The announcement of the NBA's 2024-25 All-Defense team Thursday afternoon confirmed what Houston Rockets players and coaches emphasized throughout the 2024-25 season: Amen Thompson is one of the best defensive players in the entire sport.
Thompson, 22, earned a First-Team All-Defense nod Thursday, capping off a fantastic second NBA season. Houston's 6-foot-9 Swiss Army Knife defended small point guards, lengthy wings, and sturdy big men throughout the Rockets' 50-win campaign, averaging 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. Statistics do not fully capture Thompson's defensive excellence. Turn on any Houston broadcast this season, and Thompson's impact is evident in every defensive possession.