By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Talented Turkish and Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun talked on “Sunday Chat with Fatih Altayli” about many different topics.
He touched on differences between European and NBA basketball, especially the coaches.
“Two different styles. In Europe, coaches are crazy. They shout and yell. In America, there is no such thing. Because the players in America are of very high quality, for example, LeBron’s coach or Curry’s coach cannot shout at them. The player would say, ‘Who are you?’ In the NBA, the players are stronger.”
Sengun doesn’t believe that the coaching style of Zeljko Obradovic would fit in the NBA.
“It won’t work. He can’t do it. The player wouldn’t tolerate him there. He can’t do what he does here, there. It’s very different here.”
The talented Turkish player, who spent the last three seasons overseas and already made his name with great performances, gave his two cents about the always interesting subject – is it easier to score in NBA than in Europe?
“Before you go to the NBA, you think, LeBron scores 50, an unknown player scores 50. You think it’s easier to score there. But when you get there, it’s not like that. I used to say the same, ‘Europe is harder, America is easier.’ But when you go there, you see it. Here, there are more set plays. There, it’s more one-on-one and fast break plays.”
Regarding his future, the 16th pick from the 2021 NBA draft explained his current situation with the Houston Rockets in detail.
“We are waiting. My managers are negotiating with them. I don’t become a free agent next year. This year, teams can’t make offers to me. Next year, other teams can make offers. They can offer a maximum of four-year contracts, but my team, Houston, can offer me a five-year contract. Next year, I could get four-year offers worth $180 million, $200 million. Those will be the prices. This year, Houston doesn’t have to sign with me, but if they don’t, those offers will come next year. They will compete. I can’t say yes to an offer that comes. Let’s say Chicago made me an offer, I can’t say, ‘Okay, I’m coming to you.’ Houston can match the offered amount and say, ‘I’m offering the same money, I’m not letting Alperen go.’ But let’s say Chicago offered an amount, and Houston offered less, then I can go to Chicago if I want. This will be the risk. Right now, they don’t have to sign, but of course, I want to sign. Because then your mind is at ease. You secure your future,” Alperen Sengun said.