Alperen Sengun is the Rockets' franchise player

I mean, look at where he is training. I wouldn't be in a rush to come back either. I do hope he is doing more than just strength and conditioning as well.

 

I and that guy hope he gets a max after next year

 

Well ya duh

 

Reminder: most of the time Alpi just reposts videos that were originally posted by the strength coach of the Turkish national team. It's perfectly possible that he is working on his shooting everyday but those sessions aren't filmed or shared.

 

After watching Sengun the past 3 years, my observation on his defensive play thus far is that he has been overall mediocre although he seems to have improved each year in terms of help and paint defense. His physical limitations in terms of weight, wingspan, and lack of a vertical hinders him. This is evident as guards and SF's consistently challenge him driving to the paint without fear driving their body into him and absorbing contact. Sengun often commits unnecessary fouls in these situations or when he is beat. He also struggles with bigger players in the paint or low post. While this is by no means a complete assessment, here are some interesting numbers I found. Some of the data below (23-24 Season) supports this as he is overall in the middle of the pack relative to his peers.

DFG% greater than 15 ft: 35.9%
Ranked 3 of 28 Starting Centers at least 50 GP.

DFG% less than 10 ft: 58.4%
Ranked 22 of 38 Starting Centers at least 50 GP.

DFG% less than 6 ft: 59.6%
Ranked 19 0f 28 Starting Centers at least 50 GP.

DEF Rating 113.2
Ranked 13 of 27 Starting Centers at least 50 GP & 25 min per game

Opp points paint 31.8
Ranked 14 of 27 Starting Centers at least 50 GP & 25 min per game

Fouls per game 3.3
Ranked 26 of 27 Starting Centers at least 50 GP & 25 min per game

Def Reb % 19.7%
Ranked 22 of 27 Starting Centers at least 50 GP & 25 min per game

Block% 27.7%
Ranked 20 of 27 Starting Centers at least 50 GP & 25 min per game

Box out % 72%
Ranked 16 of 31 Centers at least 50 GP & 25 min per game (No starter filter)

Contested 2 pt shot: 7.0
Ranked 12 of 31 Centers at least 50 GP & 25 min per game (No starter filter)

Overall contested shots: 9.2
Ranked 11 of 31 Centers at least 50 GP & 25 min per game (No starter filter)

Deflections per game: 2.4
Ranked 5 of 31 Centers at least 50 GP & 25 min per game (No starter filter)

 

already had a franchise player and let him get away

 

So he is middle of the pack defensively. Now do offensively. He has improved every year defensively even if only a little bit. There is no reason to believe he won’t continue to improve. Will he be a superstar? I doubt it, because he does have some physical limitations. Perennial all-star yes (should have been last year). I’ll take that. Amen’s going to be our superstar.

 

I wasn’t talking about offense. Just giving my assessment on his defense and presenting numbers here for everyone to interpret especially when there’s been much misinformation and individuals on this site saying he’s a “good” defender. What this does show is that he is a mediocre to lower end defender especially in the paint and as a center who’s job is to defend the paint from driving players and other bigs. This is likely why MIN got Gobert, Boston has Porzingis, and OKC paid for Hartenstein. These bigs are excellent in paint defense as the numbers support this. And this is likely why we hear Sengun’s name in trades and why there hasn’t been an extension as Udoka is a defensive minded coach. Also improving a little bit with physical limitations doesn’t win championships. Management probably has already looked at all of this.

 

Those numbers say average defender relative to league centers with those parameters.

Relative to the Rockets, Alp was one of the best defenders on the team.
In fact, over 50 games played and over 25 min a game Alp had the 2nd best defensive rating on the team. 2nd lowest DFG% on the team. Best Reb%. By far the most box outs.
Even some of the best DFG% by distance on the team.
Also shows he’s a good perimeter defender.

Of course there are other metrics that say he’s a positive defender, but because he doesn’t block tons of shots. The relics in the league think he can’t defend

 

Comparing a big to other positions doesn’t paint a full picture in my opinion. This is why I compared his numbers to other starting centers. SF’s and guards have to cover jumpshooters and three point shots with greater frequency than bigs. These types of shots at longer range aren’t as efficient as paint points from 10 ft to inside the restricted area. Guards and SF don’t hang around this area as much as bigs which explains the box out% etc. I agree it’s not about blocks at all but how a player deters opponents from the paint or alters their path or shot causing them to miss. And my observations is smaller players keep driving on him making contact with him because they know he has a foul tendency but also because they know they can get a shot off with his physical limitations.

Does Sengun make great blocks or challenge shots? Sure as the numbers show he is in the upper tier in contested shots and we see this with our eyes. But he is mediocre to lower end in many of these categories and can best be assessed as overall mediocre. Now what will management decide we don’t know. We just know his name has been floated out there in trades and that he hasn’t received an extension. We also know Udoka is a defensive minded coach who preferred athletic and defensive minded bigs during his time in Boston.

 

I think your assessment of his defense is reasonable. I do believe he will improve under Ime’s leadership and his off-season strength programs. I think we are building a great team defense and, unlike you, that can be done without your center being a block specialist. Gobert keeps getting voted as all-world on defense, but he can only be a rim protector. He gets sent off the court in the playoffs, because of his limitations as a perimeter defender and a lousy offensive player. Sengun is better at both. Just a difference in opionion on how we believe this team can progress. No big deal

 

I think if he stays in this state where he generates offense mainly thru drives or the short roll without a shot longer than 14-15 ft and no three point shot, then he needs to be a better defender for them to win but I only see him marginally get better and not drastically not due to effort but physical limitations. I believe what’s in his power to be better is:

-Less fouling
-Getting to spots before the opponent
-Rotating quicker on weak side help

But in terms of being a rim protector he isn’t this given his physical limitations.

I think the only way he can work is if he expands his game with the perimeter shooting to open up the half court offense while being a mediocre defender. Jokic isn’t a great defender by any means but he doesn’t commit a lot of fouls and has size and wingspan. But his ability to stretch defenses is most important in my opinion. I think if Sengun can clean up some of his bad habits and expand his game we may see the best version of him and this team can really compete among the best in the West. But again this is why I believe management is heavily weighing this in terms of keeping him and see how he develops this season or opting for a star SF or G via trade while finding an athletic defensive big to add.

 

The categories you mentioned he was below average in a few. Majority were average and a couple really good.

We don’t know his name has been floated out, that’s what “insiders” said, who have literally never been right. They’re fed garbage.

Also, Udoka had Horford as a main staple while in Boston who compares very well physically to Alp.

 

I did say he was overall mediocre.

I am only going by what has been reported.

Udoka was the head coach only for 1 year in Boston. After he took over for Stevens he started Robert Williams at Center. He played Horford at the 4 in that starting lineup. He also traded for Theis (from Houston) to shore up his defensive frontline for the playoffs.

 

I think this is a good take. He definitely needs to expand his shooting capability to be a perennial all-star and a key cog on a championship team. I think he can do it without being a prolific 3 pt shooter, but he definitely needs to be willing and able to shoot a good % between the free throw line and the 3 pt line and be at least a 33-35% 3 pt shooter on low volume.

 

Honestly, none of them is much more athletic than Alp.
All are smaller than Alp.

I see it as mediocre to above average, specially in relation to the rest of the team. Ultimately I think he ends up as a 4, he guards well on the perimeter. Don’t think he can anchor in drop coverage. Which really isn’t a staple in this defense anyway

 

Are these numbers last three year averages?

 

Don't forget the "it's his defense crowd"

Whilst watching KPJ and Green have more luck at finding a living, breathing dragon, than they did at ever staying in front of their man for a possession.

Edit: Never mind, you did two posts later haha.