The Houston Rockets are navigating a season of adjustments, and perhaps no player exemplifies this adaptability more than Amen Thompson. Thrust into the role of starting point guard due to Fred VanVleet’s injury, the versatile wing has turned to film study to refine his game, finding inspiration in one of the NBA’s most cerebral playmakers: Rajon Rondo.
Houston Rockets Amen Thompson Learning From The Greats
Amen Thompson, typically a slashing wing known for his elite athleticism and defense, has been candid about the challenges and learning curve of running an NBA offense. In a recent interview, he revealed that he has been extensively studying film of Rajon Rondo to understand how to control a game without relying heavily on a jump shot—a trait both players share early in their careers.
“I started watching Rondo and was like, ‘Yo, this man is nice,’” Thompson told NBA analyst Marc Spears. “I knew he was nice, but I didn’t know he was that nice. But I started watching a lot of him because of the way he impacts the game while they are letting him shoot, but he still gets to where he wants and distributes and grabs 20 rebounds at 6-foot-2.”
Rondo, a four-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion, was renowned for his high basketball IQ, elite passing vision, and rebounding ability despite his size. For a 6-foot-7 athlete like Thompson, studying Rondo offers a blueprint on how to manipulate defenses, find open teammates, and dominate a game through sheer feel and intelligence rather than scoring volume alone.
A New Role for a Versatile Talent
While Thompson played point guard during his time with Overtime Elite, the transition to running an NBA team is a significant leap. His natural strengths—cutting, transition play, and lockdown defense—are undeniable, but the nuances of setting up half-court offenses and reading complex defensive schemes require a different level of polish.
Defenses often sag off Thompson to clutter the paint, daring him to shoot from deep. By studying Rondo, who faced similar defensive coverages throughout his career, Thompson is learning how to use that space to his advantage—attacking angles, creating passing lanes, and crashing the glass.
Studying the Greats
Rondo isn’t the only legend on Thompson’s playlist. The young Rocket noted that he has also been watching tape of Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, John Wall, and LeBron James. This diverse curriculum of playmaking styles highlights Thompson’s commitment to evolving his game. From Paul’s pick-and-roll mastery to Westbrook’s relentless downhill aggression, Thompson is looking to synthesize elements from the game’s best floor generals.
As the Rockets continue their season, Thompson’s development at the point guard position remains a critical storyline. If he can channel even a fraction of Rondo’s court generalship to pair with his own elite physical tools, Houston may have unlocked a unique and dangerous weapon for their future backcourt.
