ESPN endorses Rockets rising star Amen Thompson for yet another accolade

As the Houston Rockets attempt to enter championship contention with superstar-caliber scorer Kevin Durant on the roster, it is, ultimately, the success of their young core that will decide their fate.

Specifically, young guard Amen Thompson must take another massive leap this season, cementing his status as one of the most dynamic two-way players in the league, and, according to ESPN's early predictions, he could earn his first nod to the All-Star Game if he is able to do so.

Not only would this be an impressive accolade for Thompson to earn in just his third season in the NBA, it would also signify a step forward in his game that could make the Rockets one of the most dangerous teams in the league.

Amen Thompson must lean into his offensive game in order to become the star the team needs him to be

Last season, as Thompson ascended to the starting lineup in the absence of Jabari Smith Jr., he quickly became one of the league's most exciting young players, averaging 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists while garnering buzz for Defensive Player of the Year and earning his first nod to the All-Defensive Team.

Yet, this season, the demands upon Thompson are decidedly different. In the absence of Fred VanVleet, he has been tasked with taking over the starting point guard role for Houston, and, so far, he has looked capable of doing so.

Through the team's first six games, he has averaged 17 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 50% from the field, and Kevin Pelton at ESPN believes that, if his scoring numbers can continue to increase, he could be a sneaky pick for the American team at the upcoming All-Star Game.

His performance against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night details a clear recipe for this to happen. Across 39 minutes on the court, Thompson led the team in scoring with 27 points while also posting five rebounds and four assists. He was easily the most impactful player of the game, and, as the season carries on, it is quite possible that this could be a frequent occurrence.

Thompson does not need to score 27 points on a nightly basis in order for the Rockets to compete. Yet, if he is able to bring his scoring average closer to 20, this would represent a leap that could define the team's season.

If Houston is still viewed as one of the league's premier offensive teams by the time that All Stars are selected, and Thompson is still at the helm of this offense, he would be an easy selection. Yet, as great as these accolades are, they are ultimately not the most important thing.

If Thompson becomes a dynamic and reliable enough offensive player to reach the All Star Game, this Rockets team will be truly, truly dangerous.