At this rate, Alperen Sengun will offer himself two rewards: the Most Improved Player trophy and a selection for the All-Star Game… We're not there yet, but the Rockets' pivot is progressing from week to week, and last night, he compiled 37 points and 11 rebounds against the Pelicans. The opportunity to sign a career record, facing a big name in his position, Jonas Valanciunas.
“I'm not that strong, but I'm fast. And since he's not as fast as me, we just attacked him.” explains the Turk after the Rockets' narrow victory. “He ended up with a foul problem, and that wasn't a good thing for them. »
Alperen Sengun is only 21 years old
Author of a “double-double”, Jonas Valanciunas came out for six fouls, four minutes from the end, trapped by a baseline pass from Alperen Sengun. Aged 21, the Houston pivot then took advantage as he scored 11 points in the last five minutes! He has already had three games with 30 points or more, and this is his third game in a row with 20 points or more. This is only the second time, in his young career, that he has had three games in a row with 20 points or more.
“I’m only 21 so I still have a long way to go,” he continues. “I will give the best of myself every day on the pitch, fight, help my teammates. And when it's my day, it's my day! “.
Alongside him, Jabari Smith Jr. had the luxury of standing up to Zion Williamson with 26 points and 11 rebounds. After signing his career record against the Hawks on Wednesday, with 34 units, he is more and more comfortable alongside Alpereb Sengun.
Jabari Smith Jr. is inspired by the gestures of the “Splash Brothers”
“You can see he's very confident in finding his positions and using his height and wingspan to get above defenders.” reports Ime Udoka. “It’s just a matter of time until he gets to that level and does it consistently.” »
Renowned as a good shooter at the time of the Draft, Jabari Smith Jr. let loose this week with a nice 9 out of 15 3-pointers in three matches. On the advice of his father, he watched videos of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The goal ? Improve the end of your gesture. The rest is confidence, and therefore regularity.
“I'm just hot, and I'm trying to find my shot” he explained after his card against the Hawks. “My teammates continued to find me, and it’s nice. I come in with this energy, and it’s something that has to be constant.”
