Why Houston is so much better this year

Is the Houston Rockets early season success for real? In this enhanced segment from the Thinking Basketball podcast, Cody and Ben break down Alperen Penguin's 2024 leap to stardom and why the Rockets have improved enough to make the playoffs in the competitive Western Conference.
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Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
Stats courtesy:
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Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.

[@Jeff_2x]

Thank Goodness the organization realized Sengun is their future and decided to go all in and run their offense pretty much entirely through him

[@Lucas-ElijahSadiq]

I think they knew that. It takes a couple of years and vet leadership to do it successfully. Running the offense through Sengun his rookie year with the roster they had then was rough.

[@t4d0W]

@@Lucas-ElijahSadiq I think it could have happened last year. But Silas Jr. still chose to put the playmaking burden on the shoulders of KPJ and Green. I dunno Silas Jrs' agenda really as he kinda got shafted inheriting a playoff team with Harden to baby sitting an immediate rebuild/tank mode. But GM Stone getting these veteran pieces with all that cap space and hiring a results driven defensive coach in Udoka finally has this mix of talents playing respectable basketball.

[@xavierb9061]

Hes at best a third option. Especially in the west. There are 10 teams in west with two players better...how can compete?

[@Lucas-ElijahSadiq]

@@xavierb9061I'm sorry, I don't follow how your comment pertains to the original comment's point.

[@Batumtl]

Bet you said the same thing about the Joker in his third year@@xavierb9061

[@berryesseen]

In a recent interview, Alperen said that he added the one-legged jumper to his skill set just by working on it in the entire summer. He also said he wants to add new things to his game every single year. This year’s thing was that shot. This is the mentality I want to see from a young talent. He also improved his English a lot in the last 2 years. He didn’t speak a word once he first came to the league. Now I actually enjoy his interviews. He doesn’t give standard boring answers and he genuinely tries to give some informative answers.

[@hasanhasanoglu816]

I want Rockets to work because Şengün's style is honestly very fun to watch

[@Hoops_Fan]

Letting Sengun drop to 16 in the 2021 draft was a mistake. Houston saw the upside and snagged him.

[@andysauro1500]

Imagine OKC kept him lol

[@bjrnthebootybandit]

Most European based players will fall in the draft. His draft selection was crazy since he was MVP in a league that's stronger than any D1 division

[@andysauro1500]

@@bjrnthebootybandit I was watching him COOK former NBA roleplayers over there at 18 years old. Couldn't believe he dropped to 16th. Had him as a risky 3rd best in the class, but no later than a 7th pick.

[@bjrnthebootybandit]

​@@andysauro1500 not being a lottery pick is a criminal offense.

[@laluna6245]

houston did not do anything, it was pure luck for them, they accepted a player who okc picked.

[@andysauro1500]

Dillon Brooks jumper has changed A LOT. It's not directly noticeable because it's still the awkward wide stance and semi-push shot form, but he HOLDS HIS RELEASE all the way. Watching Memphis tape you can see his follow through changed from shot to shot. It's far more uniform now.

[@accenon_]

i thought his jumpshot looiked different

[@onyxblack1167]

He torched the USA in the bronze medal match during the world cup. I'm really surprised at his shooting

[@michaelbarnes2126]

Sengun is really damn good, Ime is such a brilliant coach to come there the 1st year and realize the center is their best chance at a stable offense

[@Luckydaturtle]

If anyone is curious, Sengun did grow 2 inches from 6’9 to 6’11 over the summer.

[@the77th]

Made him EVEN SCARIER!

[@Srbenda126]

Bruh I grew 1 inch when I was 13 and completely stopped at 14, it's not fair

[@elmehdinafia1237]

Why do we have to believe that? He still looks the same..

[@SinaArsani]

he changed his shoes

[@hobowithagun24]

@@elmehdinafia1237you don’t watch the rockets then. He looks the same height as Jokic. Not as wide or as long of a wingspan but height wise they looked the same last matchup

[@erstimus5439]

I think Dillon Brook's shooting improvements are real. Even if his percentages don't end up being that much improved, if you take a look at his shot chart this year vs last year on statmuse, it's completely different. He's nearly completely cut out the awful midrange attempts that he basically shot the grizzilies out of the playoffs with.

[@LetsFifa2013]

I like how he shot really well from 3 in FIBA and was like “oh yeah in Toronto they have this machine that tells you if you shoot your arc wrong so I just remembered the right arc number instead”

[@chrissullivan6572]

​@@LetsFifa2013Lemme find out Brooks is a fuckin computer lmmfao.

[@chrissullivan6572]

Yea, Memphis was jus letting bro do whatever kinda. Udoka has added a lotta structure to Houston and it's really payin off.

[@berryesseen]

Dillon Brooks is fixed now. He is an okay player in the worst case scenario. I don’t know what he went through but it’s working. Rockets have a good vibe right now. Regardless of the results, they are competitive from minute 0 to 48. That alone is very valuable.

[@PepeVoltaireBartolemeMontesqui]

He’s unstoppable rn

[@jcw034]

Skillset and IQ is about 85% of the game. If you get the right pieces and smarts they can work. Ime came in and said this is what we are doing. Players bought in and now you winning games.

[@Umuttll]

ı love Alperen jokic doncic sabonis type player because NBA has recently turned into athletics porn, players who are super athletes but have low game intelligence have started to appear, which ends the fun of the game.

[@letsmakeit110]

the average player is like 6'6 lets not kid ourselves you need genetic gifts as well

[@jcw034]

@letsmakeit110 no one said size isn't a thing. I am just speaking to in general on what you need on a court. 5 shooters isn't gonna help you win

[@L2kneel]

@@Umuttllmf picks all European players😭 just say you don’t think American players are smart😂😂😂

[@johnmarkson1998]

@@L2kneel nah its just that eu players usually cant just jump out the gym or burst past players with extreme speed so they have to learn how to be skillful to score. in terms of IQ id say someone like lebron or shai is smarter then someone like giannis or wemby for example.

[@janjanplease]

Houston should really build around Sengun.

[@mr.bellefleur]

Went from the greatest ymca player to real deal love the growth

[@ThinkingBasketball]

I miss YMCA Sengun, but real-deal Sengun is also what I always wanted. They grow up so fast.

[@mr.bellefleur]

@@ThinkingBasketball sky the limit for him

[@mr.bellefleur]

@@ThinkingBasketball was thinking you should do a tyrese video the one from the pacers he been on fire wuth the assist

[@alexandreazevedo9906]

Sengun is HIM Now we need one of Green/Bari/Amen to step up

[@Crueltyfree28]

Everyone is now riding the Sengun electric train 😭😭😭🚀🚀🚀 He made it #AlperenŞengün #nbaAllstar

[@erikchristensen174]

The music was a nice change up, made it feel more standalone instead of an excerpt

[@2stepjoey]

Thanks for this breakdown of the rockets. They have improved so much this season and this video was the best coverage of them as individuals and team to explain why.

[@Plague_Doc22]

Ben, you need a painting behind you. Preferably a giant image of Cody.

[@ThinkingBasketball]

He keeps saying he won't pose for one.

[@t4d0W]

Good follow up to your YMCA Legend Sengun vid from awhile back. What I noticed from the old video was the finger pointing on defense then because the wings weren't helping when they should and it was putting too much on Sengun to make a decision where the ball was coming. Because he's smart enough to know where his spot should be (even faster this year) and track the ball coming at the rim which is even easier now he's 6'11". With capable vets like FVV and Brooks making things easier to stay assignment on defense, so can Sengun playing the drop and everyone else. That one legged jumper he added is amazing for his game since I feel his floater/push shot has a limited ceiling to it. Even if he protects the ball well when he tries to finish either hand. If he can blend that off balance jumper with playmaking, he's going to be special. Also great that the coach/staff recognizes him as a true offensive hub. Which should benefit an athletic guard like Green who can get easy baskets going downhill or working his spots. Kinda reminds me of the Sabonis/Fox arc last year. But even the rest of young shooting wings like Keegan Murray are starting to benefit.

[@berlin4103]

Yeah i remember that bizzaro jokic video😅

[@DSPIRACY]

it's real when thinking basketball makes a video about a player or team 🌝

[@zaidkidwai7831]

Haven’t been proud to call myself a Rockets fan in a while. Feels great.

[@urbaindelva7869]

Signing vets was a plus for the Rockets, but the hiring of Ime Udoka was their biggest acquisition of the off-season. He actually has them playing like an NBA team.

[@Teenieweeniemussolini]

2:15 damn that was subtle but nasty

[@DSPIRACY]

amen's iq + sengun's iq could be scary in the future 👀

[@cemgul9385]

Sengun is very smart young guy. He just need experience. Couple years after he is gonna be veteran.

[@luckymottu7841]

been waiting on yall to do one for him, thank you

[@nightlightb6549]

Love his touch in the paint. He should absolutely take that 3rd year leap once his team is fully on board and he gets athletic cutters like Amen and Jalen.

[@rayneozier]

I’m biased because I love Jalen Green and Sengun. I’ve been rooting for them and the Rockets pretty hard since they drafted them. I think they have found an identity and that is a HUGE step in becoming a competitive NBA team.

[@viewtiiful730]

Hey, first off, love the content. Secondly, what software do you use to edit your clips? When you draw the circles and cut and paste different clip segments together?

[@5oloswag]

I love this channel and you alls content so much, you continuously lift the vail on the occult knowledge that is basketball plays, spane pick and roles and what not, my only issue is not enough content. Let’s go yall. There’s plenty to make videos about, we need like a 10X increase in output.

[@Lordandmaster26]

Sengun doesn’t need to be Dirk but if he can develop as shooter his ceiling will go from all star to hall of famer

[@accenon_]

sengun has the capability to become a ture superstar. I think if his jump shooting becomes more consistent, and he is able to shoot a little better, he can be top 5 center in the league

[@Jeff_2x]

The Houston Rockets really have a baby Jokic man

[@dimitrijetucovic1307]

Not even close to Jokić

[@Crueltyfree28]

Like Kobe and Jordan?

[@benj10s]

As a lifelong nuggets fan, he's the closest thing to Jokic we've seen yet@@dimitrijetucovic1307 . But definitely baby Jokic, just like Baby Fed. Won't ever be the GOAT the original is.

[@alioli1998]

@@dimitrijetucovic1307that’s why he said baby

[@BB-oy9kn]

@@dimitrijetucovic1307 Of course you have to compare Sengun with the second year's Jokic not with the actual multi-MVP version. And yes both their impact and their style of play looks very similar in a lot of aspects in that specific moment of their careers

[@I0amARES]

Şengün is the pride of our country

[@rohanm7144]

Would love to see you do a breakdown of Dillon Brooks and his defense, plus the improvements he's made to his offensive game this season

[@shelovet0mmy]

Can we do a dive on Haliburton and Lamelo, how their games are similar and what makes them so effective as lead guards?

[@marceloasensiofilho3833]

Sengun is Houston's franchise player. He will be better than Green

[@alexandreazevedo9906]

Hes always been

[@berryesseen]

No doubt about that.

[@judoka.]

why does he have to be better? why can’t they both shine? why can’t they both be great?

[@alik5972]

Yess, now my boy Alpi Şengün is receiving some love

[@howardmann8689]

Fvv is a great passer. Most people don't recognize how great his passes are

[@Th3WhiteNoise]

As long as he is a willing defender/rim protector is a plus for him.

[@ATF-]

It’s crazy how good he is😂😂 the development and extra 2 inches transformed his entire game

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Bringing in Udoka was a very smart move. He seems to be a good coach and after the debacle he went through in Boston he must have a tom brady sized chip on his shoulder so he has a ton to prove. Van Fleet is a good pick up. Having a young team that can grow together is great but bring in a veteran point guard see what happens... remember when CP3 took a bunch of guys half his age to the playoffs?

[@tajmula671]

i’ve been talking about al p since his rookie year he was bursting with potential ⏸️

[@dariobalado4054]

Where can I get the Thinking Basketball mug? Please share link, I can only find sweatshirts and t-shirts. And please also ship to Ireland!

[@phothewin6019]

Overweight Europeans dominating the NBA. What a time to be a basketball fan.

[@chrissullivan6572]

If you told me Jokic or Luka drink 2 beers at halftime, I wouldn't be surprised

[@Adj8llk]

Jokic is not overweight. Luka is also in shape this season

[@redman6790]

😂😂😂

[@kuruptzZz]

Let's not set unfair short term expectations. This is a very young team. What this shows is that they have big time potential. Their most clutch pickup was udoka IMO

[@mmd7773]

please make a video on Andrei Kirilenko! Or a video on the most scalable players among the all time greats!

[@mksee66]

Sengun is really good. Very frustrating as a laker fan seeing him carve lakers' defense.

[@Plague_Doc22]

I like Codys "mic stand" lol.

[@jamanwashington6426]

I believe okc or houston rockets will be the next dynasty and the other team a lottery usage for a super star or 2. Its almost set up that way through history. All that young talent for both teams and one will be a dynasty and the other will be used for lottery picks and a potiental star or two coming to the team. Just my personal opinion

[@docskilly]

Cody mentioned in podcast episode 235 that there’s room for more Jennifer Egan references on the show? A Visit from the Sengun Squad is right there…

[@CerebralBuckets]

This man said Iverson '99 flashbacks. I am impressed at the basketball wisdom displayed here.

[@jeremyhart557]

I need one of these on the magic

[@Travel2EuropeUS]

pasor tall guy is precious

[@rahmelw13]

Please do a video on the JB and Porzingis connection

[@ToDiavatirio]

Let the next one be about orlando magic and their defence please!!!!!

[@des8893]

I'm pretty sure Marine Johannès is the WNBA player Cody was trying to remember, regarding 1-legged 3 point shots.

[@TylerVincent-uq7pg]

Curious if you’ll be doing a video on the magics defense. They are pretty intense. Just sayin lol

[@SenorAzazel]

weirdly enough Sengun was originally drafted by *OKC* now imagine if the rockets got *Chet* instead of *OKC* this is a nice young rebuilding team, Udoka was the right coach to get for these guy's defensive minded an holds them accountable and gets on them.

[@kevinmontique7818]

They were different draft classes Sengun was ‘21, Chet ‘22 Plus Sengun was a mid 1st rounder The real “what if” here is if sengun was in okc’s offense 👀

[@danielgalea8499]

It's still incredible to me the Spurs passed over him. Imagine him and Wemby together.

[@Gamer-jv8uv]

Sengun gives me a lot more appreciation for Jokic because sengun already has the game in the palm of his hand and that’s without the flashy passes or fadeaway threes. That’s how big the gap between jokic and everyone else is

[@AreYouFNQRAZII]

Need that Ant & the timberwolves video this year❤

[@ffbeexaid4509]

We still need to win on the road though and hope Jalen Green can be a more consistent scorer.

[@michaelauberry1564]

Weirdly enough, I was watching the Thinking Basketball video on Sengun when I got the notification for this

[@DSPIRACY]

facts.

[@i_fuze_hostages6]

Literally 😂

[@p382742937423y4]

Great minds think alike

[@umutkuzu2544]

One of the main reasons: Alperen "The whirling dervish dunker"

[@twoface9959]

I’m surprised there’s no mention of Kevin Porter Jr. not being there and how that is impacting the Rockets.

[@berryesseen]

With Alperen’s rise, I recently thought about the value of picking from high seeds. You can tank and keep picking from 1st-4th year after year but in the end, your 16th pick carries you to whatever achievement you’ll do. If you pick someone like Wemby, it’s obviously a greatly valuable pick, but it happens maybe once in a decade for only first pick. There are more misses than correct picks. Reigning FMVP is 41st pick for god sake. Sengun is definitely the go-to guy of Rockets. No question about it. I don’t think this will change in the near future. We have seen enough.

[@t4d0W]

The Rockets did not have much talent to work with their roster in the 2021 draft. So essentially hitting 'twice' in the top 3 and top 20 is a blessing. Let alone hoping that top 3 pick is true franchise altering player. Plus every team missed on Jokic especially the bad teams who were looking to draft the consensus best big back in 2014 in Joel Embiid. Hell the Nuggets ended up with both the 16th pick in Nurkic and that 41st pick in Jokic.

[@michaelmcphee2006]

I was wrong about the Rockets and I'm mad about it because I hate the Rockets. But I do like Sengun.

[@uraxxeri101]

btw, have you ever noticed how flexible sengun's body is for a big . there is maybe not a comparison

[@terencewinters2154]

VV is as cp3 game controller like as it gets . Will it last ?

[@dionruffin3996]

Imagine if the Warriors drafted Sengun 😳

[@lawbinson]

Would love it if they could add a Zach Collins type 5 so Sengun isn’t the only interior defender.

[@t4d0W]

Its not like Sengun isn't bad protecting the paint if he's tracking the ball. In fact he's growing better as a defender when he's brought away from the rim via defending screen actions or switches. At least they have Jabari Jr whose 6'11" with his 7'1" wingspan to help in the back line.

[@dsl69]

OKC fumbled the bag

[@94mikless]

Sengun is an all star. Y'all just don't know it yet.

[@bjrnthebootybandit]

Dillon Brooks has been insane.

[@Adj8llk]

True generational talent unlike Wembustyama

[@unclemike2k]

Love this channel

[@carlosateroanalisisr6ydema264]

Bruh Dillion Brooks shooting form looks way more fucked up than last year but he is now hitting 3s so Im in awe.

[@cemyuceturk2939]

Basketball is much more to watch when big guys can make shoot, assists and run the ball.

[@johnmarkson1998]

in this era of zero defense everyone can shoot assist and run the ball.

[@cemyuceturk2939]

@@johnmarkson1998 they do but old times is more comfortable for them because nobody can run like these times

[@horium2501]

I always listened to these two but never watched them. They look nothing like I imagined them to look.

[@rubenvalce]

I’m saying!!

[@uraxxeri101]

FVV was all the missing ingredient to let Alpi excel

[@willyb8840]

Crazy how 2k 100% predicted his game

[@nellyville69]

His game reminds me of a athletic version of Dirk

[@rodneysam3574]

Two reasons: Dillon Brooks and Fred VanFleet. They got better players in their starting lineup.

[@murat-sz4it]

Don't some of the people writing here know that Sengun is only 21 years old?

[@morganm1868]

bens hair has more volume than James Hardens scoring in 2018

[@MaxVolumeHD]

Is that guy's mic sitting on a costco size box of gold fish?

[@codingstyle9480]

There is one guy in this team currently who is not suitable for the chemistry coach Ime is trying to build. It is Jalen Green. He may be athletic but he has low basketball IQ and not a team player at all. Defensively he is not above average either. You may see him score over 30 points sometimes but look at his efficiency. He plays on his own most of the time in offense. When the ball gets to him once, it is impossible to get it back. Yet his efficiency is so low and he is so inconsistent and not reliable. When he speaks, you think a high school kid is talking. I think he should be traded. It will take ages for us to see a mature Jalen Green both mentally and game-wise.

[@pattrickmerete]

Lol. They're a "consistent" Jalen Green away from being a contender. If Jalen is not scoring more than 18 pts, no matter how good their team is playing, they lose the game. Sengun and Jalen are the Rockets version of Shaq or Gasol and Kobe. It's like a rookie version of Jokic and Murray or Fox and Sabonis. They're a very young team and you're expecting them to play as if they're vets in their prime?

[@t4d0W]

Thing is Green is the only 'fast' element that the Rockets have. The rest of their lineup are made for half court offense which is nice for the playoffs but they don't have a guy who can scream down the court off transition or when their playmakers get the ball going the other way. You gotta give him more time to get used to playing off ball after two seasons of being force fed by Silas Jr along with KPJ as the playmakers. Because Sengun can also use more above the rim finishers cutting to the basket operating at the mid-range.

[@judoka.]

this is such an ignorant comment.

[@maartenvz]

The rockets have vastly improved but i dont think its enough yet to reach the playoffs. Playins would already be a great accomplishment but the west is so deep this year, i see 12 teams (yes memphis as well) that should be in playoff contention so at least 2 of them wont even make the playins (probably 2 teams that get struck by injuries)

[@beegtea]

Why is Cody in a sauna

[@nicholaspryplesh9396]

Music threw me off

[@_camy_]

Not really gonna watch this video but bullet points Ime UDOKA Better vets Sengun

[@nbapbaupdate8338]

Houston Rockets need build around Alperen Sengun over Jalen Green 💯

[@rollysuaiso7811]

Trade Cade for him? 9cat 12t H2H

[@otdream5502]

baby jokic

[@djdrake111]

First 🎉

[@tbsbloodheist8986]

houston is denver 2.0 lol literally.

[@zillxza]

Thunder sold

[@Ral-wv8ui]

Isn't it this the same guy who created a video that was looking alpi the silly with his mocking words all day on the video 10 months before?What happened that you jumped on the hype train cuz that he can make all star?I guess all of these KZbin audience like to see how would you even throw the basketball in real life and more interestingly have you ever tried it in your entire life?While having nothing with the game of basketball it's so interesting to see you within the stage.

[@user-ty4jy4cp3r]

What's up with the annoying background music?

[@blydenwade940]

You’re a dawg

[@p382742937423y4]

You are a cat

[@FirashAdryan]

I might get some flak for this, but I thought, since he was a rookie, that the Rockets should build around Sengun, not Jalen Green. I’ve sold my Franchise-Player Jalen Green stocks a long time ago. Basically, I’m not a fan of athletic, shot chucking small guards. Those guys are a dime a dozen. Sengun is not.

[@t4d0W]

Green still has value with his skillset that can work with Sengun. But Sengun is definitely getting paid more when his extension comes and the Rockets are probably gonna low ball Green. If he thinks he's worth more the Rockets FO will let the market dictate his price and they get to match the offer sheet.

[@judoka.]

you saying he’s a shot chucker says a lot about you.

[@FirashAdryan]

@@judoka. what does it say?

[@FirashAdryan]

@@t4d0W most definitely. Best case scenario, Jalen Green will the Jamal Murray to Sengun’s Jokic. Idk if they can reach Jokic & Murray level, but those two can definitely work. Jalen Green can be an All Star for sure.

[@judoka.]

@@FirashAdryan that you’re a casual who doesn’t watch the rockets & only listens to false narratives.