With Alperen Sengun unavailable for the past three games, the Rockets have opted to use power forward Jabari Smith as their starting center rather than moving Jock Landale or another bench player into that role.
According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, Houston’s coaching staff has been interested since training camp in taking a longer look at Smith as a small-ball center. Head coach Ime Udoka said that getting the opportunity to use Smith in that role is a silver lining of Sengun’s absence.
“I love his versatility. He can go both ways, as far as upsizing, downsizing, and he’s comfortable in that,” Udoka said of Smith. “There’s advantages in both. Really can take advantage of some of the five men in the league. He’s agile enough, strong enough to defend multiple positions. I like what he does there, the versatility he gives us.”
The early returns on the move have been positive, albeit in a small sample size. The Rockets had a -1.8 net rating with Smith on the floor though their first 64 games — that number has jumped to +14.1 in 92 minutes across the past three games, all wins.
Here’s more on the Rockets:
- Winners of five consecutive games, the Rockets are refusing to fall out of the hunt for a play-in spot and sit 3.5 games behind the Warriors and Lakers. Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (subscription required) takes a look at how the team has thrived as of late by making offensive adjustments necessitated by not having Sengun available.
- Asked to evaluate Sengun’s third NBA season, Udoka said the Rockets’ center is “not even close to reaching his ceiling,” per ClutchFans (Twitter video link). “His future is bright, basically,” Udoka continued. “All the things that we really challenged him with, he kind of stepped up to the plate there and improved in certain areas. Next steps are the shooting and some consistency things.”
- Count Paul George among the NBA veterans who are high on Cam Whitmore‘s potential. As ClutchFans relays (via Twitter video), the Rockets rookie was the first player George mentioned in the latest episode of his podcast (YouTube link) when he was asked about players who have had strong under-the-radar seasons. “He’s a player that is going to shake up some things in Houston and can be a star player,” George said. “I saw stardom on both ends. He played hard on both ends. He can shoot it. He can handle. He’s explosive. He was strong. He had a nastiness to him that you don’t really see in a lot of super young guys. He was trying to challenge me (when the Clippers faced the Rockets). He was challenging Kawhi (Leonard).”
Sengun is a no-brainer max easily, which is not even a question. I believe he is the franchise face and leader.
Will Rockets give Jalen Green max this summer?
My Prediction:
1. trade Green to Spurs (2024 Raptors first round picks and a peanut)
2. give Green 4-year $128 million contract. (compare to Jordan Poole, very low efficiency)
As someone who watches every rockets game, they are better without Sengun. There are times I love Sengun, but there are also times I hate watching him. He’s awful at defense, at spacing, at setting screens, at playing with pace, at pretty much all the things that makes the rest of the team better. And defensively he makes the same mistakes over and over again, to the point he makes average bigs look like all stars. I think if Sengun can develop a consistent 3-point shot than that could help correct some of the spacing issues, but I’m not sure he’s capable of fixing the other stuff anymore. I think that’s a big part why they traded for Adams, and why it wouldn’t surprise me to see them draft a rim running big, if they don’t go after a shooter. The problem with Sengun is since he can’t shoot the 3, and he’s not a lob threat, there’s no where for him to go after he sets the pick and teams know that, and just pack the paint. Rockets can’t pay him a max deal. They should trade him while his value is high
He should be playing PF
For Udoka first yr. I think they are doing well. Sengun and Smith are solid bigs. Both are part of the new big generation. But to me Green is the guy. He is the most talented. Rockets still have time to feel these players out. Truth is they would have no problem moving their young talent. Patience patience patience …..