Sengun's Ceiling Next Season

[Black Jack]

He looks more like a #3 or 4 on a title team to me. He is short for his position and not athletic, not a great combo. Looks like an average player to me, maybe make one asg or something like that.

People think Jokic is unathletic but he actually is nimble, able to run the point at 7 foot which is insane, plus he's massive. Every 6-10 guy with some skills cannot be compared to the Jokic skills + size package.

I was just referencing his offense, I think his defense is bad enough right now that he'd be more like a #3. But if he can figure out how to improve that, his ceiling could be a #2 overall. He's young, so still time for that part to develop.

#2 big men are plus defenders unless they are mvp level at offense. I don't see it for this guy. He's overrated.

[Billl]

I've got him on my "most overrated" list. He's a scoring big that isn't very efficient and isn't very good defensively. I don't think there is a universe where he's a true #1 option, but you have to run offense through him for him to be effective. If he improves his jumper at least in the midrange, then maybe he's a #2 , but I think he's always going to have defensive limitations.

[DonaldSanders]

#2 big men are plus defenders unless they are mvp level at offense. I don't see it for this guy. He's overrated.

Yeah, that's the issue for Sengun. If the defense isn't there, which it hasn't been, he needs to be a monster on offense. There was a game last year where the Rockets actually sat Sengun a bunch in the 2nd half vs. the dubs, as he was getting eaten alive on D while Looney was bothering him on O.

Right now I agree he is overrated, but young players do improve so I think where he is now is the floor going forward, and he has the opportunity to grow from here. His choice whether he digs in on defense and improves or not.

[freestyler34]

People thinking Sengun is Kanter on defence prolly never watched him more than few games, People even says his foot is slower than Jokic in here

According to RealGM folks players have to average 30+ points to be good so i dont blame posters here but if you really watched Sengun his gravity on offence is really big, keep getting double teamed on offence and players around him find open shots most of the time,also hes playmaking is one of the best.

[Big nick]

As one of the best thunder fans of all time, I believe the rockets will be very tough to beat this year if kd can stay healthy.

[Sane]

#2 big men are plus defenders unless they are mvp level at offense. I don't see it for this guy. He's overrated.

There was a game last year where the Rockets actually sat Sengun a bunch in the 2nd half vs. the dubs, as he was getting eaten alive on D while Looney was bothering him on O.

This never happened. Sengun sat most of that second half because he was missing open shots. Regular occurrence for any scorer.

Sengun has been the starting rim protector for a top 10 defense for two consecutive seasons. That's more than passable. If a passable rim protector can put up 20 points+ points and 5+ assists they are a clear net positive. You can search the entirety of NBA history and you'll find that to be the case 100% of the time.

Teams that win titles have to finish with a top ten defense (and top 10 offense). He's cleared that line fully - even demonstrating that level of defense in the playoffs.

Maybe you've only watched a handful of games in the past couple of years, which is an innocent mistake.

[Sane]

People thinking Sengun is Kanter on defence prolly never watched him more than few games, People even says his foot is slower than Jokic in here

According to RealGM folks players have to average 30+ points to be good so i dont blame posters here but if you really watched Sengun his gravity on offence is really big, keep getting double teamed on offence and players around him find open shots most of the time,also hes playmaking is one of the best.

I saw that comment about foot speed too, so hilarious. Are people just going off a scouting report or something? Sengun is faster, quicker and more agile than Jokic. This dude is doing spin moves on the regular. He crossed over a guard the other day.

If they even watched Sengun they'd have seen him going up against Jokic in a competitive game just the other day. Jokic had to sag heavily off Sengun to prevent drives - and Sengun kept draining jumpers to punish him.

[HMFFL]

As one of the best thunder fans of all time, I believe the rockets will be very tough to beat this year if kd can stay healthy.

Which is why the Rockets win total is over or under 55.5 (MGM) and 56.5 (Draft Kings). Only OKC is higher at 62.5

[Village Idiot]

I don´t think his ceiling has changed at all the past four months. He has the same physical limitations that he will never be able to change, only mitigate.

His shooting still stinks and that´s the one skill he can and should improve. Crappy and slow form. Horrible and inconcistant foot work. I saw him miss a wide open corner three in the Euros. It was probably 3 feet short and 2 feet wide right.

All in all a fantastic player and Houston stealing him was one of the notable times Presti really blew a deal but he its hard to see him becoming a hall of fame level player. Is he all that much better than say Domantas Sabonis, another limited player with a similar skill-set and stats?

[DonaldSanders]

#2 big men are plus defenders unless they are mvp level at offense. I don't see it for this guy. He's overrated.

There was a game last year where the Rockets actually sat Sengun a bunch in the 2nd half vs. the dubs, as he was getting eaten alive on D while Looney was bothering him on O.

This never happened. Sengun sat most of that second half because he was missing open shots. Regular occurrence for any scorer.

Actually it did, you just admitted he sat due to poor offense. Hard not to credit Looney some when you're here saying he was missing.

Sengun has been the starting rim protector for a top 10 defense for two consecutive seasons. That's more than passable. If a passable rim protector can put up 20 points+ points and 5+ assists they are a clear net positive. You can search the entirety of NBA history and you'll find that to be the case 100% of the time.

Teams that win titles have to finish with a top ten defense (and top 10 offense). He's cleared that line fully - even demonstrating that level of defense in the playoffs.

Maybe you've only watched a handful of games in the past couple of years, which is an innocent mistake.

I've watched plenty of games, just have a different view than you. His rim protection was just OK, it was when he was paired with Adams that the rim protection for the Rockets looked good. The rest of the Rockets were the high end defenders -- Adams, Thompson, FVV, Brooks. I think Sengun has the capability to grow still (age 23), a lot of my comments were in that context. This could be a nice year for him, we'll see. Keep in mind I also said I think his ceiling is a #2 on a championship team, who knows the Rockets could hold the banner at the end of the year.

[DonaldSanders]

#2 big men are plus defenders unless they are mvp level at offense. I don't see it for this guy. He's overrated.

There was a game last year where the Rockets actually sat Sengun a bunch in the 2nd half vs. the dubs, as he was getting eaten alive on D while Looney was bothering him on O.

This never happened. Sengun sat most of that second half because he was missing open shots. Regular occurrence for any scorer.

Actually it did, you just admitted he sat due to poor offense. Hard not to credit Looney some when you're here saying he was missing.

Sengun has been the starting rim protector for a top 10 defense for two consecutive seasons. That's more than passable. If a passable rim protector can put up 20 points+ points and 5+ assists they are a clear net positive. You can search the entirety of NBA history and you'll find that to be the case 100% of the time.

Teams that win titles have to finish with a top ten defense (and top 10 offense). He's cleared that line fully - even demonstrating that level of defense in the playoffs.

Maybe you've only watched a handful of games in the past couple of years, which is an innocent mistake.

I've watched plenty of games, just have a different view than you. His rim protection was just OK, it was when he was paired with Adams that the rim protection for the Rockets looked good. The rest of the Rockets were the high end defenders -- Adams, Thompson, FVV, Brooks. I think Sengun has the capability to grow still (age 23), a lot of my comments were in that context. This could be a nice year for him, we'll see. Keep in mind I also said I think his ceiling is a #2 on a championship team, who knows the Rockets could hold the banner at the end of the year.

[ConSarnit]

People thinking Sengun is Kanter on defence prolly never watched him more than few games, People even says his foot is slower than Jokic in here

According to RealGM folks players have to average 30+ points to be good so i dont blame posters here but if you really watched Sengun his gravity on offence is really big, keep getting double teamed on offence and players around him find open shots most of the time,also hes playmaking is one of the best.

This is where he stands to make the biggest improvement. He should get doubled far less with KD (and better overall shooting in general) on the team. He was really the only threat to score efficiently on the Rockets last year (his inefficiency was probably in part due to doubles and lack of spacing).

People think he’s bad a defense because he’s an undersized Euro C. He’s an average rim protector and he holds up ok on switches, iso, postups, etc. He’s not going to anchor your D but he won’t hurt it in a way that someone like Sabonis will. You can’t be a top defensive team if your C is a liability and the Rockets were a top defensive team.

[HardenGoat]

The biggest surprise is actually his defense. I thought that was going to be his downfall prior to the draft. That’s likely how he ended up 16th. What he has shown is a desire to play hard on both ends and he’s a serious competitor. His DR went from 111 first year to 107 last year. He looks more athletic already this year. He is not slow footed, just ask any NBA player that has defended him they all say the same thing.

[mcfly1204]

People thinking Sengun is Kanter on defence prolly never watched him more than few games, People even says his foot is slower than Jokic in here

According to RealGM folks players have to average 30+ points to be good so i dont blame posters here but if you really watched Sengun his gravity on offence is really big, keep getting double teamed on offence and players around him find open shots most of the time,also hes playmaking is one of the best.

This is where he stands to make the biggest improvement. He should get doubled far less with KD (and better overall shooting in general) on the team. He was really the only threat to score efficiently on the Rockets last year (his inefficiency was probably in part due to doubles and lack of spacing).

People think he’s bad a defense because he’s an undersized Euro C. He’s an average rim protector and he holds up ok on switches, iso, postups, etc. He’s not going to anchor your D but he won’t hurt it in a way that someone like Sabonis will. You can’t be a top defensive team if your C is a liability and the Rockets were a top defensive team.

The Knicks say hello.

[ConSarnit]

People thinking Sengun is Kanter on defence prolly never watched him more than few games, People even says his foot is slower than Jokic in here

According to RealGM folks players have to average 30+ points to be good so i dont blame posters here but if you really watched Sengun his gravity on offence is really big, keep getting double teamed on offence and players around him find open shots most of the time,also hes playmaking is one of the best.

This is where he stands to make the biggest improvement. He should get doubled far less with KD (and better overall shooting in general) on the team. He was really the only threat to score efficiently on the Rockets last year (his inefficiency was probably in part due to doubles and lack of spacing).

People think he’s bad a defense because he’s an undersized Euro C. He’s an average rim protector and he holds up ok on switches, iso, postups, etc. He’s not going to anchor your D but he won’t hurt it in a way that someone like Sabonis will. You can’t be a top defensive team if your C is a liability and the Rockets were a top defensive team.

The Knicks say hello.

The same Knicks that finished 13th in defensive rating last season?

[peZt]

The people who say he is a bad defender must genuinely only look at his skin color, height and athleticism and start assuming things they dont know nothing about.

Sengün is not Dwight Howard on d. But he is still a plus defender. Plus, being the anchor of a top 10 defense in consequtive seasons, that doesnt happen if your center is a liability on defense

Read on Twitter

[Sane]

There was a game last year where the Rockets actually sat Sengun a bunch in the 2nd half vs. the dubs, as he was getting eaten alive on D while Looney was bothering him on O.

This never happened. Sengun sat most of that second half because he was missing open shots. Regular occurrence for any scorer.

Actually it did, you just admitted he sat due to poor offense. Hard not to credit Looney some when you're here saying he was missing.

Sengun has been the starting rim protector for a top 10 defense for two consecutive seasons. That's more than passable. If a passable rim protector can put up 20 points+ points and 5+ assists they are a clear net positive. You can search the entirety of NBA history and you'll find that to be the case 100% of the time.

Teams that win titles have to finish with a top ten defense (and top 10 offense). He's cleared that line fully - even demonstrating that level of defense in the playoffs.

Maybe you've only watched a handful of games in the past couple of years, which is an innocent mistake.

I've watched plenty of games, just have a different view than you. His rim protection was just OK, it was when he was paired with Adams that the rim protection for the Rockets looked good. The rest of the Rockets were the high end defenders -- Adams, Thompson, FVV, Brooks. I think Sengun has the capability to grow still (age 23), a lot of my comments were in that context. This could be a nice year for him, we'll see. Keep in mind I also said I think his ceiling is a #2 on a championship team, who knows the Rockets could hold the banner at the end of the year.

Sorry but now you're wrong and not being honest. You said Looney was about D and now you are saying the opposite. Also, it had nothing to do with Looney. That's what "open shots" means.

On your second point you can stretch as much as you like for the difference between"good" and "ok" but you made it seem like his defense is a big problem and that's objectively false. There's no one who can protect the rim for a championship calibre playoff team whose defense is problematic.

Also just to throw in: you know full well we started Jalen Green. Adams played just 15 minutes. Our staring lineup has been defensively amazing for two years with Green and Alpi starting.

[mcfly1204]

This is where he stands to make the biggest improvement. He should get doubled far less with KD (and better overall shooting in general) on the team. He was really the only threat to score efficiently on the Rockets last year (his inefficiency was probably in part due to doubles and lack of spacing).

People think he’s bad a defense because he’s an undersized Euro C. He’s an average rim protector and he holds up ok on switches, iso, postups, etc. He’s not going to anchor your D but he won’t hurt it in a way that someone like Sabonis will. You can’t be a top defensive team if your C is a liability and the Rockets were a top defensive team.

The Knicks say hello.

The same Knicks that finished 13th in defensive rating last season?

And here I was thinking nba.com would have sorted team defensive rankings by def rtg by default. My bad.

[LarsV8]

Sengun is a passable defender at best.

There is a huge opportunity for a significant upgrade defensively with a traditional center.