Most of us have never seen a player like Amen Thompson before. So when Kevin Durant said that he's never played with someone who possesses Amen's combination of size and athleticism... he's not lying. At Rockets media day on Monday, Durant discussed what he's looking forward to about playing with Thompson, and I have to warn you, it will make Rockets fans dizzy:
"Unique skill sets, body types that I haven't played with before. Amen being just a, do-everything, 6'7, athletic, just like a freak of nature... I don't think we've ever seen that type of athleticism and the way he uses his athleticism... I don't think we've seen that in our league, so to be alongside that, I mean, I'm excited for it..."
Kevin Durant talks playing Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun
β ππ΅πΆπ―π―π’β (@Stunna999_) September 29, 2025
βYea just unique skills and body types that I havenβt played with before um Amen just being a do it all 6β7 just a freak of natureβ¦I played with some great bigs that was good in they role but Alp can do it allβ π pic.twitter.com/foSkYbDKVg
I agree. I agree wholeheartedly, Kevin.
Durant has obviously played with some of the greatest basketball talents of all time, so for his praise of Thompson to be this effusive is exciting. KD is just like all of us... he gets really excited talking about Amen Thompson. A man of the people, really.
Durant and Thompson still give Rockets fans plenty to get excited about
The FVV injury last week was about as big of a bummer as possible for Rockets fans. It completely shifted the energy heading into what was shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons in Rockets history.
But there's still plenty to get excited about, and watching two wholly unique players share the court is one of them. Durant talked about how there probably hasn't ever been a player like Thompson in the NBA. He's right. There's also never been a player like him in the league. The Rockets will play two of the most unique players in basketball history side by side starting next month... and that's pretty dang cool.
Thompson, coming off a season in which he averaged 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.4 steals, is a clear candidate to win Most Improved Player and stamp himself as a true star in this league. Durant is on the other end of his basketball journey, still massively productive but definitely starting to wind down an illustrious career. It's not a clear "passing of the torch" scenario, especially with how different they are as players, but the mixing of the young star and the veteran will be must-see TV nonetheless. KD's excited, I'm excited... everyone's excited!