Offensive efficiency has declined and defensive contribution has decreased. Should the Rockets really let Amen serve as point guard?

In a previous NBA Cup game, the Houston Rockets, playing at home, defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 140-116. After this game, the Rockets, who have won three consecutive victories, have improved their record to 8 wins and 3 losses, and their ranking has risen to second place in the Western Conference; while the Trail Blazers, who have lost three of the last four games, have dropped to 6 wins and 6 losses, and their ranking has also dropped to ninth place in the Western Conference.

Although the Rockets won a big victory in this game, the performance of the team's starting point guard Amen Thompson was actually not ideal. Amen played for 32 minutes and 27 seconds, shooting 6 of 17, 0 of 4 from beyond the three-point line, and 7 of 7 free throws. He scored 19 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. He also had 1 foul and a plus-minus of +24. Amen's finishing ability on the offensive end is very average, his scoring ability is not well reflected, his outside shooting has no aim, and his offensive efficiency is not ideal. In addition, he did not show particularly outstanding talents in passing and organization. Amen performed well on the defensive end, but he did not show his own characteristics on the offensive end. Obviously, the team's victory had nothing to do with his performance.

In the NBA regular season last season, Amen was affected by injuries in 82 games and played a total of 69 times. The average playing time reached 32.2 minutes per game, and the average data per game was 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.3 blocks, 2 turnovers and 2.4 fouls. The shooting percentage was 55.7%, the three-point shooting percentage was 27.5%, and the free throw percentage was 68.4%. In the playoffs, Amen played a total of 7 times, averaging 33 minutes per game. He averaged 15.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game. He also had 1.7 turnovers and 2.6 fouls. He shot 49.4% from the field, 25% from the three-point range, and 69.4% from the free throw line. Since the start of this season, Amen has averaged 35.2 minutes per game in the first 11 games, averaging 17.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. He also has 2.4 turnovers and 2.3 fouls. His shooting percentage is 48.4%, three-point shooting percentage is 21.4%, and free throw percentage is 74%.

Amen's statistics have indeed improved a lot this season, but this is actually closely related to his increase in playing time and ball rights to a large extent. Judging from the actual situation, Amen's offensive efficiency and three-point shooting percentage have declined significantly. His finishing ability at the basket and outside shooting ability have not been significantly improved, and his progress in passing and organization is actually relatively limited. Not only that, Amen's role on the defensive end seems to be less prominent than last season, and his energy on the defensive end is not as good as last season. So at least so far, we still have reason to believe that Amen is not suitable for the position of starting point guard, or that the position of starting point guard restricts Amen's explosion.