Amen Thompson considers Jalen Green unguardable, unless the two are going at each other.
“You see what Jalen did tonight? Unguarable,” Thompson said Monday night. “Unless it’s me, tell him that.”
Green earned his teammate’s praise after erupting to tie his career-high with 42 points in a thrilling 120-118 victory for the Houston Rockets against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Green was unconscious on Monday night to the tune of 13-of-18 shooting, including 5-of-6 beyond the arc and a perfect 11-of-11 from the charity stripe.
Beating the Grizzlies twice in a row has helped reassert Houston’s position as the second seed in the West, now two games ahead of Memphis.
Amen Thompson calls Jalen Green “unguardable….unless it’s me…tell him that.” 🤣😂 #Rockets pic.twitter.com/GhJmVZU9W6
— Don Dougan (@don_dougan) January 14, 2025
Is Thompson Speaking Facts?
While Green is certainly capable of having incredible scoring nights like he did Monday night, they don’t come consistently enough.
On the season, Green is averaging 21 points per game while shooting 49.9 percent on twos and 34.5 percent on threes. His true shooting percentage of 55.3 percent is well below the 60 percent mark that’s usually considered the benchmark for being considered a great scorer in the modern game. Although, he’s trended upward lately, averaging 30 points on 65 percent true shooting in six games this month.
So, when Thompson says he can probably have success defending Green, he’s probably right to believe in his all-world defensive skills.
What Thompson is probably alluding to is when Green has it going like this, he has so many different moves and areas of the floor he can score from that can make him a nightmare matchup.
Thompson Is Breaking Out
In his second season, Thompson is averaging 12.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks.
Stepping into a bigger role amid Jabari Smith Jr.’s absence (fractured left hand), Thompson is putting up 18.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks in four January games thus far. On the year, he’s averaging 17.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.2 blocks in nine starts.
The 21-year-old was immense in the win over Memphis, finishing with 19 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals and five(!) blocks.
With both Green and Thompson looking in red hot form, it would definitely be fun to watch the two of them go 1-on-1 in practice.
