By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Turkish center Alperen Sengun is certainly a big part of the Houston Rockets looking to develop promising assets.
Stephen Silas opting to keep Sengun on the bench through the fourth quarter of the away game versus the Portland Trail Blazers on the latest edition of NBA Sundays led to the Rockets play-caller confessing to the opponents exploiting the youngster in their offense. Back to the topic after the loss to the Denver Nuggets Tuesday, he explained why he seemed critical of his player.
“I can’t change the coverage very much with him,” he mentioned analyzing his options for defense, “His blitzing is something that will come but it’s not there yet.”
“It’s a learning process for him,” added Silas, responsible for guiding a young squad, including Sengun, “He’s not being singled out at all.”
Sengun, 20, was picked up by the Rockets after the Oklahoma City Thunder selected him 16th overall in the 2021 NBA draft. This season is his second in the league, following earlier professional experience with Turkish clubs packed with stints in the Basketball Champions League at Teksut Bandirma and FIBA Europe Cup at Besiktas Icrypex plus BSL’s MVP award for the 2020-21 season.
Alperen Sengun promises: “I can do a better job”
“I just need to be focused on pick-and-roll defense, I think,” commented Sengun after Sunday’s game confirming efforts for improvement, “I can do a better job.”
“It’s not like he’s being punished at all,” underlined Silas, “I had this conversation with him yesterday about Jokic. His pick-and-roll defense has got a lot better as his career has gone along. But Alpi is 20. He’s a second-year player.”
“I don’t want him to put so much pressure on himself if there’s an adjustment made and it’s one game or two games out of 82,” furthered the Boston-born coach, “He will get a lot better.”
Sengun has produced 15.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.8 steals per contest so far in the 2022-23 Regular Season. Carrying a 13-48 record, Houston sits last in the standings.
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