“And with the fourth pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets select …”

Fourth? This dude fell to number four? Excluding the standout 7', 5" performer in San Antonio, Amen Thompson is making a clear statement as being unmatched in the 2023 NBA Draft debate.

The Houston Rockets have been on a roll, recently defeating the Golden State Warriors 106-96 in San Francisco. With this win, they secured home-court advantage in the first round and are just one game away from clinching the No. 2 seed. The Rockets forced 20 turnovers and shot over 48 percent from the field, marking their second consecutive win over a top-tier team after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder.

A key factor in these victories has been the Rockets’ impressive lockdown defense, particularly against star players. They held Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to just 12 points in the final three quarters and limited Steph Curry to his lowest career point total with over 30 minutes played. Amen Thompson played a crucial role in both games.

Initially seen as a player who would need time to shine, Thompson quickly made an impact, especially after Alperen Sengun’s injury in March 2024. He emerged as one of the Rockets’ best paint scorers and defenders, capable of guarding positions from point guard to center.

Despite his outstanding performance, Thompson has flown under the radar in discussions for Defensive Player of the Year. However, his recent defensive efforts against elite players like Curry and Gilgeous-Alexander should change that perception. With All-Star guards shooting only 40.7 percent against him, Thompson consistently proves he’s among the league’s top defenders and deserves recognition for the Defensive Player of the Year award.