Amen Thompson Reveals What He Learned from Kevin Durant After Rockets Trade

Star forward Kevin Durant has only been with the Houston Rockets for a few months after being traded from the Phoenix Suns this summer, but he's already started to influence his young teammates.

Rockets wing Amen Thompson told ESPN's Michael C. Wright that the biggest lesson he's taken from Durant so far is to attack practice the same way he approaches actual games.

"The best thing I've learned from KD is just his work ethic," Thompson said during Rockets training camp. "Sometimes, I would think I'm going hard. Then, you watch KD. He's damn near 40 and he's going harder. He's going super hard. He's like [at] game speed. I try to incorporate that in my stuff even when I'm not working out with him. I'm just doing game [speed] reps because that's what he does."

At 37 years old, Durant is the second-oldest player on Houston's roster behind only 39-year-old forward Jeff Green, who was his 2007 draft classmate. The former NBA MVP is hoping to compete for an NBA championship as he nears the end of his legendary career, so he will need the Rockets' young stars to step up in a big way.

Thompson is one of the most promising players in the league, earning a spot on the All-Defensive first team following his impressive sophomore campaign. He's expected to have an even bigger role this year, so he could reach even greater heights while playing alongside Durant.

The Rockets will showcase their new mindset when Durant leads them in Tuesday night's season opener against the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder.