Rockets Future Star Is Rising Fast In Houston

The Houston Rockets are following up last season’s overachieving run with another fantastic one; however, overachieving is no longer the right word. Houston is for real, and they’re in the upper echelon of the Western Conference by no accident or turn of luck. After a brief struggle last month, Houston has turned it back on and are back in second place where they’ve spent much of the season. The talent in Houston is undeniable, and the Rockets have a future star in Amen Thompson, among others, who is excelling rapidly. According to The Hoop Collective’s Tim Bontemps, Thompson is drawing comparisons to a former Rockets player from within the organization.

Rockets Future Star Is Rising Fast In Houston

Houston Rockets Star Amen Thompson Draws Russell Westbrook Comparison

The Rockets have no shortage of youth, talent, and potential. Jalen Green, Tari Eason, Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr., Cam Whitmore, and Thompson make up a large chunk of Houston’s rotation. Included with them are veterans Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet. Aside from them and Steven Adams, there is an abundance of youth in Houston, and the franchise is on the right trajectory because of it. No matter how this season ends, either an early playoff exit or a surprise trip to the conference finals, the Rockets have options in the offseason. They can either bunker down with their young core and see how far they can run, or use their many assets and go after a veteran superstar via trade or other means.

Significant Jump From Rookie to Sophomore

With the bevy of talent the Rockets possess, you can’t help but look at the emergence of Thompson, one-half of the brother-duo in the league. Ausar Thompson is starring with the Detroit Pistons. Amen is in his second year, and the jump from his rookie campaign to his sophomore one has been massive. This season, he’s averaging 14.0 PPG, 8.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists. His numbers are all up on last season’s, specifically the points. He averaged 9.5 points last year. Thompson’s fit with Houston’s future plans appears to look positive. To the extent that Bontemps heard directly from someone within the organization, Thompson’s potential looks similar to what Russell Westbrook looked like at his peak.

“A lot of this is like, ‘Hey, is that star potentially already on the roster? Is that number one guy that they can build around, the kind of guy you need to be able to contend for a championship? Is that on the roster?’” Bontemps said, and continued to speak on Thompson [13:10 mark], “Somebody there [In Houston] asked me about Amen Thompson, who obviously, he’s going to be a star. Can he be that offensive engine? They said, ‘Tell me what Russell Westbrook at his peak could do that this kid doesn’t have a chance to do.’ It’s an interesting question.”

Keep the Future Intact Or Sacrifice For An Established Superstar?

There is a connection between Houston and Kevin Durant. The Rockets have reportedly been interested in pursuing the two-time champion, and it could heat up this summer. Durant is widely expected to exit the Phoenix Suns, and Houston could be a destination. The catch is that Houston would have to let go of some talent. Who that would be is another conversation, but the group we’re watching now wouldn’t be the same group if Durant came to Houston.

This is all hypothetical, of course, because Houston also has good reason not to make any significant moves, like moving on Durant or someone else. That’s offseason talk, though. For now, the Rockets are itching to get some true playoff experience, and they’re well on their way to accomplishing that.