Ime Udoka on Rockets OT loss to Warriors, Alperen Sengun's struggles

Yeah, that was my take above - let's consolidate some guys to upgrade either Fred or DB's spot for a better shooter. Agree Reed is supposed to be floor spacing, floor general long term but he doesn't look ready for that role any time soon. Could Cam(or even Jalen or Jabari for the right player) + one of Fred or DB be enough to make a significant upgrade? We really need more consistent shooting on the floor to pair with our best players who are all non shooters. Fred, DB, Jalen, Cam, Jabari - they are all largely inconsistent shooters and then you are trying to pair them with Sengun, Amen, and Tari who are not proven shooters as well - it means teams beg us to shoot from distance and live with the results. That's ultimately our biggest problem as a team - our best offensive and defensive players aren't solid enough shooters and the rest of the guys to surround them aren't consistent. At least I can write off that young players are generally inconsistent but I have low hopes for DB and Fred which is why I want to figure out ways to upgrade them but hopefully keep around some leadership aspects for another vet.

 

Sounds like wishful thinking to me. I'm leaning towards 'Sengun tried to send a message in his own way' side. Yes, it's unprofessional. And yes, it happens all the time, regardless of the sports. A manager should expect this. Although, Ime might not have the EQ for that.

Super curious to see if this benching will continue for any longer. It'll escalate things, whether we find it professional or not.

 

Ime clearly wants a lob threat someone like Gafford. If we had Gafford he would 10000% bench Sengun for him. This guy has no idea how to run an offense he has no clue.

 

Sure, but we have been drafting guys who are touted as the best shooters in their respective drafts. It's not like he doesn't have the players that are supposedly good at shooting at his disposal. At some point it's your own fault playing FVV 40 minutes a game when he is shooting concert dates. He wanted FVV over Harden, the front office did just that for him. He wanted Dillon? Got him also. He wanted more shooting? We drafted Reed. It's up to him to use the tools. Can't always be blaming that he inherited a "bad" team. He has said before that he will play Amen and Reed more so FVV would play less minutes, but all I've seen the past few games is FVV playing the most minutes on this squad. Udoka is not blameless.

 

If true, though, isn't it odd that Ime caved? Like if Sengun decided to do a performative walk-out in the 2nd quarter, would Ime really respond by playing him all 12 minutes in the third quarter? From what I know about Ime, if Sengun actually did that, Ime would've benched his ass for the rest of the game, and he would be right to do so. It's a super weird situation.

 

That's the dumbest thing I've read all week. If coaches were indeed supreme beings as you make them out to be none of them would ever be sacked. Yet they consistently are, and some can't even get a job after being let go (Silas) because some only know it but can’t make adjustments when things aren't going their way or they have terrible relationships with players and lose the locker room OR they have no idea how to maximize their players. Can't believe i have to explain this to a grown man.

 

Suspect posters: Why is Sengun laughing!!!!!!????

 

I'm speculating (key word) as we really don't know what happened. Thought it might be a possibility based on Alpe's reaction on the late 4th quarter.

Hypothetically, If what I've suggested was true, Ime not starting the 3rd with Sengun would be insane level of escalation. Even the tough cookies cave when needed.

 

I'll take his word on this one

 

I'm not missing the point.

It is the 6th game of the season - in what has been a frustrating start of the season for Sengun individually. He has done everything asked of him and had earned the benefit of the doubt. If these issues do not get any better then we can worry about it.

 

I never said that Udoka doesn't deserve any blame, I said that he has been handed a bunch of young players that don't fit well together.

Also - Stone wanted Brooks before Udoka was ever hired.

 

I really do think this is the most likely explanation, the more that I think about it. If he was actually doing some kind of pouting/protesting thing...I just don't see Ime letting him back in the game after that. Ime isn't that much of a pushover.

 

I look at the small, but growing sample size for Sengun this year and think he will be fine - if he just makes more shots/passes to open man a bit more. Just being as effective offensively as last year would have Alpi being a more effective player than last year. He has missed a bunch of plays that he usually finishes with a bucket or passes for an assist. His poor play finishing has led to more transition opportunities for the Rockets opponents. This whole idea that he is defending worse this year than last year seems based off of one or two plays - which all players have each game.

 

Hopefully everything works out

 

I think at that moment in time we should take action and not sit ducks.

 

a lot of this discussion should be taken to the Sengun drama thread. mods lock this one up

 

Drama is our Franchise player......then yeah.

 

He’s not making shots and not making good decisions in a small sample size

 

You must be trolling. Sengun was on his way to putting up 25 and 15. He just didn't get the minutes. Jalen and FVV were absolutely god awful, and FVV played 40 minutes. The only thing that makes sense to me is that Sengun is playing limited minutes because he has a sore back or something. I can't understand anything else.

p.s. Jalen was absolutely fantastic the first 5 games, but he was as awful in game 6 as he was fantastic in the first 5. I understand people will have off nights, but remind me when James Harden finished a game with 7 points when he was our star. I hope he bounces back tonight. I can even forgive him if every 6th game is that awful if he's playing 5 the way he did to start the season.

FVV has been awful in 6 out of 6 games and yet he's still playing 40 minutes a game and I cannot for the life of me understand it.