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Rockets Surge: Durant & Sengun Ignite Title Hopes
22 Nov
Summary
- Rockets hold first place in Southwest Division with 10-3 record.
- Sengun's stellar play earns 'baby Joker' comparisons.
- Late-game creation against elite defenses remains a concern.
The Houston Rockets are making an early statement in the Western Conference, holding a 10-3 record and first place in their division. The addition of Kevin Durant has seemingly unlocked a potent offensive system, particularly alongside the breakout performance of Alperen Sengun, who is drawing comparisons to Nikola Jokic. This impressive start has led former All-Star Jeff Teague to assess their championship potential.
Teague highlighted Sengun's exceptional all-around game, noting his current averages could place him in All-NBA contention. Amen Thompson's improved role as a finisher and secondary ballhandler has also been crucial. The team's improved spacing and physicality, coupled with Durant's playmaking, have created a formula that has proven effective against most opponents, suggesting Houston has indeed 'figured something out'.
However, Teague cautioned against anointing the Rockets as definitive contenders, pinpointing late-game creation and ballhandling against elite defenses as a critical weakness. The reliance on Sengun to initiate offense could be problematic against teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder or Denver Nuggets in a playoff series. Without Fred VanVleet and with a thin guard rotation, this remains an unanswered question for Houston's championship hopes.
