Houston Rockets Coach Ime Udoka To Build Around Alperen Sengun's Skill Sets
HOUSTON — Coach Ime Udoka already has plans on how he wants to help the Houston Rockets improve their play during the 2022-23 season.
Per the Houston Chronicle, Udoka plans to utilize Alperen Sengun differently from former coach Stephen Silas to use his best attribute as a passing big, similar to his idol Denver Nuggets' star Nikola Jokic.
Udoka also added more changes that include minimizing Sengun's struggles with drop coverage on the defensive end.
"Anytime you have a big that can initiate the offense, whether from the high post or off the block, you want to take advantage of his skill set," Udoka said. "He’s deadly in the pocket. You can hit him on the half roll, and he can make all the plays there. That makes it easier for everyone else."
It comes as no surprise Udoka would like to use Sengun similar to Jokic. He credited his ideal to Sengun's endless comparisons to the two-time MVP, which even Jokic failed to deny.
Following the Rockets' 129-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets in November, Sengun's performance left an impression on Jokic, who believed Houston should run more of their offense through the second-year big man.
"I think they need to play a little bit more through him," Jokic said. "This guy has the talent. He can pass the ball. He can post up. He has the touch around the rim. You can see some different moves that he’s made."
Sengun had a slow start to his sophomore season, but it did not take long before the Turkish native showcased All-Star potential. He averaged a career-best 14.8 points on 55.3 percent shooting, 9.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists across 75 games.
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