Houston Rockets: Is Alperen Sengun an Underrated Defender?

Houston Rockets: Is Alperen Sengun Underappreciated as a Defensive Force? Alperen Sengun, a first-year All-Star, has proven to be a vital asset and foundational player for the Houston Rockets—an undisputed fact. His diverse offensive skill set, including advanced post moves, inventive scoring inside, strong rebounding, and impressive playmaking, has elevated the former lottery pick to a prominent role in today's NBA. However, questions have been raised regarding his defensive capabilities. As a center, he is expected to be a key figure in rim protection and now also tasked with switching onto perimeter players. Sengun's limited vertical leap and shot-blocking ability diverge from traditional big men defenders, which has affected perceptions of his defensive prowess. Despite these limitations, he remains capable of anchoring the Rockets' defensive efforts. Analysis shows Sengun allows a field goal percentage at the rim comparable to renowned shot-blockers like Brook Lopez, Jakob Poeltl, and Nic Claxton. While those players average over one block per game, Sengun has yet to reach that mark consistently. So, what makes him an effective defender? **Positioning and Agility** To com...