By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Houston Rockets are 6-3, sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference standings, marking one of the most pleasant surprises of the NBA season so far. A significant factor behind this positive start lies in the hands of the talented Turkish center, Alperen Sengun.
He is averaging 19.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and six assists on 60% shooting. It appears he is on a constant rise since his NBA debut in 2021.
Sengun credited assistant coach Thiago Splitter, who joined the Rockets coaching staff last summer, for certain improvements in his game.
“Thiago helped me a lot. I improved my left hand with him because we are working a lot together. He’s a champion, experienced, and is teaching me a lot of things about mentality, games, and off the court,” Sengun said for Locked on Rockets, jokingly adding, “We got a deal; he teaches me all those things, and I was going to teach him some plays in the post-up.”
The talented Turkish player has added a one-legged fadeaway shot to his game.
“I worked all summer on that shot, all the fadeaways, post-up, and mid-range shots. I didn’t use that in the preseason, but in the Orlando game, it just came naturally. And now I feel more comfortable. Every year you need to add something to your game. I’m attacking well, and when I’m dribbling, I can be dangerous. When players guarding me give me space, I can use that shot. I’m really dangerous in that shot, and it’s going to be really difficult to guard me.”
He even watched Dirk Nowitzki execute that kind of shot.
“Of course, that’s kind of his move; he brought it to the NBA.”
Head coach Ime Udoka is giving him confidence to be even more productive on offense.
“Coach Ime is telling me all the time to shoot when I’m wide open, to not let anyone tell me anything. He’s always giving me that confidence. Now I’m not taking that pump fake—if I’m wide open, I’m shooting it.“