Why Amen Thompson “Hated” the Golden State Warriors Growing Up
Despite growing up in the Bay Area, Houston Rockets star Amen Thompson, also known as the twin brother of Detroit Pistons star Ausar Thompson, hated the Golden State Warriors. The Thompson twins, both 22, were born in Oakland and raised in San Leandro. Here’s why Amen didn’t grow up as a Warriors fan.
Amen Thompson “Hated” Golden State Warriors
Amen was born in Oakland in 2003 and raised in San Leandro until 2016 before moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to play high school basketball at the Pine Crest Academy. However, Amen surprisingly didn’t grow up as a fan of the dynastic Golden State Warriors. On the latest episode of “The Young Man and The Three” podcast, Amen and Ausar Thompson were asked if they grew up as Warriors fans. The Thompson twins said in unison, “No, no.”
“I was a LeBron [James] fan, not going to lie,” Amen explained. I actually liked the Warriors until they had to start playing LeBron, and then I’m like, ‘OK, now I hate the Warriors.'”
Amen’s disdain for the Warriors led to the Warriors’ championship — and playoff — wrath. Amen likely suffered heartbreak when the Warriors defeated James, now 40, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, along with the Warriors’ seven-game, first-round defeat of the Houston Rockets in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Despite not rooting for the hometown NBA team, the Thompson twins supported other Bay Area teams. “In every other sport besides basketball growing up, I had my team, though,” Ausar said. “Because basketball, I think I cared about it more, so I saw a player I liked, I’m like, ‘This is my player.’ But I was a Raiders fan my whole life. I’m not an A’s fan anymore, because everybody keeps leaving. Now I’m a Giants fan, but I was a Raiders and A’s fan my whole life.”
Amen Thompson’s Outlook
Amen’s outlook entering the 2025-26 NBA season appears to be bright. Now teammates with former Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant, Thompson hopes to start a dynasty of his own in Houston. Last season, Amen averaged 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, while shooting 55.7% from the field. His presence can help the Rockets continue to succeed, thanks to his athleticism, versatility, and playmaking ability.
Final Thoughts
Amen Thompson isn’t a Golden State Warriors fan at all. Thompson called out the annoying Warriors fans following the Houston Rockets’ Game 6 win on May 2, saying that he shot down all the noise when his Rockets were on the brink of elimination. The Warriors went on to eliminate the Rockets, but suffered a five-game, second-round elimination at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
