Inside The Rockets

Rockets Need More Improvement From Alperen Sengun

Alperen Sengun has been growing, but the Houston Rockets may need more.

Jeremy Brener

Nov 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) handles the ball against Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Nov 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) handles the ball against Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images / Erik Williams-Imagn Images
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Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun has dazzled in his four NBA seasons, emerging as a franchise cornerstone.

However, Sengun may need to grow more if the Rockets want to seek the ultimate title of NBA champions.

"The Rockets’ leap from out of the West’s basement last season was fueled primarily by their defense, yet Sengun isn’t much of a deterrent at the rim and may never be. There could be enough perimeter defense around Sengun to allow him to make do on that end by leveraging his size and IQ, much like Jokic has in recent years. But, given his current shortcomings at such a critical defensive position, it remains to be seen whether the Rockets (or any team, for that matter) can vault to Denver-level good with merely an All-Star-caliber offensive hub, and not Jokic himself," Justin Verrier of The Ringer writes.

The Jokic comparisons for Sengun aren't new, but he needs to do more on the defensive end if he wants to get closer to the three-time MVP.

The Rockets don't need Sengun to be Jokic, especially with all of the talent surrounding him. But they do need Sengun to be better on the defensive end.

While he has made improvements this season, he needs to do a little more if he wants to get the Rockets further up the ladder in the Western Conference.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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