The 80th NBA season couldn’t have started any better as reigning champions Oklahoma City Thunder kicked off their title defense at Paycom Center in front of the home crowd with a thrilling double-overtime win over the Houston Rockets.
Three former OKC stars — Kevin Durant, Steven Adams and Jeff Green —watched the team that drafted them raise its first banner in franchise history, if we don’t count the title Seattle SuperSonics won back in 1976. Despite losing starting point guard Fred VanVleet just before the season tip-off, Ime Udoka’s team immediately showed why many consider them title contenders.
Advertisement
However, that’s where the Rockets’ backcourt question comes in. As much as the combination of Alperen Sengun and Durant looks intimidating, the guard position is thin to say the least, prompting NBA legend Tim Hardaway Sr. to weigh in on starting Amen Thompson at the point guard position.
“I just want to say one thing — Houston Rockets, y’all need a point guard. Y’all need a veteran point guard coming in, run the offense, get y’all down to offense quicker, bring the ball to the people that need the ball in an area they can be effective. Until y’all get a veteran point guard, it’s going to be tough for y’all whole season,” Hardaway said via Instagram.
“I don’t like Amen Thompson as a point guard for 48 minutes. I like him, you know, 24 minutes, maybe 20 minutes, but not 48 minutes. So let’s see what type of adjustment they made. The coach is outstanding, love his thinking, and they’re going to be tough in the West,”  Tim added.
Advertisement
Sengun should be the Rockets’ primary playmaking option
The 6-foot-7 Thompson played well in the opener, posting 18 points, five rebounds and four assists in 39 minutes of play. For the first time in his career, he was the starting point guard. Even in today’s positionless era, where the league finds itself with roles not as strictly defined as they were back in the day, Amen was still not viewed as the primary ball handler.
Although Sengun has the best court vision on the roster, as demonstrated by his 39 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists against one of the league’s top defenses, the Rockets lost a veteran presence with VanVleet’s injury. That’s a player with championship experience and a reliable perimeter threat, something Thompson doesn’t naturally provide.
Advertisement
Thompson is a top defender, but far from a reliable shooter and distributor
Many predict a bright future for Thompson, primarily due to his defensive abilities, but outside shooting and distribution are not his strong suits. Former NBA player Jeff Teague also explained his doubts regarding Houston’s title chances.
“Like, Sengun can play, he can hoop, but I don’t think he can make it easier for Kevin Durant, like take pressure off. Thompson twin can’t shoot, and I’m a fan of him. He can get to the basket, he can create and things like that, but I don’t know if they’re there right now,” Teague said.
Advertisement
H-Town had a chance to bring back Russell Westbrook, but the reunion with KD was postponed, at least for now. Instead, last season’s third pick, Reed Shepard, who struggled in his rookie season, became the team’s bench option.
Free-agent guards who could help Houston include the likes of Ben Simmons, Spencer Dinwiddie, Cameron Payne, Monte Morris and Markelle Fultz. None of them are reliable shooting threats, and only Simmons has the potential to be a floor general. However, judging by Ben’s past few years, it’s hard to imagine Houston taking that chance.
At the end of the day, this experiment with five players taller than 6-foot-7 could pay off. Sengun might develop into a version of Nikola Jokic, but Hardaway Sr. is likely correct — a veteran guard could significantly help the Rockets and allow Thompson to showcase his full talent in areas where he excels.
Advertisement
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.