Alperen Sengun ☆ Follow

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Starts 3 of 3 games · 4th on HOU in minutes · Core role

Bars: minutes in his last 3 games · numbers: points

Situational splits: turn on Prediction tools.

Every situation, with four seasons of history →

• Podcast Dave DuFour, The Athletic NBA Daily · Analysis · 7 h ago around the league

  Alperen Sengun scored 29, including eight straight in the fourth quarter. The host wants him as the offensive hub for bench units and sees his two-man game with Reed Sheppard as a potential step forward.

  “Jalen Williams Suffers Devastating Injury + Miami Slides in Power Rankings” at 27:16 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 5 points · 23 h ago
  • Jackson Gatlin: Late-game mistakes listed: Sengun held the ball until it became a jump ball, and Tari Eason took ill-advised mid-range shots. at 4:17
  • Jackson Gatlin: Jackson observes that Sheppard hit passes to Sengun on the short roll in this game that he wasn't making last season. at 16:21
  • Jackson Gatlin: Sengun scored 13 points in the second half and Tari Eason scored 15 in the second half. at 22:46
  • Sengun finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists on 6-of-12 shooting, 1-of-2 from three and 4-of-6 from the line. Both hosts say he is hitting about one three a game. at 23:52
  • Jackson Gatlin: Jackson's analysis: without VanVleet, Sengun and Durant play very different roles and draw more defensive focus. They start possessions far from the basket instead of catching on the short roll. Bryson adds that they mainly missed VanVleet once the game got tight. at 24:39

  “Houston Rockets SURVIVE Crunch Time MISTAKES Vs Hawks | Reed Sheppard SHINES In Start” · listen ↗

• Podcast Numbers on the Board host · Report · 47 h ago around the league

  Rockets beat the Spurs. Sengun scored 11 of their last 13 points, KD needed only 10 shots, and the hosts credit Fred VanVleet for spacing and ball movement. Jabari had 30 in the opener.

  “20 Things We Have Learned So Far | Numbers On The Board” at 1:31:57 · listen ↗

• Podcast KG Certified host · Analysis · Oct 24 around the league

  Host analysis: a point guard puts Alperen Sengun and KD in their spots so they don't have to self-initiate. Jabari Smith Jr. benefited most from having a real point guard.

  “Ant & LaMelo Look Dangerous, LeBron Takes On Embiid and KG Believes in Luka’s Lakers | KG CERTIFIED” at 1:14:36 · listen ↗

• Podcast The Mismatch host · Analysis · Oct 23 around the league

  Host analysis: the attention defenses pay to Alperen Sengun and Durant gives Jabari Smith Jr. an opening for a 'mini-leap'.

  “The Return of Loves and Loathes. Plus: A Historic Thursday Night.” at 36:21 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA · 2 points · Oct 22
  • Rockets: Kevin Durant scored 30, Jabari Smith Jr. scored 30, and Alperen Sengun had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. at 30:31
  • Gavin (inferred) says VanVleet 'looked a little washed', mostly taking deep threes, but had 11 assists as an organizer. Gavin thinks this may have indirectly led to more creative use of Sengun, such as an inverted screen with Reed Sheppard. at 30:55

  “GAME NIGHT: Ant/LaMelo SHINE in Debut, Luka talks trash, Ty Jerome goes OFF” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 13 points · Oct 24
  • Jackson Gatlin: Late in the game the Rockets kept going to Alperen Sengun. He scored 8 straight points starting with the score at 109-104, accounted for the Rockets' last 8 points, and had scored 11 of their final 13 up to that point. at 7:11
  • Jackson Gatlin: Alperen Sengun's line: 29 points on 10-of-20 shooting, two threes, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. at 7:28
  • Jackson Gatlin: Host's tentative view, attached to a "might": Alperen Sengun's shooting leap "might actually be here." He also hit threes against the Mavericks. at 7:32
  • Brandon Scott: From three, Alperen Sengun went 2 of 4 and Amen Thompson went 1 of 2. at 26:45
  • Brandon Scott: Guest's view: Alperen Sengun is shooting with confidence right now instead of the hesitancy he has shown at times. at 27:27
  • Jackson Gatlin: Alperen Sengun scored inside on both Luke Cornett and Wembanyama. When the Spurs adjusted by putting a smaller defender on him, he drew the defense in and moved the ball around the perimeter for good looks. at 7:43
  • Jackson Gatlin: Early on, Alperen Sengun settled for turnaround fadeaways and a short hook against Wembanyama. Later, possibly after halftime adjustments (the host was not sure), he used his size and physicality. at 31:44
  • Brandon Scott: Guest's view: Alperen Sengun was the best player in the game and played at an All-NBA level. He has now had two straight strong games. at 8:32
  • Brandon Scott: Guest's analysis: in recent seasons Alperen Sengun had not been able to overpower Wembanyama, but here he got deep position and used the basket against Wembanyama's height. at 8:51
  • Jackson Gatlin: The initial plan put wings on Wembanyama: Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, or Amen Thompson. That worked because Alperen Sengun and, to a lesser degree, Steven Adams could guard Spurs wings and perimeter players. at 13:43
  • Jackson Gatlin: Because of the scheme, Alperen Sengun guarded Stephon Castle for big chunks of the game and walled up his drives. Adams was switched onto Dylan Harper or De'Aaron Fox on a few possessions. at 17:43
  • Brandon Scott: Guest's positional framing: Smith Jr. and Durant are the "three" and "stretch four" who can credibly guard Wembanyama, with Sengun at center. Amen Thompson is called the team's best defender and a "two guard" or positionless player who can take the opponent's best perimeter player. at 15:43
  • Jackson Gatlin: During Sengun's 8-point burst in the fourth, the Spurs moved Wembanyama off Sengun and onto Amen Thompson. With VanVleet, Smith Jr. and Durant spacing the floor, Thompson threatened a jumper from the top of the key to pull Wembanyama out of the paint, then lobbed to Sengun, who pump-faked and finished through contact for an and-one. The host called it possibly his favorite play of the game. at 32:10

  “Rockets Vs Spurs: Amen Thompson GAME-WINNING BLOCK On Victor Wembanyama & Alperen Sengun DOMINATES” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets host · Report · Oct 24

  Alperen Sengun was tremendous on offense down the stretch, working in the post, and scored 29.

  “ROCKETS POSTCAST: Houston Rockets Make Early Season Statement In Win Over San Antonio Spurs” at 4:59 · listen ↗

• Bluesky Varun Shankar (@byvarunshankar.bsky.social) · Report · Oct 21

  Steven Adams is out for tonight's game with right calf tightness/soreness. Rockets starting the game with: Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün.

  original post ↗

• Podcast All The Smoke host · Analysis · Oct 21 around the league

  Analysis: KD and Sengun have had to bring the ball up instead of catching in their spots. With VanVleet setting the table, they will be able to catch in their spots more.

  “Jalen Hurts Deserved BETTER Than This” at 51:59 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets host · Analysis · Oct 20

  A guest (inferred to be Madison) says the team's weaker defenders, such as Sengun, will have more energy because they don't have to do as much.

  “DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE: Houston Rockets Set To SURPASS Spurs & Thunder In NBA's Elite Rankings?” at 4:11 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 5 points · Oct 20
  • Bryson said having Steven Adams back will help Alperen Sengun and will also help Reed, because of how the team staggered their minutes together. at 4:30
  • Jackson Gatlin: A host or guest inferred to be the host picked Alperen Sengun as most important. He said Sengun showed a new or different level of defensive activity at times in the preseason, which looked encouraging. at 12:43
  • Jackson Gatlin: The same speaker said he has reasonable confidence that Sengun will improve his finishing around the basket and his free-throw percentage this season. at 12:16
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host (inferred) said Amen Thompson's place in the starting lineup shows the team was never built purely around Sengun. He raised a concern that opponents exploit the fact that neither Sengun nor Thompson can shoot, by parking a big on Thompson or putting a smaller player on Sengun, and asked whether Udoka has a counter. at 41:05
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host (inferred) did not call it make-or-break, but asked whether Sengun can get back to his 2024-25 two-way form. He believes Sengun can with VanVleet back, and said the Rockets may need internal evaluations by season's end. at 44:00

  “Rockets Most IMPORTANT Player BESIDES Kevin Durant | Who Will SURPRISE And Who Has Most AT STAKE?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA host · Prediction · Oct 19 around the league

  Matt picked three Rockets for third-team All-NBA (Amen Thompson, heard 'Men'; Sengun, heard 'Shengun'; Kevin Durant) and predicts Houston edges San Antonio for the division.

  “Ranking ALL 30 NBA Teams! Our Official 2026-27 Tier List” at 54:24 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 2 points · Oct 19
  • Bryson states that Alperen Sengun is a two-time All-Star and that Kevin Durant was an All-Star last year. at 8:45
  • B. Scott's concern is whether Sengun plays at a surefire All-Star / borderline All-NBA level or only borderline All-Star level. He notes Sengun looked like he had turned a corner early last season but has also taken it down a peg. at 29:38

  “Houston Rockets Path To SUCCESS This Season? | Alperen Sengun & Amen Thompson Must SHINE” · listen ↗

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks host · Analysis · Oct 19 around the league

  Dan's Rockets top nine: starters VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Sengun; bench Smart, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason and Steven Adams. Bogdanovic plays if healthy; Capela likely doesn't play when Sengun and Adams are both healthy.

  “1 Big Question For Every NBA Teams In The Western Conference” at 1:19:37 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 3 points · Oct 16
  • Alperen Sengun blocked Alex Caruso and then Isaiah Hartenstein on the same possession. at 16:26
  • Host view: last year Alperen Sengun was too taxed by his offensive responsibilities to be a full two-way force. With VanVleet back, he can give more on defense. at 17:00
  • Off the ball, VanVleet is used as a screener all over the floor. He sets back screens and flare screens for Jabari, Tari or KD while Sengun is at the top of the key in horns sets. at 18:45

  “Rockets Close Preseason STRONG Vs Thunder | Amen & Sengun CARRY Early, Bogdan Bogdanovic Goes CRAZY” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 5 points · Oct 15
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host's view: the Rockets now have many more offensive creators than last season. Last season it was mainly Durant and Sengun, with Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson contributing inconsistently. This year VanVleet, Smart and Bogdanovic are added. at 12:53
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host's opinion: Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. have fantastic, team-friendly contracts, which he credits to Rafael Stone and the front office. at 19:58
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host's open questions on substitution patterns: will one of Durant ('katie') and Sengun ('shingun') be on the floor at all times? When do the double-big lineups and the Amen Thompson pace-and-space lineups get used? Will double-guard lineups (any two of VanVleet, Smart, Sheppard) be staggered with the double bigs to cover defensive weaknesses? at 26:32
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host's minutes math: he expects the double-big lineup to be a mainstay again now that Steven Adams has returned to the rotation. For Sengun to get about 36 minutes and Adams about 20, they need to overlap for roughly 8 minutes a game. at 28:16
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host's ranking of the roster: Sengun is the Rockets' second-best player and Amen Thompson the third, both young and still developing. at 8:12

  “LEGACY: Can Kevin Durant DEFY Doubters And LEAD The Rockets To NBA Finals This Season?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 3 points · Oct 14
  • The host says Adams makes possible offensive rebounding and double-big lineups that take pressure off Alperen Sengun and get him good matchups. at 18:39
  • The host says that on paper the team should be a top-five offense, citing VanVleet's return, the addition of Marcus Smart, Durant, Sengun, Sheppard and Bogdan Bogdanovic. at 27:13
  • Alperen Sengun averaged 6.2 assists last season. The host thinks he could get about seven again but understands doubts now that VanVleet is back. at 15:11

  “Rockets Fans PREDICTIONS | 60+ WINS? Western Conference Finals RUN? Kevin Durant DOMINANCE?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 2 points · Oct 12
  • Alperen Sengun, Kevin Durant, Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams did not play in game 2. The host called it the 'reserve game' and gave no reason for the absences. at 2:15
  • Host's opinion: the offense shouldn't be designed to create threes for Sengun or Thompson until they can reliably hit open ones. He thinks Thompson probably shouldn't be taking as many threes. at 28:16

  “Marcus Smart's IMPRESSIVE Rockets Debut Vs Mavs | Reed Sheppard's CONFIDENCE On Display” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 4 points · Oct 9
  • Game 1 substitution order: Tari (Eason) was the first sub off the bench, for Amen Thompson; then Steve-O (Adams) for Alpi (Sengun); then Ime brought in Reed and Amen for Fred VanVleet and Jabari. at 4:57
  • Ime brought in Bogdan Bogdanovic for KD, which created a stretch with neither Durant nor Sengun on the floor; the host was shocked. at 5:26
  • Host imagines that in the regular season there will always be at least one of KD or Sengun on the floor. at 5:38
  • Rockets appeared to be experimenting, running three-man actions with Fred, KD and Sengun that included back screens, flare screens and inverted pick-and-rolls. Host says they couldn't run these last season without Fred's skill set. at 19:14

  “Rockets Vs Mavs LIVE Postgame Mailbag: Kevin Durant USAGE Concerns, Amen Thompson's ROLE & More” · listen ↗

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