Amen Thompson has quickly built a reputation as one of the NBA’s most promising young stars, especially on the defensive end. The Houston Rockets guard has already turned heads in just two seasons, and many believe he’s primed to be a Most Improved Player candidate next year.
But as Thompson recently revealed, even elite young defenders have to learn their lessons the hard way—just ask DeMar DeRozan.
“Welcome to the League” Moment
Thompson joined the Young Man and the Three podcast with his twin brother, Ausar Thompson, and told a story about how DeRozan embarrassed both him and Cam Whitmore.
According to Amen, the Rockets’ coaching staff—and especially Fred VanVleet, who used to play with DeRozan in Toronto—warned them repeatedly not to fall for DeRozan’s trademark pump fake.
But that’s easier said than done.
“I know myself to be a good defender, so I’m like, ‘I’m not going to jump on this pump fake. And since you told me, I’m definitely not going to jump on this pump fake,’” Amen said.
Turns out, he wasn’t so immune after all.
On Whitmore’s first possession guarding DeRozan, he bit on the pump fake. That mistake cost him $100 to VanVleet.
Then came Amen’s turn. Same play. Same pump fake. Same result. Another $100 owed to Fred.
Thompson laughed it off, calling it his “welcome to the league” moment.
“DeRozan’s different, scoring in just one spot. He doesn’t need a lot of space. You know, he’s going to hit the mid-range. He’s different with that.”
DeRozan: The Mid-Range Master
DeMar DeRozan may not have an NBA title to his name, but he’s one of the most underrated offensive players of his era. A multiple-time All-Star and All-NBA selection, DeRozan has carved out a career built on his lethal mid-range game, a shot many modern players have abandoned.
His pump fake remains one of the deadliest weapons in basketball—and as Thompson and Whitmore learned firsthand, no amount of warning can truly prepare you for it.
The Bigger Picture
Amen Thompson has drawn comparisons to Kawhi Leonard for his defensive versatility, and he’s expected to take another leap as the Rockets push toward contention. But even future stars get humbled, and for Amen, that moment came courtesy of a veteran who has made a career out of punishing defenders the same way for more than a decade.
DeRozan may not always get the credit he deserves, but as long as he’s in the league, he’ll keep reminding young players like Thompson and Whitmore: some lessons can only be learned the hard way.
