By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Houston Rockets look different going into the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season. Alperen Sengun agreed and shared his view on the team at the top of the 2023 NBA Preseason schedule.
Sengun, 21, went for 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in the home win versus the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. The Turkish center looked more active in creating plays for his teammates compared to the first two years in the league.
“That is my game. I always play that way,” he replied to a question about adjusting his approach, “With Coach Ime this year, I think it is going to be like that. That is my game. I feel more comfortable like that. I love sharing the ball.”
“I just care about winning this year. I don’t care about stats,” he said on whether additional focus on assists affects his points per game.
In 2022-23, he averaged 14.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.9 steals per contest over 75 appearances.
Following his sophomore campaign in the NBA, the Rockets fired Stephen Silas and hired Ime Udoka as the new head coach.
“Yeah…,” the Turkish big said with a smile on having more freedom under the guidance of the new play-caller, “It is kind of a different team right now. Of course, I feel different. But not all the things changed in offense.”
Since drafting Sengun in 2021, the Rockets missed the Playoffs by a wide margin twice.
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