The Houston Rocket was considered a strong Western Conference candidate before the season began.
But they received catastrophic news a month before the tip-off when starter point guard Fred Van Vriet was seriously injured and put him aside throughout the season.
The injury represents a major loss for Rocket as there is a lack of players like VanVriet able to handle playmaking liability.
Aaron Holiday and Reed Shepherd are options available, but neither of them have the experience to act as a major point guard.
NBA insider Tim Bontemps believes that Amen Thompson could handle rocket ball handling duties and earn All-Star recognition in his expanded role.
Thompson is of course a forward, but he ranked third in the team for assists per game last season, keeping track of Vanbeat and Alperensengun.
“Obviously, it’s really bad news for both Fred and the Rockets. Fred Vanvriet suffers this injury and will likely miss the season,” explained Bontemps.
“I think this injury will mean that Amen Thompson will create an All-Star team, probably because he’s always trying to get the ball.”
“Frankly, if they enter the season with something other than ‘we’re going to give the ball to Amen Thompson and he’s going to run the team’, I’ll be unsure,” he added.
Thompson averaged 3.8 assists per game along 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 steel last season, earning All-NBA defensive first-team honors.
Major Area Thompsons need to be improved as ball security is included in their primary ball handlers. He averaged 2.0 turnovers per game last season.
If Thompson is keeping double-digit scoring production, or if he’s increasing it as planned, he could actually win All-Star consideration in his expanded roles, while improving his turnover rate.
His presence will also benefit young players like Shepherd.
“I think putting Reed Shepherd as a point guard to start the season puts too much pressure on him,” Bontemps said.
Thompson’s combination of defensive excellence, versatile scoring ability, and development of playmaking skills can raise his individual perceptions to an All-Star level, while also positioning him as Houston’s best option to replace VanVriet’s production.