Rockets rising star Amen Thompson discusses learning 'how to be a dog'

Amen Thompson is cut from old-school cloth.

A man of few words, Thompson prefers to let his game speak.

Hes always been wired this way.

Hell never be the loudest guy in the locker room unless hes talking about his twin brother, Ausar, arguing with Jalen Green about whos more athletic or discussing his early years playing at Overtime Elite.

Hell defend OTE forever.

Advertisement When Thompson addressed the media earlier this week after his heroic late-game efforts against the Boston Celtics, he said Mondays game winner was only the second-greatest shot of his career.

Oh, no, not in my life.

In the NBA, Thompson said.

So which was first? Game 2, OTE finals.

Teammate Dillon Brooks, fresh off a career game of his own, overheard the conversation and couldnt help but interject.

OTE dont count, the veteran said with a smirk.

OTE does count, actually, Thompson responded almost immediately.

In his second season, Thompsons no-nonsense approach regarding the things he holds close to his heart has carried over to a Houston Rockets team flying high in the Western Conference.

Thompson is consumed by defense he once told The Athletic his brain zones out after a 24-second shot clock and he is prepared to keep flying around the court for as long as it takes.

Estimated plus-minus (or EPM) grades Thompson in the 98th percentile of all defenders in the NBA, and various other advanced metrics give him elite grades for his versatility, rebounding proficiency and shot blocking at his position.

Since inserting him into the starting lineup after a hand injury to Jabari Smith Jr., the Rockets have won 13 of their 16 games and look like a team capable of making a deep playoff run.

Ahead of Thompsons 22nd birthday Thursday, the Rockets forward briefly caught up with The Athletic to delve into his mindset, his impact and what makes him such a feared opponent at both ends of the floor.

Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

I know were in Year 2 of the Amen Thompson experience, but I want to take things back right before you got drafted.

Do you recall what was said about you during the predraft process, any of the drawbacks to your game? And did any of that ever affect you? I mean, they said I couldnt shoot and wasnt good off the ball.

(Laughs.) It never really affected me because it just motivates me.

It always motivated me.

You know, all the weaknesses people say I have, it just motivates me.

How were you able to navigate your time at Overtime Elite without a consistent jumper? And what adjustments did you have to make once you made it to the NBA? I mean, at OTE, I felt like I could get to wherever I wanted to on the court.

So I didnt really feel the need to (shoot the ball), but I was still working on it back then because I knew I would need it for the league.

And now ...

wait, what was the other question again? Advertisement What did you have to adjust to your game once you got to the league, if anything? I just locked in more off the ball as an off-ball player.

More as a cutter when I dont have the ball in my hands.

And then when all the stuff that Im great at really comes out and pops over time, then yeah.

Watching you, it looks like theres a unique fluidity to the hyper-mechanics and explosiveness of your game.

Did you have to unlock any of that this season? Nah, its just kind of instinctual.

Im athletic I dont really notice how athletic I am until people really tell me.

Thats really just how I am.

Before being inserted into the starting lineup, you were already one of the most impactful players off the bench, and since the calendar flipped, your production as a starter has reached another gear.

Are there any changes in your game going from reserve to starter? No.

I feel like they got me in the same sort of situation, you know? Theyre going to ...

yeah, its kind of the same.

How would you describe your game within a league thats becoming more positionless? Youre a basketball player first and foremost, but is there a box you can be put in? Or do you just consider yourself positionless? I can be positionless, yeah.

I feel like Im a point guard, but I can be any position you want me to be on the court.

I feel like thats such a good thing to have, you know? With Fred (VanVleet) and Jalen (Green) out there, I can be off the ball and thrive.

When youre that malleable, what are the conversations like with the coaching staff? Because technically, you occupy different positions even within a single possession.

Its not even really a discussion.

They make jokes about it, but its just really an understanding that I could do it.

Like last year, when I first started playing some center and power forward, they would tell me a few things.

But they understand that I can do it.

So its not a conversation, its just go out and do it.

Advertisement One area where your versatility has helped is on the glass, especially since Jabari Smith Jr.

has been out.

Is there a science to rebounding or is it purely instinctual? Ive always wondered how the best rebounders do it so consistently ...

(Laughs.) Its fully instinctual, to be honest.

I mean there is a science the more I crash, the more rebounds and opportunities Ill possibly get.

But its something Im just good at, apparently.

Theres also been a noticeable shift in your defensive responsibilities as of late.

What is the mental process in play for having to defend Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen all in the span of 24 seconds? You just gotta lock in.

Those are two totally different players, and (the Rockets coaching staff) has me switching on every position throughout a game.

So just knowing what each position requires for me on defense.

So do you use entirely different concepts when youre guarding perimeter players versus bigs? Or are there similar themes or concepts you carry across the board? I approach everything the same, you just gotta lock up.

Honestly, Im not even going to lie.

I dont really think about it too much.

All right, (Allen is) bigger so I have to be more physical.

Im going to be fast anyway, so you just have to defend.

(Coach Ime Udoka) has talked at length about this being a group that doesnt take nonsense.

You guys are tough, aggressive do you wear that as a badge of honor? Not so much talking about incidents like the Tyler Herro scuffle ...

but do you embrace being a guy that opposing teams dont want to mess with? For sure.

When they call me up for a screen and the (opposing) guys like Get out, get out, we dont want him on the switch, that feels good.

(Laughs.) Im not going to lie, it feels good.

But thats our whole team.

Who do you want to call up? Tari (Eason)? Dillon (Brooks)? Alpis (Sengun) been great defensively this year.

You wanna call up Jalen? Hes been amazing! Fred? See, theres no one really to call up.

You have to pick your poison.

You mentioned two guys in Fred and Dillon that have completely changed how the Rockets are viewed.

Given that their edge over younger players like yourself is experience, whats been the difference in learning from Fred versus Dillon? I mean, theyre both really tough.

Both of them constantly stress being physical and doing the (defensive) work early.

With Fred, I learned a lot about game planning.

With Dillon, it was more about toughness, learning how to be a dog and get under peoples skin.

Im sure all of this is part of your basketball education, as well as getting in the film room.

When youre breaking your film down or with a coach, do you take written notes? Or are you more comfortable with keeping observations in the mental Rolodex? When I watch film, I dont take too many notes.

I keep a lot of mental notes in my head.

Lots of mental notes.

(Top photo: Alex Slitz / Getty Images).

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