Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson admitted he cannot stand the Golden State Warriors, tracing the feeling back to his days as a devoted LeBron James supporter.
Speaking alongside his twin brother Ausar on “The Young Man and the Three” podcast, the 22-year-old recalled switching allegiances once James began facing the Warriors in the NBA Finals.
“I was a LeBron fan,” Thompson said. “I actually liked the Warriors until they had to start playing LeBron. Then I’m like, OK, now I hate the Warriors.”
The roots of a rivalry
James’ Cleveland Cavaliers met Golden State in four straight Finals from 2015 through 2018. After James joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019, the matchup continued in the 2021 Play-In Tournament and the 2023 Western Conference semifinals.
Rapid rise on defense
Thompson’s comments come after a breakout second NBA season in which he earned First Team All-Defense honors and finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. His play helped Houston secure the Western Conference’s second-best record, though the Rockets were eliminated by the Warriors in the opening round.
Comparisons to his childhood hero
The 6-foot-7 wing has drawn modest stylistic comparisons to James thanks to elite athleticism, playmaking flashes and tenacious one-on-one defense. While not as polished offensively, Thompson’s early production suggests ample room for growth.
James rules out coaching
Now preparing for his 23rd NBA season and the final year of his current Lakers contract, the 39-year-old James recently said he has no interest in pursuing a coaching career once he retires.
Source: Lakers Nation
