Basketball Player Amen Thompson Wins Stephen Curry's Praise Following Remarkable Playoff Series
The Houston Rockets' miserable end to their season continued with a 103-89 Game 7 loss to the relentless Golden State Warriors. Stephen Curry put on a dazzling second-half show, but the real star was Amen Thompson, who led the Rockets with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. Thompson's impressive performance left even Curry praising the young man.
In the post-game, Curry approached Thompson, sharing a few words, as reported by 95.7 The Game's X, formerly Twitter.
Stephen Curry came close to a triple-double (22 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists), notching 2 steals and 2 blocks in the process. However, it was Buddy Hield who stole the show, scoring 33 points on an insane 12-of-15 attempts, including a ridiculous 9-of-11 from deep. Jimmy Butler wasn't far behind, tallying 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Alperen Sengun contributed 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists, Fred VanVleet chipped in 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals, and Thompson also picked up a steal and a block.
Thompson's outstanding Game 7 left an indelible impression on the Rockets as they head into the offseason. Kendrick Perkins, ESPN analyst, emphasized that Thompson should be "untouchable" in terms of any potential trades this summer. According to Perkins, "That young man [Thompson] is Special."
Some are already proclaiming Thompson as the Rockets' franchise player ahead of a crucial offseason for the team.
Ranking Trade Options for the Rockets Post-Warriors Dust-Up
With the loss to the Warriors in the first round, the Rockets are aggressively seeking upgrades to propel them into title contention during the offseason. But is Amen Thompson negotiable in the trade process? According to sources, Thompson's stock is currently high, making him a valuable asset for the Rockets moving forward.
Ime Udoka's Radical Take on Game 7 Loss
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka fingers the pressure as the culprit for his team's collapse during Game 7. The Warriors got off to a quick start in the first half, putting the Rockets on their heels, ultimately taking the win.
After the game, Udoka reflected on the team's growth throughout the 2024-25 season, even as they hinted at further improvements to ensure a consistent and competitive performance next year. "You look at the big picture and the growth that we made, we just said no moral victories or whatever, we could be much more consistent, but getting to the two seed, and 50 whatever wins, and the growth the guys have shown, kind of have a blueprint for whatever we want to be," Udoka stated. "And the standard on a year-to-year basis. But all of that doesn't really matter when you go out with a chance to move on, obviously, and advance, and kind of lay an egg in our last game. It's going to sting for a minute."
This offseason, fans can expect the Rockets to be in the thick of trade talks, aiming to acquire top-tier talent that meshes well with the team's young core. Upgrades on both offense and defense will be crucial to raising the team's competitiveness and solidifying their status among the elite teams in the league.
In the aftermath of the Game 7 loss, the NBA offseason now sees the Houston Rockets actively pursuing trade opportunities to boost their roster and challenge for the title next season. Ime Udoka, despite the disappointment of the Warriors defeat, remains optimistic about the team's growth during the 2024-25 season, highlighting the potential for further improvement. The standout performance by Amen Thompson in Game 7, however, has raised speculation about his trade value, leaving the Rockets with a difficult decision on whether to negotiate his future with other teams.
