Amen Thompson debuts as summer Rockets make big impression

Rookie point guard Amen Thompson was extremely impressive in his Houston debut, and second-year Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. scored 29 second-half points and drilled a buzzer-beating 3-pointer for a feel-good victory to open 2023 summer league play.That’s the good news from Friday night, which also included a strong two-way performance by Tari Eason. The bad was that Thompson sprained his ankle late in the game and will not officially play for the Rockets again until 2023-24 preseason games start in October.Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Rockets finally made official all of their complicated acquisitions and departures from the opening days of 2023 free agency while also learning their five group opponents in the NBA’s new in-season tournament, which debuts this fall.With that in mind, Rockets podcasters Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break down the positives and negatives from a busy weekend as part of their latest episode.Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.