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Ime Udoka reacts to Amen Thompson’s final performance as the Rockets point guard

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Ime Udoka reacts to Amen Thompson’s final performance as the Rockets point guard

With veteran Fred VanVleet sitting out for rest, Houston Rockets second-year prospect Amen Thompson started at point guard in Wednesday’s preseason win at Oklahoma City.

It was at least a bit of a transition for Thompson, who was drafted in the first round in 2023 as a point guard before playing much of his 2023-24 rookie season in the frontcourt. At 6-foot-7 and 215 pounds, Thompson is athletic and long enough to play multiple positions, and Houston had a vacant starting spot on its front line in early March after losing Alperen Sengun to an ankle injury that the season ended.

But while Thompson largely flourished in that frontcourt role, especially as a defender and as an off-ball threat on offense, he still has enough ball-handling skills, vision and versatility to play in the backcourt .

At the team’s practice on Friday, head coach Ime Udoka was asked about the differences between Thompson as a point guard, as well as his thoughts on how the 21-year-old, who finished with 8 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 0 turnovers. in 27 minutes, usefully evaluated in Oklahoma City.

Udoka replied:

The thought, that’s a big part. Now you’re starting for everyone, instead of being off the ball and just playing. Nothing changes as far as him rebounding and pushing and the transition stuff. But being the floor general and having to put guys in seats off dead balls, or markers, or free throws, that’s a little different thought process. You have to put the boys in their place.

We talked today, he has to know all the positions. Be a base, but can also play with two, three or four. For him, it’s just slowing down a little bit when he’s not in transition and understanding the shots we want to make for certain guys.

With VanVleet likely back in his usual starting role, Thompson and the Rockets will resume preseason play with next Tuesday’s home game against New Orleans. The Toyota Center office is at 7:00 PM in Central.

Houston is now 1-1 in its four-game exhibition slate.

More: Entering his second NBA season, Amen Thompson embraces the physicality of the Rockets

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Ime Udoka reacts to Amen Thompson’s new introduction as Rockets point guard

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