Os Trigonum was a Sengun hater at first, but now he knows he can't go back, so he somehow expresses his admiration for him, albeit sarcastically. All Sengun haters will find the right path somehow. Because Sengun is the cornerstone of this team.
Sengun is now not only a good paint protector but also a good perimeter defender. He defended the perimeter well all game, especially by double-teaming Curry, and look especially closely at the 7:50 mark when he makes the game-winning defense.
Sengun defended perimeter AWESOME last night. Not just this possesion but every minute of the game. I think he defended better than even rim and paint. I just want to see his defense against Curry. Dude was moving like heavy truck but faster than McQueen.
Kelly Iko piece. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5984383/2024/12/11/jaylen-wells-alperen-sengun-ikosystem/ Alperen Şengün’s footwork pays dividends The bulk of offseason conversations between Alperen Şengün, the coaching staff and his teammates — with an aim on improving the Houston Rockets’ seventh-placed defense — was centered on attention to detail and effort. But after missing the final few weeks of the 2023-24 regular season with a right ankle sprain, the fourth-year big felt that to become a better defender, his footwork speed had to get better. By improving his physical fitness, not only would he be able to cover more ground in Ime Udoka’s scheme — a combination of switching, blitzing and timely rotations — he would be a more lethal offensive hub for a team that often struggled to carve out an identity. “I got hurt at the end of last season. That was the (biggest) thing I was working on, my ankle,” Şengün said. “I just wanted to be faster, get in shape so I could help more.” The Rockets are nearly nine points (8.6) better defensively with Şengün on the floor according to Cleaning the Glass, good for the 92nd percentile of players at his position. In each of his previous three seasons, Şengün was ranked in the bottom 40 percent. And for as much length as Houston has on the floor at times with players like Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson and Tari Eason, Şengün’s ability to move in space is integral to the Rockets’ setup. According to NBA.com tracking data, Şengün ranks third in shots contested within six feet, and Houston is allowing opponents to shoot 54.4 percent at the rim. When Şengün sits, that number skyrockets to 62.2. Historically, that on/off discrepancy is reserved for legitimate rim protectors and defensive game-changers. Şengün has taken the scenic route, but he’s finally arrived — and the 16-8 Rockets are thriving because of it. “Understanding and recognition of personnel has been much better — who he has to be up higher on, understanding their foot speed and who he can play back on” Udoka said. “When he’s off the ball, he’s really improved there. I don’t know if that’s footwork as much as just recognition overall and taking on the challenge on the defensive end.” Last season, Second Spectrum tracking data contextualized Şengün’s movement at both ends of the floor, averaging 3.73 miles per hour on defense and 4.04 miles per hour on offense. This season, while there has been a slight increase offensively (4.07), it’s his defensive leap (3.91) that’s been the most telling. Udoka’s defensive approach is rooted in aggression and, more importantly, precision. Bigs who have played in his system have been required to be able to stunt, recover and rotate when necessary. When Trayce Jackson-Davis receives this pass from Draymond Green near the free-throw line, there’s an expectation Şengün, who is at the strongside block, can scramble back to the rim and contest the shot. “Half of it is effort,” Smith said. “He’s spent a lot more energy down there. His feet are obviously good, you can see it on offense. Just having him exert more energy on that end is going to show (on the defensive end).” Şengün’s improved footwork, especially on defense, almost goes unnoticed. But it allows Udoka to maintain an aggressive shell around the Turkish big. According to Synergy, Şengün drops back in coverage on 72.3 percent of screens, knowing that on more than 70 percent of occasions, there will be a roller going hard to the rim. Even in instances where the opposing big fades and more attention has to be paid to the ballhandler, Şengün’s feet can keep up with the constant change of direction. Again, it’s subtle, but it’s happening in real time. “I really worked on my legs,” Şengün said. “Trying to get in shape.”
Respect him trying so, so hard, to look away and not stare at her t*** during the postgame interview.
I never looked at the definition of a flagrant foul until today. This is what I found(copied below). It is very vague. Can someone explain how are these called and why the foul on alpi was not a flagrant? I am assuming it is the correct call since it stood a review. Flagrant Foul Penalty 1: Unnecessary contact committed by a player against an opponent Flagrant Foul Penalty 2: Unnecessary and excessive contact committed by a player against an opponent.
I'm shocked nowadays when I see him post an actual post not about Sengun. He had a couple recently and it was so jarring lol, I forgot he always wasn't a clown.
Makes it all the more laughable he consistently gets subbed out for 'defensive purposes' down the stretch. While we have a whole heap of data on how often teams stroll inside and score immediately after he exits the game.
