Amen Thompson does something nobody else in the NBA can do

The Houston Rockets have a lot of belief in Amen Thompson. Why wouldn't they? His twitchy athleticism puts him in an exclusive club: Thompson is one of one.

That happens to align with the Rockets' vision of their future. Defense has obviously been named a priority in Space City. Hiring Ime Udoka solidified a direction that already made sense given the talent on the Rockets' roster.

Think about it. Houston signed Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks as soon as the money became available. They drafted Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason. It seems evident that the organization insisted on defensive improvement from Alperen Sengun. That's all great, but Thompson is in a class of his own.

Lately, he's been getting his flowers.

Rockets' Amen Thompson named one of the league's best defenders

The Game Theory Podcast just named Thompson the third-best defender in the NBA.

"He can guard 1s, we saw him play the 5 for a stretch there as a rookie, he's the twitchiest player in the NBA athletically."

- Sam Vecenie, Game Theory Podcast

Vecenie calls Thompson "the most switchable, destructive havoc defender" in the league. According to the guys, only Draymond Green and Victor Wembanyama stand ahead of Thompson.

In 2025-26, that should change. Green is past his prime, while Thompson is still coming into his. He's likely to be the second-best defender in the NBA next year. Wembanyama has length that can't be taught:

Although Thompson has his share of natural gifts as well.

Rockets' Amen Thompson is a special athlete

There's plenty of discussion about outlier traits in basketball. We're talking about players who have athletic abilities that stand out. Sometimes, the word "outlier" is used too liberally:

But that isn't the case with Thompson.

He's legitimately the twitchiest athlete in the NBA. That gives Thompson a plethora of advantages. He's a one-man fastbreak and can get to the rim offensively even when defenses don't respect his jumper.

Yet, the biggest advantages come on the defensive end. In half-court sets, Thompson can guard across positions. At 6'7", he can handle bigs, but his elite twitchiness allows him to guard wings and guards as well.

The Rockets can deploy Thompson on a team's best player. Alternatively, they can stash him on a weaker player and allow him to roam. Thompson's primary responsibility can be either to stop an opposing player or create havoc in passing lanes. His incredibly dynamic athleticism makes him among the most versatile defenders in the NBA.

Luckily, the Rockets know what's in front of their eyes - even if it's practically unbelievable.