Big man Alperen Şengün piled up such impressive points that the NBA world is questioning the direction of the Houston Rockets. Headlined by veteran Kevin Durant, the Rockets are pushing for a playoff spot, and the NBA world couldn’t stay calm after Şengün’s monumental stat line in the Rockets-Pelicans game.
Alperen Şengün’s Dominant Stat Line Against the Pelicans Rallied the NBA World
Şengün has quickly elevated himself to a playmaking hub from the post or high pick-and-rolls and also as a rare modern point-center. As one of the most integral players in the Rockets’ return to playoff contention, the Turkish standout helped the team with efficient shooting from the field and beyond the arc to tie it in the first quarter, but flipped the game open in the second.
The Pelicans soared through in the third quarter but couldn’t have a chance in the fourth, as the Rockets sealed the night with a 134-102 blowout win. But Şengün stole the real limelight, leading his team to victory. He posted a 36-point performance that came along with 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks in the game.
The NBA world that mentioned slow starts, shooting inconsistencies, and a lack of intensity was silenced on seeing the stat line. Amid the MVP debates and trade suggestions to bring Giannis Antetokounmpo to play alongside Durant, analyst page Real App shared a screenshot of the Turkish icon’s stats from the past three games and wondered why the youngster has not made headlines yet.
“Why is nobody talking about Alperen Sengun??”
Host of the “Rockets Talk” podcast Roosh Williams also noted that Şengün probably had the greatest realization that he’s also of MVP-caliber, while also commending his fellow Rocket Aaron Holiday.
“Alperen Şengün is playing like he had an epiphany and realized he can be one of the most dominant players in the NBA when he wants to be. Aaron Holiday +41 in 25 minutes is insane, this has been a trend this season, btw,” he said.
Williams also opened up about how the 23-year-old rising to the occasion was what the Rockets needed at this point and even for the future.
“The rebirth of top-15 Alperen Şengün is so important for this Rockets team, both in the present day and for the long-term future. It was legitimately deflating to watch him regress. Şengün bringing it like this on a nightly basis changes everything for the Rockets.”
Analyst Will suggested the Rockets give him some strategic plays and let him shine, saying:
“I can’t trade this player man. Not yet. Give him some spacing and consistent guard play and let him cook.”
The Rockets have often been under fire. They lost to a tanking team, the Chicago Bulls, in a shocking 132-124 loss last week, and were blasted by their own coach, Ime Udoka, for a lack of effort.
He clearly stated that his team disrespected the game, and they easily gave up over 40 points in the first quarter. It dropped their standing to sixth in the West.
On the other hand, former ESPN NBA analyst and CEO of The Ringer Bill Simmons criticized the lack of sync in the Rockets team that cost them a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. While the Wolves sealed the largest overtime comeback in the play-by-play era, Simmons noticed nothing but the Rockets’ lack of chemistry.
“The body language doctor is horrified,” Simmons said. “This is bad. First of all, it’s the most disconnected of all the playoff teams. That team is just so not on the same page. I don’t like the vibes. Something’s really wrong with the Rockets.”
He also criticized Udoka, who is in his third coaching season with the Rockets, for not adjusting the lineups despite having a veteran and a strong core.
