HOUSTON — Over the past three seasons, Rockets center Alperen Sengün has always looked forward to playing “King of the Court”, a competitive one-on-one exercise usually involving three or more people. It’s a universal game played at all levels of basketball, from grassroots to professional, and the rules are simple: if someone scores, they stay. If you get a defensive stop, you stay.
So, at the end of almost every training session since Şengün entered the NBA, while others were relaxing and heading to the showers, he was getting ready for more basketball. The level of competition has changed over the years, with different teammates and player development assistants participating, but Şengün has been the one constant.
This season, the veterans center Boban Marjanovic and second year forward Jabari Smith Jr. have been Şengün’s most frequent opponents, with appearances from player development coach Tiago Splitter.
Şengün has always been an excellent 1v1 scorer, with an impressive combination of footwork and hand-eye coordination with trickery that makes him a difficult cover. As a rookie, the language barrier made certain aspects of his game awkward. But as Şengün’s game and English improved, so did his trash talk in practice – quickly. “Give me that !” became one of his favorite responses after successfully contesting an opponent’s shot.
At first, his winning percentage fluctuated, but it is rare to see him lose in these exercises, which have become a spectacle for the media, his teammates and head coach Ime Udoka, who even flashed a rare smile. When the lights are on, Şengün knows how to collect a bucket.
“What we’ve seen with Alpi – it’s obviously gotten better as he’s gotten older and more experienced and more skilled – is his ability to beat his guy 1-on-1 to get a layup or a dunk “, Rockets chief executive Rafael Stone said Athleticism. “(This) was evident in the Turkish league video and from the very first training we had it. It’s just real strength, and he strings the movements together, and it comes very naturally to him.
Şengün’s campaign was cut short after suffering a grade 3 right ankle injury and bone bruise earlier this month, but whether his regular season is over or not, there is a star in Houston. Offensively, his importance is obvious. Advanced metrics like Plus-Minus Rating rank him among the top 10 percent of NBA players, others like Cleaning the Glass and DARKO show parallels to MVP and NBA champion. Nikola Jokic. Defensively, he is no longer the rookie glued to the bench, capable of operating in different schemes and recently showing an aggressive side in his approach to this side of the field.
It’s strange to think that at one point in his young career, Şengün found himself behind Daniel Theis, Christian Bois and even Bruno Fernando. Eight months ago, his starting job was considered in jeopardy with the arrival of Udoka and a possible bid for the veteran position. Brook Lopez. Today, there is no doubt that not only is Şengün the best player on the roster, averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 dimes per game, but he might also be the most important for his future – especially if the Rockets want to add building blocks to their future. the gradual path towards discord.
“The talent level is real,” Udoka said. “That’s what you see on film and play against, and he’s taken a step forward so far.” Competitiveness and facing specific matchups from day one. I think he’s improved defensively in all areas, some of the things and challenges we’ve presented to him. He’s not even close to hitting his ceiling and he still has a ways to go, but he’s had a great year and his future is bright.
To get a better perspective on what Şengün means to the Rockets, I asked his teammates something they learned about him – on or off the court – that they didn’t know at the start of the season. Here’s what they said.
This season, Alperen Sengun has shown that he can take his game to the next level. (Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)
Amen Thompsonrecruit: He’s a very good teammate, a positive guy. I feel like he understands, because people pick on him, so he’ll never pick on you too much. He will try to teach you, even with the language barrier. He does a good job too, at the same time. Basketball is a universal language, so he does a good job. Very good teammate, I love Alpi.
Nate Hintonrecruit: Just being around him makes him a good guy. He wants to win. He plays hard every night and tries to give everything. That’s one thing I learned about him, going out there and taking the game seriously. I try to dominate every night. He has a lot of game and can be one of the best players in this league if he takes care of his body. Just keep growing, there’s a lot of potential. Can also be a potential 3 threat as he’s still open, they don’t keep him there. If he hits a few in his career, it will improve his game even more.
Jae’Sean Tatefourth year wing: Hmmm. I’ve known Alpi for a while. I would say…one thing I’ve learned is that he’s very family oriented. He brought his family this year, they traveled as a pack and supported him. It was pretty cool to see where he was from and meet some of these people. But also how he got here, his story. I didn’t really follow along at first, but he had the opportunity to share with us his journey to get there, and it’s pretty cool.
Aaron Vacationsixth grade goalie: He’s a good guy, a good boy. I obviously can’t call him a child (laughs). He’s a very good player, very talented. He has all the tools to one day be one of the best in the NBA.
Reggie Bullock11th grade wing: He is learning English (laughs). But just his offensive game, I didn’t know he had the full package with the display, his moves that he could pull off. I really haven’t seen a big one this year that can hit him down low. He’s been so good at hitting everything, so probably the advantage he has against the big guys.
Fred VanVleeteighth grade guard: It’s not a thing. I’m just discovering his personality on and off the field. A lot of times, who you are as a person shows through your playing. When you look at someone from afar, you kind of see them, but when you get to know them, it makes sense. I see him coming with the long mink coats and all that, he has that flair. He gave him gifts, it was more euros than anything else, but it was good to build a relationship with him. He’s a great guy and he just wants to be great. Learning that part of him was fun for me.
Dillon Brooksseventh grade wing: He is very modest. He plays hard, he learns, he’s a sponge. I didn’t know how good he was until I started playing with him. He has more facets to his game and he is resilient. He will come back stronger.
Jock Landalethird year big: He’s a great guy to have in the locker room. Pretty harmless, no problem, get around these guys. That’s all you can really ask for from an NBA teammate. I think he cares about the rest of us, and that’s important.
Boban Marjanović, ninth-grade senior: I feel like I know everything because we’re both from Europe. I know his story because we played a lot of matches. I have often been to Turkey, I know him and I know where he comes from; it’s similar to Serbia. But I didn’t know he was such a good guy. I can guess, but when you meet him, you’re sure. And we see that he is a good player. You don’t even have to be with him to know that. But I can say that he is a wonderful person with a big heart. That’s what really matters.
Green Jalenthird year goalkeeper: I feel like I know everything about Alpi. We came together and so we’ve built a really great bond over the last three years. Just seeing how far he can go at the next level, I didn’t know – he showed me this year.
Jeff Green16th grade attacker: Just his skills. From a distance, we don’t see it because we don’t play it every day. But how young he is and how talented he is, I think that’s something you don’t see every day with a kid like that.
