"Stop crying": Rockets coach Ime Udoka slaps an honest assessment on Alperen Sengun’s style of play
Over the past few seasons, Alperen Sengun has emerged as one of the top young centers in the NBA. As he continues to develop into a key piece for the Houston Rockets, coach Ime Udoka gave a blunt take on his game.
What makes Sengun such an interesting talent at the center position is his ability to facilitate. Similar to Nikola Jokic, though not to the same degree, he's capable of being a primary playmaking option in the frontcourt.
Following the Rockets' loss to the LA Clippers on Sunday, Udoka was asked his thoughts on Alperen Sengun. He brought up needing to be able to react to what the defense is giving him when it comes to scoring and passing. However, he also addressed that the 22-year-old needs to not get caught up in how the game is being called on any given night.
"Some nights is going to a scoring thing, some nights it's going to be faciliating, and he has to be able to do both," Udoka said. "My biggest thing with him is get the European out of your game, play through stuff, stop crying."
This offseason, the Rockets made a big commitment to Sengun by giving him a five-year, $185 million deal. Since signing the new contract, he's averaging 18.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists.
Alperen Sengun makes NBA history vs LA Clippers
While he ended the night with a double-double, it was a bit of a quiet outing for Alperen Sengun against the LA Clippers. Despite his numbers not jumping off the page, the Houston Rockets big man etched his name in the history books.
In 36 minute, Sengun finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. That put him over 900 assists for his career, making him the youngest center to achieve the feat. Sengun is almost a full year younger than Nikola Jokic and Bam Adebayo.
The Rockets have an abundance of young talent on their roster, but Alperen Sengun is one of the more interesting prospects. With his ability to run the offense at center, it gives their offense a dynamic that few teams have.
Before his somewhat quiet outing against the Clippers, Sengun was in the midst of one of the most impressive streaks of his career. Last week, he received Player of the Week honors alongside Jalen Brunson after nearly averaging a triple-double.
Through the first six weeks of the season, the Rockets find themselves in third place in the West with a 16-8 record. Among the many catalysts in their success thus far has been the all-around play from their starting center.