Are the Houston Rockets better without Alperen Sengun? That’s a question — preposterous as it may sound to some — that’s been raised since the team has gone on a tear without their Turkish center.
The Rockets have been the hottest team in the NBA over the past three weeks. They’ve won their last 10 games with the previous eight coming without Sengun in the lineup.
Count Rockets head coach Ime Udoka in the camp that believes all the anti-Sengun stuff is silly.
Houston Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka On Jalen Green Playing Better Without Alperen Sengun
With Sengun and his team-best 21.1 points per game sidelined with injury, Rockets guard Jalen Green has taken on the mantle of being the team’s first option. Green has thrived as the top dog on the team, averaging over 30 points per game on over 50% shooting from the field and 40% from beyond the arc.
Udoka recently appeared on “The Matt Thomas Show” and was asked about Green’s improved play — arguably the driving force behind their recent win streak — happening without Sengun. The hard-nosed coach was quick to state he believes there’s no “direct correlation” between Sengun’s absence and Green’s play.
“I don’t think there’s a direct correlation. We were playing much faster coming out of the All-Star break. We went 4-1 with [Alperen Sengun] out of All-Star break, and our pace had increased by times two almost. Now, we’re playing even faster.
“The one thing you could say is, [Jalen Green] may have more touches obviously without the post presence of Alpy. … I think they both can compliment each other very well.”
Are The Alperen Sengun ‘Ewing Theory’ Takes Without Merit?
Udoka added that Green has shown vast improvement on his offensive decision-making, which he believes to be completely independent of Sengun’s absence.
Green had also been playing much better before Sengun went down. The Rockets went 4-1 in the five games before Sengun’s injury. Green had already averaged 26.6 points in those contests.
I agree with Ime Udoka. This is not a Ewing Theory situation. Jalen Green also began playing better basketball before Alperen Sengun got hurt (26.6 PPG in the five games prior). https://t.co/FKbu7U9h7o
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) March 28, 2024
One of those aforementioned wins included a 45-point, 16-rebound, 5-steal effort from Sengun in a win over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. The man has shown flashes of brilliance in his own right.
Before Green’s recent emergence, Sengun was having a breakout season and had a legitimate All-Star case. In 63 games player, Sengun averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists on 53.7% shooting from the floor.
It’s hard to imagine a 21-year-old center posting such gaudy numbers being detrimental to a young scoring guard. Just ask Jamal Murray, who’s thrived next to Nikola Jokic en route to a championship last season.
Obviously, Green and Sengun are no Murray and Jokic. But it’s borderline criminal to suggest the Rockets or Green might be better without Sengun.
