Exclusive All things Amen Thompson

https://megaphone.link/NSM8207712129

Amen talk starts at 44:05, followed by a really good discussion on his fit with the Blazers at 54:15.

 

Via Reddit’s nba draft sub:

• “Amen is an open court player. Shooting 85% in transition is insane. Comparing that stat with other prospects may be unfair but extreme numbers almost always tell something special about a player for better or worse. FWIW, John Wall in college shot 77% in transition and 40% in halfcourt (via DX) but his halfcourt struggles pre-draft didn't stop him from becoming a great player in the league. Ja shot 71% at the rim in transition and only shot 52% at the rim in halfcourt but still turn out to be a great player because of his elite playmaking and ability to get to the rim every time on the court. I believe in Amen's upside

 

Problem is that 85% is against a bunch of 16 year old high school sophomores he was 4 years older than. I'd probably score 100% against middle schoolers. So Amen stats can't be compared to other prospects way higher level college stats such as Wall.

Amen has upside for sure, it's just difficult to analyze his performance.

 

Amen played against pro teams in Europe and did just as well against them

 

Good point. Do we have stats for that?

 

This keeps getting repeated, but it is not really true.

The vast majority of the players in OTE are 18. Some are 17, some are 19. Thompson twins are on the older side at being 20. You can look at the ages of each of the players here: https://overtimeelite.com/players

Portland drafted Simons directly out of the IMG Academy. I would argue that the OTE has a better overall talent level than what Simons was playing against...

Point being, you have to take the league they are playing into account - but you have to judge a player on their skill level.

 

Good points.

However, the Blazers drafted Simons with pick #24, its very different with both twins projected as a top7 pick or even some saying to take Amen at #3.

The other prospects are stellar options in that range. At pick #24 the alternatives choices had a fraction of this potential.

 

Against Mega MIS, amen had 18 point, 9 assist, 9 rebound, 5 steal, 4 block, and 3 turnover. He did go 5-14 with 0-4 on 3 point shot. He made up for it by going 8 for 8 on free throws. If you watch the tape, he easily could’ve scored more if he didn’t try to be fancy with his layups. But otherwise a stellar all around performance.

 

Great conversation. I'm going to post this in the other thread too since they talk about Whitmore, Thompson, Scoot and Miller.

 

Danny Leroux points out the volume of reps that Amen and Ausar Thompson got making quick decisions was made possible by playing with OTE because of how fast they play.
https://megaphone.link/NSM8207712129 49:22

 

The Blazers guys were smiling ear to ear after working out the Thompson twins. Move some stuff around and the Blazers have a chance to draft them both?

 

What you mean by blazers guys?

 

The workout team, behind the scenes coaches. Mike Schmitz was gleaming! It's fun chilling with some of this summer's best incoming talent. It's an NBA scout dream come true.

 

Oh you’re an nba scout?

 

Amen + Sharpe would be a fun backcourt duo to watch…

 

Blazers would have to get at least Orlandos #6 pick. Not sure how they do that; Ant 23 and probably like 2 future unprotected picks? Maybe more?

Dame
Ausar Amen
Sharpe
Grant
Nurk

If the twins hit their potential the Blazers are probably a dynasty. If they are busts than the franchise is screwed.

 

Dame says no, so who cares?

 

This part is very interesting to me where they talk about Amen Thompson playing with the Trail Blazers, specifically Dame and Shaedon Sharpe.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5vjqZjFPf2nrpHRU2D6d7N

52:20 - Thompson Twins and their potential with Dame and Sharpe
"I think they're going to force some of those (defensive) choices.
Even if they're not perfect on ball, the *possibility* that you have to put your best wing on them is just so juicy.
If you play small on him, the world is just so open for him, in terms of his vision. He can see over that primary defender. You really do have to guard them a little bit bigger.
The possibility of playing him alongside another dominant player as the screener. Because if you can get Amen in a 4-on-3, it's game over.
And that's the reason why, if he's available, if you can play him with Lillard. And you do, let's call it 1-3 (PG/SF) , or 3-1, there isn't really a counter. There isn't something that you can necessarily do there. And, the Thompson Twins both have the frame to set credible screens. And if you do that, and they double Dame, and he can get the ball to Amen, which he can, then you can put a lot of different kinds of talent around that and it's going to work. *Including* Shaedon Sharpe. Play finisher, breaking in from the wings. Jerami Grant would look great in that kind of a system.
OK, All of those things you said about Damian Lillard, long term, 1-3 ball screens with Thompson, you could say all of that with 2-3 screens with Lillard on the weak side. All that works the same. YUP! It does.
Can imagine 2-3 ball screens with Sharpe and Amen? Or 3-2 ball screens?
Unless you have two elite athlete perimeter defenders, good luck."

 

I think fun would be an understatement.

 

Didnt they do the same with the Duren workout? Even Casey and Brooke made such a fuss on their podcast about how awesome he was.