Entering last Thursday’s 2022 NBA draft, the future seemed obvious in Houston — but a little murky, all the same. The Rockets were projected to land Duke’s Paolo Banchero and form a dynamic two-man offensive game with second-year guard Jalen Green.
However, massive questions also existed with this selection, and specifically in regards to second-year center Alperen Sengun.
Would Banchero develop into a strong enough 3-point threat to leave space for Sengun to operate in the post? How would the defensive fit function with Sengun at center and Banchero at forward? Could Houston generate enough offensive touches for Sengun while creating a scheme around ball-dominant players like Green, Banchero and Kevin Porter Jr.?
Luckily, that’s not what happened on Thursday night. Paolo Banchero was shockingly picked at No. 1 overall by the Orlando Magic. That left Auburn’s Jabari Smith, pegged for months to be the No. 1 selection, to slide to the Rockets at No. 3 in the first round.
Nobody should be happier than Sengun.
Waking up: Jabari Smith was the best-case scenario for Sengun and I'd even argue for KPJ. No conflicting skillsets and should make both of their lives so much easier.
I do think his ceiling puts more pressure on Jalen Green to become the type of 1A star we're hoping for #Rockets
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) June 24, 2022
The 19-year-old from Auburn averaged 16.9 points and 7.4 rebounds as a freshman on his way to Associated Press All-American Second Team and All-SEC First Team honors. More impressively, he shot a staggering 42% on 3-pointers on more than five attempts per game. This is all in addition to 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks per game on defense.
Instead of a clunky fit, it’s as if Houston was able to design the ideal power forward to play next to their No. 16 overall pick from 2021.
Smith has the perfect defensive skillset to play next to Sengun and cover up any perceived defensive deficiencies on that end of the court. He’s far more instinctive on that end and can switch on to all positions. Best of all, at 6-foot-10 and 230 pounds, offers more than enough length and strength to make a difference in the paint.
Offensively, Smith’s perimeter shooting represents a whole new world for Sengun. Rather than clog the paint, Sengun can operate with his diverse array of moves in the low post and play to his strengths, Meanwhile Smith’s shooting not only pulls defensive attention away from Sengun but creates a whole new passing opportunity for the crafty center.
Sengun averaged 9.6 points and 2.6 assists in 20 minutes per game last season. Next to a dynamic shooting threat like Smith and paired with the combined creation efforts of Green and Porter Jr., these numbers have the potential to fly upwards in the 2022-23 season.
There has been criticism towards Smith over the idea that he isn’t quite yet prepared to create his shot on offense. However, the attention that Sengun and Green demand from defenses should help him quite a bit in this category. He won’t be expected to figure it out immediately.
A few weeks ago, Smith himself noted that, although he wasn’t expecting to drop in the draft, he’d compliment Sengun well with his shooting should he end up in Houston. Today, that possibility is a reality.
Jabari Smith says he hasn't thought much about falling to 3, but believes he and Alperen Sengun would be a good fit together
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) June 16, 2022
Houston was a huge winner on Thursday night when Smith fell to their pick. In context, Alperen Sengun may be an even bigger winner.
Head coach Stephen Silas now needs to figure out how best to deploy his new offensive duo in 2022-23. The success of the team likely depends on how well this frontcourt duo meshes on both ends of the court.
