Tag: Amen Thompson

Rockets continue finding spark from rookies Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore

“I thought the young guys coming in changed the game with their defense,” Fred VanVleet says of Houston’s rookies. “They definitely gave us a big spark.”

HOUSTON — Rockets head coach Ime Udoka paced the sidelines early in Friday’s first quarter, as he watched his starting lineup replicate the same type of lethargic chemistry and execution they had displayed in a terrible 127-105 loss at New Orleans a night earlier.

The Suns, who were also playing on night two of a back-to-back, opened with an early offensive burst that made the Rockets look like they were running through mud on both ends of the floor.

Midway through the first quarter, Phoenix had taken a 16-point lead while holding Houston to just six points. Udoka had seen enough of the slow start and knew that he needed some type of energy boost to revitalize Houston’s offense, along with the Toyota Center crowd.

As he looked down the bench, he knew he had two players, rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore, who are the equivalent of human energy drinks. Upon entering, they were able to put the Suns on their heels as they got up and down the court, applying pressure by getting into the paint and making play after play.

First, it was a Thompson layup. Then, a Whitmore layup. Thompson brought the crowd to its feet with a fast-break dunk — and then, a few possessions later, Whitmore brought them out of their seats again by making a 3-pointer from 27 feet. That trimmed what had been a 22-6 deficit to 24-18, and Houston was back in the game.

It was just what Udoka and the rest of the Rockets (25-31) needed to help put them on track to a 114-110 victory over the Suns (33-24). It came as no surprise to Houston’s head coach, or the rest of the team, that the two rookies selected in the first round of the 2023 draft are starting to get acclimated to the pace of NBA games.

Thompson’s defense and offense were a big spark for Houston, as he finished the game with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Whitmore chipped in with 15 points off the bench, as well.

With forward Dillon Brooks in foul trouble for most of the game, Udoka used Thompson’s versatility by playing him frequently at small forward. It’s not that unusual for the athletic 21-year-old, who can play every position but center. Thompson matched up with superstars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker numerous times, and he even got a blocked shot on 7-foot-2 reserve forward Bol Bol.

“You can see everything starting to slow down for them,” Udoka said of Thompson and Whitmore after Wednesday’s practice. “The experiences they are starting to lean on as they go. When you are 50 games in, I don’t look at you as a rookie anymore. So, they have learned from certain things and been through it all a little bit.”

The energy and ferocity that Thompson and Whitmore brought to the game rubbed off on the starters, as they increased the tempo and continued to push the pace for the rest of the game.

“We played too slow and not aggressive starting off,” said guard Fred VanVleet, who finished as Houston’s top scorer with 23 points.

“They (Suns) were able to feel their way in and get their rhythm,” VanVleet said. “So, I thought the young guys coming in off the bench changed the game with their defense, and we got steals and stops, and we were able to play in transition. That is when we are at our best. So, they definitely gave us a big spark.”

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Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson show grit as Rockets rally past Suns

One night after struggling massively in the paint, Jabari Smith Jr. (22 points, 16 rebounds) and the Rockets flipped the script in Friday’s gritty win over Phoenix.

HOUSTON — One night after the Rockets were bullied inside in a blowout loss, second-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. responded with one of the strongest games of his career in Friday’s 114-110 win (box score) over the visiting Phoenix Suns (33-24). Houston (25-31) is now 20-9 in home games at Toyota Center this season.

Smith finished with 22 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 steals, representing the first 20-15 game of his young career. Houston, which entered with six losses in its last seven games, recovered from a 22-6 deficit in the game’s early minutes to dramatically turn the tables.

The Rockets connected on 15-of-45 shots from 3-point range (33.3%) on Friday, which proved decisive on a night in which the visiting Suns shot only 7-of-31 from distance (22.6%). Smith (3), Jalen Green (3), and Fred VanVleet (6) led Houston in 3-point makes.

Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore each scored 15 points off Houston’s bench, while Thompson added 10 rebounds in his 33 minutes. The rookie duo combined to shoot 11-of-22 overall (50.0%).

Beyond Smith and the rookies, who all contributed on both ends of the court, other standout statistical lines for the Rockets included:

  • VanVleet: 23 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds; 6-of-14 on 3-pointers (42.9%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 17 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists; 6-of-15 shooting (40.0%)
  • Green: 14 points, 4 assists; 5-of-13 shooting (38.5%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%)

Sengun hit 5-of-6 last-minute free throws (83.3%) to secure the win.

On defense, Thompson was a big factor in limiting Suns star Devin Booker to an inefficient 25 points on 7-of-24 shooting (29.2%), including 0-of-4 on 3-pointers. Kevin Durant, also an All-Star, led the visitors with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists while shooting 10-of-22 (45.5%) — though he hit just 1-of-7 from 3-point range (14.3%).

Bol Bol, a sparingly used 7-foot-3 forward, had the best game of his young career off the Phoenix bench, finishing with 25 points and 14 rebounds in 27 minutes while making 11-of-17 shots (64.7%).

Here’s our look at Friday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is a home-and-home pair of games with Oklahoma City (38-17), with the first coming Sunday in Houston. Tipoff is at 6:00 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: In loss to Pelicans, Rockets bullied inside by Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas

Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas combined for 47 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists on 64% shooting as New Orleans bullied Houston in Thursday’s blowout loss.

In their first game coming out of the NBA’s 2024 All-Star break, the Rockets (24-31) continued their road misery with Thursday’s 127-105 loss (box score) in New Orleans. Houston is 5-22 away from home this season and has lost six of its last seven, overall, while the Pelicans (34-22) won for the eighth time in nine games.

Houston’s frontcourt of Alperen Sengun, Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. struggled to offer much resistance against the bruising, physical front line of Jonas Valanciunas and Zion Williamson.

Key statistics for the Pelicans included:

  • Valanciunas: 20 points, 14 rebounds in 27 minutes; 9-of-12 shooting (75%), 2-of-2 on 3-pointers
  • Williamson: 27 points, 10 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals in 35 minutes; 12-of-21 shooting (57.1%)
  • C.J. McCollum: 28 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists in 31 minutes; 11-of-22 shooting (50%), 4-of-10 on 3-pointers (40%)

Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 20 points and 9 rebounds while shooting 6-of-9 from the field (66.7%). However, many of those statistics were tallied in the second half of a blowout, and his defense against Valanciunas left much to be desired.

On the perimeter, it was another subpar shooting night for Jalen Green, who finished with 10 points in 24 minutes while shooting 3-of-14 from the field (21.4%) and 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25%).

Rookie guard Amen Thompson was the bright spot for Houston, finishing with a career-high 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting (69.2%) and 1-of-3 from 3-point range (33.3%). The athletic 6-foot-7 reserve also stuffed the stat sheet with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks.

Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) remained sidelined for the Rockets, who have not seen their versatile second-year forward play since Jan. 1. Houston is 12-10 with Eason this season and 12-21 without him. Brandon Ingram (illness) was out for the Pelicans.

Here’s our look at Thursday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Fortunately for the Rockets, next up is Friday’s game versus Phoenix at Toyota Center, where Houston is 19-9 this season. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.

Amen Thompson electric, but Rockets continue road misery in Memphis

Rookie guard Amen Thompson (19 points, 12 rebounds, 53% FG) was outstanding, but Houston’s road misery continued versus lowly Memphis.

In their final game before the NBA’s 2024 All-Star break, the Rockets (24-30) continued their road misery with Wednesday’s 121-113 loss (box score) to the Grizzlies (19-36). Houston is 5-21 away from home this season, with the latest humiliation coming versus a lowly Memphis squad that had lost nine straight games going in.

Houston enters the break 12th in the Western Conference standings, 3 games behind Golden State in 10th, what would be the final berth of the 2024 play-in tournament.

Both teams were short-handed on Wednesday, with Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart and Brandon Clarke among the rotation players absent for Memphis. Those unavailable for the Rockets included Fred VanVleet, Tari Eason and Cam Whitmore.

Starting for VanVleet, rookie guard Amen Thompson was a bright spot for the Rockets, finishing with 19 points and 12 rebounds while shooting 9-of-17 from the field (52.9%). But backcourt mate Jalen Green was a disaster, finishing with just 4 points and 3 assists in 23 minutes while shooting 2-of-7 overall (28.6%), 0-of-4 from 3-point range, and not earning a single fourth-quarter minute.

Granted, Green was far from alone in his shooting struggles. Starting forwards Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. combined to shoot just 8-of-30 overall (26.7%) and 2-of-16 on 3-pointers (12.5%).

Alperen Sengun tallied 19 points (50% FG), 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Aaron Holiday added 19 points off the bench while making 5-of-8 from 3-point range (62.5%). Houston connected on 11-of-36 from beyond the 3-point arc as a team (30.6%), and without Holiday, that dipped to a woeful 6-of-28 from distance (21.4%).

Memphis raced to a 23-point lead midway through the first half before a furious Houston rally in the middle portions of the game gave the Rockets a two-point lead early in the fourth. But Houston couldn’t sustain that momentum, and in a familiar theme from recent weeks, the frantic rally wasn’t enough to get over the final hump.

Rookie forward GG Jackson led the Grizzlies with 20 points and 9 rebounds in only 24 minutes off the bench, making 8-of-15 shots (53.3%) and 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60%). Jaren Jackson Jr. added 18 points in 27 minutes on 3-of-6 shooting from 3-point range (50%), including a pair of big triples in the fourth to stem the tide.

Here’s our look at Wednesday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. After the All-Star break, the Rockets return to action on Feb. 22 in New Orleans. Tipoff versus the Pelicans is at 7 p.m. Central.

Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Victor Wembanyama maintains No. 1 spot after historic performance

Rookie Wire took a look at the top first-year players over the last two weeks of the 2023-24 season.

The regular season is past the trade deadline and approaching NBA All-Star Weekend, with the top players in the game set to compete in various events in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The crop of rookies continues to perform well this season, resulting in some remarkable performances of late. Led by Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Miller, Scoot Henderson and others, they have captured national attention and have been fascinating at times.

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The class will be represented in the Rising Stars game, as 11 first-year players will participate in the revamped exhibition. Including 10 sophomores, and seven players from the G League, the game will feature the top up-and-coming players.

To make sense of it all, we looked at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but to illustrate the best players week to week.

Reaction: Rockets beat Knicks before buzzer as Aaron Holiday erupts late

Aaron Holiday scored 11 clutch fourth-quarter points versus the Knicks, including the winning free throws with 0.3 seconds left, as Houston ended its losing streak.

HOUSTON — In their penultimate game before the NBA’s 2024 All-Star break, the Rockets (24-29) snapped a four-game losing streak with Monday’s dramatic 105-103 home win (box score) over the Knicks (33-21). Aaron Holiday, who scored 11 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, hit two tiebreaking free throws with 0.3 seconds left after a controversial foul was called on New York’s Jalen Brunson.

Both teams were short-handed, with the Knicks missing Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, and Isaiah Hartenstein due to injury while Houston was without Fred VanVleet, Tari Eason, and Cam Whitmore.

Brunson led the Knicks with 27 points and 7 assists, though his tying jumper with 8.3 seconds left was offset by his foul of Holiday.

It was a balanced effort for the Rockets, who were led by the best 3-point shooting night of the season from Dillon Brooks.

Key stat lines included:

  • Dillon Brooks: 23 points, 5 rebounds; 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%), 6-of-7 on 3-pointers (85.7%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 20 points, 7 rebounds; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 18 points, 6 assists, 3 blocks, 3 reboundsl 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%)
  • Jalen Green: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists; 4-of-15 shooting (26.7%), 0-of-6 on 3-pointers, 8-of-9 on free throws (88.9%)
  • Amen Thompson: 8 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals; 4-of-5 shooting (80.0%)
  • Aaron Holiday: 18 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds; 7-of-14 shooting (50.0%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)

In a game where the Rockets were out-rebounded by the larger Knicks, 51-39, the gritty defensive contributions by the likes of Holiday, Thompson, and Brooks were critical to Houston holding on.

Here’s our look at Monday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is Wednesday’s game at Memphis (18-35), where tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Central. That will be the final game before a hiatus of more than a week for the NBA’s 2024 All-Star Weekend.

Jalen Green soars to first career triple-double as Hawks clip short-handed Rockets

Jalen Green (26 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists) had his first career triple-double, but Houston’s short-handed squad couldn’t complete a rally in Atlanta.

In the finale of a frustrating four-game road trip, the short-handed Rockets led by 12 after the first quarter before running out of steam in Saturday’s 122-113 loss (box score) at Atlanta. Dejounte Murray returned from a two-game injury absence and led the Hawks (24-29) with an efficient 34 points, including 12-of-15 on free throws (80%).

As their Western Conference play-in tournament odds continue to fade, the Rockets (23-29) suffered their first four-game losing streak and are 5-20 away from home all season. In a familiar development, Houston’s late comeback bid couldn’t get over the hump despite closing the gap to five points with just over a minute left.

The Rockets, who were on the second night of a road back-to-back after losing Friday in Toronto, were down four key players due to injury: Alperen Sengun (lower back pain), Fred VanVleet (left adductor strain), Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) and Cam Whitmore (right ankle sprain). The status of those players for the next game, Monday at home versus New York, is not clear.

Given those absences, several of the remaining Rockets stepped into larger roles and fared well offensively. Standouts included:

  • Jalen Green: 26 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 turnovers; 10-of-22 shooting (45.5%), 2-of-9 on 3-pointers (22.2%)
  • Jeff Green: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 turnovers; 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), 4-of-7 on 3-pointers (57.1%)
  • Amen Thompson: 12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals; 6-of-10 shooting (60%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 14 points; 5-of-19 shooting (26.3%), 2-of-10 on 3-pointers (20%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 9 points, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks, 4 steals; 4-of-15 shooting (26.7%), 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%)
  • Aaron Holiday: 18 points, 2 assists in 22 minutes; 7-of-10 shooting, 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60%)
  • Jock Landale: Season-high 9 rebounds in 13 minutes

However, Houston often struggled to get defensive stops versus Murray and Trae Young’s high-octane Hawks. After holding Atlanta to 19 points in the first quarter, the Rockets lost intensity as the game progressed, allowing 38 points in each of the next two quarters.

Here’s our look at Saturday’s highlights and postgame interviews from Atlanta, along with reaction by media members and fans. With the road trip complete, next up for the Rockets is Monday’s game versus the Knicks (33-19), with the tip set for 7 p.m. Central.

Adding injury to insult: Rockets lose game to lowly Raptors, Cam Whitmore to ankle sprain

The Rockets are now a woeful 5-19 on the road this season, and the loss of Cam Whitmore (right ankle sprain) added injury to insult in Toronto.

On the third stop of a four-game road trip, the turnover-prone Rockets (22 total) delivered one of their worst performances of the season in Friday’s 107-104 loss (box score) at Toronto. After trailing by as many as 22 points in the third quarter, Houston’s late comeback bid came up just short, just as it did in the previous game at Indiana.

The Raptors (19-33), led by 25 points from Immanuel Quickley, dealt Houston (23-29) its fourth straight road loss.

Cam Whitmore scored 17 points in just over 17 minutes, shooting 5-of-9 overall (55.6%) and 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60.0%). But fittingly, on a night where so many things went wrong for the Rockets, Whitmore left in the second half and couldn’t continue due to a right ankle sprain — which he suffered late in the first half during a controversial no-call sequence that didn’t go Houston’s way.

The Rockets did not immediately offer a timetable for Whitmore’s return, but his availability for Saturday’s game in Atlanta — which takes place less than 24 hours from the injury — is in doubt.

For better or for worse, other notable stat lines included:

  • Dillon Brooks: 20 points, 2 blocks, 4 turnovers in 30 minutes; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 4-of-5 on 3-pointers (80.0%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 12 points, 11 rebounds in 33 minutes; 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
  • Jalen Green: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 4 turnovers in 22 minutes; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%), 1-of-5 on 3-pointers (20.0%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 7 points, 7 rebounds, 2 turnovers in 21 minutes; 3-of-7 shooting (42.9%)
  • Amen Thompson: 8 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 turnovers in 31 minutes; 4-of-5 shooting (80.0%)
  • Aaron Holiday: 12 points, 5 assists in 30 minutes; 5-of-13 shooting (38.5%), 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25.0%)
  • Jeff Green: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists in 27 minutes; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%), 1-of-6 on 3-pointers (16.7%), 4-of-5 on free throws (80.0%)

Neither Jalen Green nor Sengun were part of Houston’s closing lineup. Sengun struggled to handle Raptors big man Jakob Poeltl, who had with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 blocked shots while shooting 7-of-11 from the field (63.6%). It was a dramatic reversal from when Sengun had his way inside during last week’s meeting.

Houston routed Toronto in that Feb. 2 game, but that was at home, where the Rockets are 18-9 this season. They are a staggering 5-19 on the road, and that discrepancy is a big part of why they’ve fallen to No. 12 in the Western Conference standings, with a potential run to the play-in tournament becoming increasingly unlikely.

Another factor in their recent regression is injuries. Fred VanVleet (left adductor strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) both remained sidelined, although there is hope that each could return within the next few days. The Rockets are now 0-5 in the 2023-24 season without VanVleet and 11-18 without Eason.

Here’s our look at Friday’s highlights and postgame interviews from Toronto, along with reaction by media members and fans. As the road trip finally concludes, next up for Houston is Saturday’s game at Atlanta (22-29), where tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Central.

In close loss at Indiana, Rockets find late spark from Jalen Green, Amen Thompson

Jalen Green (30 points) and Amen Thompson (13 points, 13 rebounds) were dynamic, but Houston’s frantic comeback bid came up just short in Indiana.

On the second stop of a four-game road trip, the short-handed Houston Rockets ran out of steam in the second half in Tuesday’s 132-129 loss (box score) in Indiana. Houston (23-27) is four games below .500 for the first time in the 2023-24 NBA season.

The Rockets scored 75 points in the first half and led by as many as 10, but their shooting cooled significantly in a third quarter, which the Pacers (29-23) won by a decisive 38-24 margin. Pascal Siakam led the way with 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting (68.8%).

Led by young guards Jalen Green and Amen Thompson, the Rockets fought back valiantly but couldn’t come any closer than three points during a frantic closing sequence. Houston finished on a 25-14 run over the final seven-plus minutes, including a 10-3 burst over the last three minutes.

Standout players for the Rockets included:

  • Jalen Green: 30 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals; 12-of-20 shooting (60%), 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60%)
  • Amen Thompson: 13 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 1-of-4 on free throws (25%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 23 points, 4 assists; 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 20 points, 9 rebounds; 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 20 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists; 7-of-15 shooting (46.7%), 6-of-8 on free throws (75%)

Green has scored at least 29 points in five of eight games.

Fred VanVleet (left adductor strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) both missed the game due to injury, although there is hope that both players could return within a week or so.

Here’s our look at Tuesday’s highlights and postgame interviews from Indiana, along with reaction by media members and fans. As the road trip continues with its back half, next up for Houston is Friday’s game at Toronto (17-33), where tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Central.

Rockets assistant Ben Sullivan guides Amen Thompson’s rookie growth

“Amen [Thompson] is such a great person,” Ben Sullivan says. “He has a tremendous amount of maturity for a young person coming into this league.”

It has been an up-and-down year for Rockets rookie Amen Thompson. Over the first two months of the regular season, the 6-foot-7 guard had to learn from the sidelines while dealing with injuries and illness. He missed 19 of Houston’s first 24 games.

As a competitor, it can be challenging not to be out there competing with your teammates, especially when you were selected with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NBA draft.

Thompson’s family has frequently come to Houston this season. After all, they’ve also needed to visit his twin brother and best friend, Ausar — selected one pick after Amen — during Ausar’s rookie season with the Detroit Pistons. Even for a 21-year-old basketball phenom, that upheaval can make life complicated.

That is why it was vital for Thompson to get back on the court while providing that spark needed for Houston’s second unit, which he often shares with fellow rookie Cam Whitmore.

One individual who has been there for Thompson every step of the way — first, by pushing him to the limit during rehabilitation with conditioning drills, and now by finding different ways to make him more effective on the court — is assistant coach Ben Sullivan.

“I know you are tired, but if you want to get back on the court, you have to push through it,” Sullivan’s voice recently bellowed out to Thompson, who was fighting the last symptoms of an upper respiratory infection at the time. “You can get the rest you need when we are done, but if you rest now, you are quitting on yourself.”

Thompson took the instructions without any pushback, knowing Sullivan has his best interests at heart. They’ve developed trust in each other since starting a working relationship at the NBA’s 2023 summer league in Las Vegas, where Sullivan led Houston to the title game despite losing Thompson to an ankle sprain in the opener.

The two converse about everything and are working tirelessly, on and off the court, as Thompson develops into an explosive playmaker and reliable backup for starter Fred VanVleet.

“I learn a lot from Ben,” Thompson said recently following a rigorous post-practice session with Sullivan. “Ben is my twin. He is teaching me a lot with my shot, but other aspects, too. Getting to the rim, using my body, and using my strength more than I am doing.”

On Jan. 21, Thompson received his first start versus Boston when head coach Ime Udoka decided to rest VanVleet in the second game of a back-to-back. Sullivan ensured Thompson was prepared to run the starting unit. Although Houston lost the game, Thompson finished with a career-high in points (15) and rebounds (14).

Thompson eclipsed that point total last Friday by scoring a career-high 19 in a blowout win against the Toronto Raptors.

“Amen is such a great person,” Sullivan told Rockets Wire. “He has a tremendous amount of maturity for a young person coming into this league. He has a great work ethic, a high care factor, and is very competitive. When you combine all of those things together, it is like a great recipe for success when you are starting out. I am lucky and blessed to be working with him, and that is the starting point.”

Player development is a skill Sullivan learned early on in his days with the San Antonio Spurs, where he worked under an all-time great coach, Gregg Popovich. Sullivan gives much of the credit for his ability to teach players to current Oklahoma City assistant coach Chip Engelland, who spent 16 seasons on that staff with the Spurs.

“I was fortunate enough to shadow and learn from some amazing coaches,” Sullivan told Rockets Wire in an exclusive conversation. “I learned from Chip and Chad Forcier (Utah assistant) on a day-to-day basis on how you handle things. A lot of times with these players, especially young guys, they come in, and they are 19 and 20 years old, and they have so much room to grow.”

Udoka was a part of that staff and noticed the work ethic and commitment to his job. It was a friendship that paid off; he has been a part of Udoka’s staff in Boston and now Houston.

“Ben has worked with some guys over the years like Giannis (Antetokounmpo, in Milwaukee) and different guys who have wanted to improve their shooting,” Udoka said regarding the importance of having Sullivan work to improve Thompson’s shot.

“You can see that bond growing between them, and that is what we want our assistants to do,” Udoka added. “I hired certain guys for the relationship aspect. You have some specific bonds with guys, and they have hit it off really well. It will be good for him (Thompson), going forward in the future. The shooting piece was the initial, but they have found their own side relationship, which has been good.”

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