Where Will Rockets' Alperen Sengun Rank Among Bigs Next Season?
The Houston Rockets' 2022-23 season had many reasons why it should be forgotten. However, they finished the year with the NBA's second-most rebounds per game (55.9).
Rockets center Alperen Sengun was the catalyst for this remarkable statistic. Sengun averaged 9.0 rebounds per game, the 19th-most in the NBA. His 3.2 offensive rebounds per game were the fifth-most (four-way tie for fourth) in the league.
The Rockets have made a lot of moves this offseason as they hired a new coach, drafted two high-profile players, signed two big-name free agents and were runner-ups in the Summer League.
Sengun's third season is expected to be much different with all of the changes around him. Additionally, like all athletes, he's hoping to take a leap next season and cement himself as one of the better centers in the NBA.
Bleacher Report predicts Sengun finishes next season as the 24th-best big man in the association.
"Alperen Sengun improved his scoring efficiency and showcased more of the passing skill that's going to separate him from post centers," Bleacher Report writes. "He's gone from older-school big man pre-draft to super versatile in Houston with his crafty footwork, improved ball-handling and vision."
While Sengun thrived on the offensive end last season, his defense could've used some work. Rockets new coach Ime Udoka might be the perfect leader to improve Sengun's defensive struggles.
Udoka was the Boston Celtics coach in 2021-22 and was the mastermind behind their NBA-best defensive rating. In 2022-23, the Rockets had the second-worst defensive rating in the association (118.6), so they could definitely utilize his methodology.
Bleacher Report explained that Udoka is the right man to fix Sengun's defense, but he had one other flaw last season that Udoka can build on.
"(Sengun) took a step backward last season as a three-point shooter," Bleacher Report writes. "But Sengun may wind up being so good with the ball in his hands that Udoka will be hesitant to take him off the floor."
