The Houston Rockets may have garnered significant attention across the NBA for securing the second seed in the highly competitive Western Conference during the 2024-25 season, but one of the players most credited with shaping their team identity was second-year forward Amen Thompson. Following a standout year in which he earned a place in the All-Defensive First Team, former NBA player Kendrick Perkins is convinced that if Amen continues to perform at such a high level, he could well and truly become the best two-way player in the league sooner than most expect.
Does Amen have it in him to become a two-way beast?
By all measures, the 2024-25 campaign marked a breakout year for Amen, as he improved his averages in all statistical categories, be it scoring, rebounding, assists, steals or blocks. Furthermore, beyond providing coach Ime Udoka the belief that he could guard the opposition’s best wing or guard, Thompson showed how he could take over the scoring and involve others in the game with his pass-first mentality, as needed.
During the regular season, Amen registered 24 games with double-digit rebounds and recorded four games with double-digit assists. Then, when the Rockets were desperately in need of a spark in the playoffs, Amen elevated his performance, averaging 15.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game against the more experienced Golden State Warriors during the postseason.
Ultimately, this consistency in excellence on both ends of the floor has only encouraged Perkins to boldly proclaim that if Amen continues to perform at the same level, showing the same level of diligence and basketball IQ, he could legitimately contend for the league’s best two-way player discussions within the next couple of years.
“I believe he has the possibility to be the best two-way player in the game in the next two years. A defensive pest,” Perkins said about Thompson. “One of two players to go out and get 85 steals and 85 blocks last year.”
Thompson can focus more on his growth with Durant by his side
That being said, now with Kevin Durant joining the roster, Amen will, for the first time in his young career, have the chance to learn directly from one of the greatest scorers of all time. With Durant expected to shoulder the primary scoring load, Thompson will enjoy more freedom to expand his offensive skill set while assuming greater responsibility on the defensive end.
Playing alongside versatile defenders like Dorian Finney-Smith, both players will be instrumental in covering for any defensive lapses and taking on multiple defensive assignments. Thus, the 2025-26 season could very well be the one in which Amen contends for an All-NBA Team selection, an All-Star nod or even an individual accolade.
But for that to happen, Thompson will be required to put in double the effort and maximize his production to make the Rockets attain an even higher seeding than last time out in the Western Conference. While the ask is undoubtedly challenging, Amen has the full support of Big Perk behind him, who believes in his talent, work ethic and sky-high potential.