Alperen Sengun has started to work with Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon on post moves, and the rookie big man — taken at No. 16 overall in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft — says it is already helping.
In comments from Monday’s home practice at Toyota Center in Houston, Sengun told reporters (via a translator):
He taught me the post-up moves, and he taught me the spin moves. I use spin moves a lot in the game, but he told me how I can improve it, how I can do it better.
He told me I need to keep working on it and improve it. I started to work on the moves that he showed me in the practice. I’m trying those moves in the practice and also in the game. When I receive the ball, I am keeping all that he told me in that practice. I’m thinking about those moves in the game, in those positions.
.@alperennsengun on working with Hakeem Olajuwon: “It meant a lot to me to work with the best. Some of the moves he showed me that I can do better, I’m doing better in the games..I need to shoot more in the post so I can be more dangerous.” pic.twitter.com/LhGNrnwAVX
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 7, 2022
“He was legend on that topic,” Sengun said of the Hall of Famer, former MVP, and two-time NBA champion. “He was unstoppable because he can shoot, and he was driving, and he has spin moves.”
“That’s why he was unstoppable,” the 19-year-old concluded. “I also believe that I will be unstoppable if I start to play like him, start to shoot like him, if I can play on the inside and outside.”
Sengun, who started Sunday’s game due to Eric Gordon’s injury absence, could have another chance to start on Tuesday in New Orleans. As of Monday, Gordon remained sidelined by his left heel injury.
For the 2021-22 season as a whole, the Turkish big man is averaging 8.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 18.4 minutes per game.
.@alperennsengun thrilled he was able to work w/ Hakeem: “He was a legend-He was unstoppable b/c he was shooting & he was driving.He had his spin moves..That’s why he was unstoppable.I also believe I will be unstoppable if I start to play like him,if I start to shoot like him.” pic.twitter.com/KQhs9zoMAK
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 7, 2022
