Second-year center Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 17 points and 10 rebounds in Sunday’s loss to Portland, though he played only 25 minutes and didn’t step on the court during the fourth quarter. In that period, Houston closed the gap to as narrow as five points.
In postgame comments, head coach Stephen Silas elaborated on his thinking, and he said it was a reflection of Sengun’s lack of defense.
Per Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle:
They went at him in pick-and-roll. Every single one.
Granted, as evidenced by Damian Lillard’s historic and career-high 71 points, it wasn’t as if any of Houston’s defensive strategies worked.
To Sengun’s credit, he accepted responsibility postgame.
Silas also said he benched Alperen Sengun at the end of the game because of Sengun’s defense. “Yes. They went at him in pick-and-roll. Every single one.”
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) February 27, 2023
Sengun didn’t finish the game during Friday night’s loss at Golden State, either. In that game, Silas indicated postgame that he believed it was a problem specific to the Warriors.
“The switching (defense) is more difficult when Alpi is on the floor,” Silas said of Sengun. “That makes the defense a little more difficult, against this team in particular.”
After that game, Sengun briefly tweeted (before deleting) emojis indicating frustration, though he clarified that it was due to disappointment with his own performances in recent weeks.
Talked to @AlperenSengun who wants to make it clear this (now deleted) tweet is being taken out of context.
“I haven’t played well the last 6 or 7 games & I’m mad at myself. I’m missing every shot.Thats why I tweeted that. But people are misunderstanding it. People are waiting… https://t.co/qsYB6aYLa8 pic.twitter.com/cdIR86KRzk
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) February 25, 2023
Now 20 years old, Sengun is averaging 14.9 points (55.5% FG, 33.3% on 3-pointers), 8.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 28.2 minutes per game this season, though he’s clearly a work in progress on defense.
With the NBA’s worst record, Sengun and the rebuilding Rockets (13-47) will look to improve things on Tuesday versus Denver, with tipoff set for 7:00 p.m. Central at Toyota Center in Houston. The home team will enter with nine consecutive defeats.
Silas seems frustrated with Alpi’s defensive effort 😶 pic.twitter.com/KRnKQcd2kq
— winston #the6foot5 (@the6foot5) February 27, 2023
"Come on, Alpi!" Jabari Smith Jr yelled after Sengun didn't come over to help on Portland's first basket of the game pic.twitter.com/jyEgOcIuOe
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 27, 2023
