot becomes a more credible weapon, Thompson’s ambitions could rise accordingly. And he is not hiding where he wants to get:

I want to be one of the best players in the league. So All-NBA, All-Star, All-Defense – those are some of my goals

Amen Thompson

The next step will therefore also go through the work he has done with Chip Engelland, the shooting coach who joined the Rockets’ staff. Thompson has already set the bar: become an All-Star and, over time, try to establish himself among the best players in the NBA.