The Houston Rockets have seen Alperen Sengun go from Turkish Championship MVP to probably the greatest younger gamers within the NBA. The Rockets had been hoping for a steal within the draft after they chosen the large man after buying and selling up for the No. 17 choose within the 2021 NBA Draft.
Sengun was not solely a steal of the draft, but in addition turned probably the greatest gamers within the draft. Yearly Sengun has gotten higher and increasingly more folks across the league are taking discover. As nationwide consideration elevated, opposing groups made stopping Sengun their prime precedence.
The Rockets’ 3-point taking pictures has regressed this season, and groups have challenged the Rockets to beat them from past the arc. Opposing groups pack the paint and double-team Sengun on virtually each possession.
Despite the fact that Sengun’s shot makes an attempt are about the identical as final season, the kind of pictures Sengun is pressured to take have turn out to be far more troublesome. Sengun’s teammates study to adapt and attempt to benefit from the elevated consideration Sengun attracts with every match.
Despite the fact that many of the Rockets’ 3-point taking pictures was down from final season, there was one participant who took benefit of the open appears. Dillon Brooks has been Houston’s greatest shooter all season and one in all its most constant gamers total.
Rockets on SI requested Brooks how the staff has tailored to opposing groups teaming up with Sengun each recreation.
I requested Dillon Brooks if he thought the staff was getting extra snug taking part in towards the double groups despatched to Alperen.
“Al P principally desires me to chop and I used to be drained as fuck.” pic.twitter.com/PM2NXsJOCx
– Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 2, 2025
Brooks has benefited from the additional consideration Sengun attracts by ensuring he is slicing towards the basket or in place for a wide-open shot. Brooks is making a career-high 3-pointer and elevated his total scoring from final season.
Amen Thompson is one other participant who’s benefiting from the eye Sengun is attracting as he has turn out to be the Rockets’ greatest participant on the staff. Sengun is a keen passer and more often than not places his teammates in glorious positions to attain.
Nevertheless, Sengun has just lately turn out to be extra aggressive in scoring on double groups and never settling for the cross. Rockets on SI requested Sengun about his mindset relating to scoring on a double staff.
Alperen Sengun was far more aggressive towards double groups tonight. I requested Sengun if he needed to be extra aggressive with groups sending extra double groups this season.
“They’ve been overtaking me all season, so I’ve been making an attempt to determine easy methods to be aggressive.” pic.twitter.com/VgfSXZLYZK
– Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 2, 2025
Ime Udoka repeatedly defined that Sengun was the hub of the offense and was their calming power after they struggled to attain. Despite the fact that the taking pictures percentages do not present it, the Rockets generate sufficient open pictures however they have not been in a position to benefit from them.
For the Rockets to remain within the prime three within the Western Convention, they should begin making the most of the eye Sengun is attracting out and in of the sport. The Rockets will search for their second straight victory Friday evening after they host the Boston Celtics.
Would you want to affix the dialogue? As Rockets on SI Fb and observe us on Twitter to remain updated with all the newest Rockets information. It’s also possible to meet the staff behind the quilt.
