**Rockets Playing Steven Adams Next to Alperen Sengun Masks Giant Issue**
The Houston Rockets, a team in the midst of a rebuild, have made several moves to reshape their roster in hopes of creating a sustainable path toward future success. Among the many changes, the Rockets’ decision to pair Steven Adams, a veteran center, next to the young and talented Alperen Sengun has sparked debate, as the two players occupy similar positions on the floor. While on paper this combination may seem viable for a team that lacks experience and maturity, the reality is far more complex. This pairing could potentially mask a giant issue for the Rockets, one that could hinder their long-term development and their future as a competitive force in the NBA.
At the surface level, this combination of Adams and Sengun represents a clash of styles, timelines, and roles, which could negatively impact the growth of the Rockets as a whole. The challenges that arise from their overlapping roles, differences in playing style, and the philosophical questions around playing both big men together reveal deeper concerns for the Rockets’ future. Despite the veteran leadership Adams brings, and the promising skillset of Sengun, the combination raises questions about how the Rockets will develop their young core and maximize the potential of their players. Furthermore, it underscores the central issue of the team’s current trajectory: finding the right balance between development, positional fit, and the need for a clear, cohesive vision moving forward.
### The Case for Steven Adams
Steven Adams is a veteran center known for his physicality, rebounding, and leadership on and off the court. For a team like the Rockets, who have been struggling with consistency, his experience is invaluable. Adams brings a level of toughness and a mindset of winning that could have a profound effect on the younger players around him. His size (standing 7-feet tall and weighing over 250 pounds) and ability to protect the rim make him a natural presence in the paint.
Adams, throughout his career, has been regarded as a one of the best screen-setters in the league, providing crucial picks that can open up opportunities for guards and wings. His no-nonsense attitude, combined with his elite screening ability, makes him an asset on offense, especially in the pick-and-roll game. He’s also known for his ability to disrupt opposing offenses through his sheer physicality, crashing the boards and competing in ways that bring an edge to a team’s defensive identity.
For the Rockets, bringing in Adams could be seen as an attempt to add stability to a young roster and provide mentorship to developing players. His leadership could help balance the volatility that comes with having so many young, unproven talents. Furthermore, Adams’ ability to guard the rim and set solid screens could theoretically open up space for younger players like Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. to excel in their roles as offensive creators.
### The Case for Alperen Sengun
Alperen Sengun, on the other hand, is a promising young center whose skills and potential have made him one of the most intriguing young big men in the league. Coming into the NBA, Sengun was highly regarded for his unique combination of basketball IQ, passing ability, and offensive versatility. He’s a player who can be the fulcrum of a team’s offense, capable of handling the ball in the post, facilitating plays, and even making jump shots from mid-range. Sengun’s offensive game is more diverse than many traditional centers, which is one of the reasons the Rockets have looked to build around him as a foundational piece moving forward.
What stands out most about Sengun is his playmaking ability for a big man. He is an elite passer, often displaying an impressive level of vision and creativity from the center position. His basketball IQ and high-level decision-making are rare traits in a young player. Sengun’s offensive game is centered on high-low actions, post-ups, and pick-and-rolls, where he often shows his ability to make pinpoint passes or score efficiently.
Defensively, Sengun is still developing. His footwork is improving, but he’s not yet a major threat as a rim protector, which is a major aspect of his game that he needs to work on to become a more complete player. However, his ability to guard in space, make smart rotations, and his instincts on the boards give him promise as a defender. Despite being slightly undersized for a center (6-foot-9), Sengun’s skill set makes him a more versatile option compared to a traditional center.
### The Clash of Styles: Adams and Sengun Together
On the surface, pairing Steven Adams with Alperen Sengun in the frontcourt seems to be a mismatch. There are several reasons why this pairing is unlikely to work as seamlessly as the Rockets might hope.
#### 1. **Positional Overlap and Playing Styles**
One of the primary issues with playing Adams next to Sengun is the positional overlap and the clash of their playing styles. Both Adams and Sengun are centers, but they occupy different roles within a team’s offensive and defensive structure. Adams is a traditional center, a physical, bruising player who thrives in the paint and does much of his work through rebounding, screening, and setting a physical tone. Sengun, on the other hand, plays a more dynamic role, frequently handling the ball and orchestrating offense from the low post or at the top of the key.
When Adams is on the floor, he’s most effective when he’s near the basket, securing rebounds and battling for position inside. Sengun, however, operates best when he has more space to create and make decisions. While Sengun can be an elite passer and playmaker in the post, Adams’ presence in the paint could clog the lane and limit Sengun’s ability to operate in areas where he thrives. This could stifle Sengun’s growth as a playmaker and scorer, as he’s less effective when there are too many bodies around him.
Moreover, both players are not floor spacers, with Adams being a non-shooter and Sengun not yet fully developing his three-point game to the extent that would make him a modern center. This lack of floor spacing further complicates things, as it forces both players to operate in congested areas on the court, limiting the effectiveness of their respective skill sets.
#### 2. **Defensive Concerns**
Defensively, pairing Adams and Sengun together could present its own set of challenges. Adams is an excellent individual defender in the paint and on the boards, but he’s not particularly mobile and can be exposed in pick-and-roll situations. While he is a strong rim protector, Adams struggles to cover ground on the perimeter, especially against quicker, more mobile bigs.
Sengun, while promising as a versatile defender, is still developing and lacks the ability to consistently anchor a defense at this point in his career. He’s not a strong shot-blocker and can be vulnerable against more athletic bigs or players who can stretch the floor. Defensively, Adams and Sengun together may struggle against teams that use floor spacing and speed to attack the paint or pull the defense out of position. Opponents may look to exploit this mismatch by isolating Sengun on the perimeter or forcing Adams to cover space he’s uncomfortable in.
Furthermore, the absence of a true floor spacer means the Rockets could be at a disadvantage when trying to defend against pick-and-roll actions or rotations, particularly against teams that can stretch the floor with their big men.
#### 3. **Developmental Stagnation**
Perhaps the most significant concern with playing Adams and Sengun together is the potential for developmental stagnation. Adams’ veteran presence and physicality are valuable for a team that lacks experience, but his skill set does not complement the long-term vision for the Rockets, especially when paired with a developing player like Sengun. The Rockets are in the midst of a rebuild, and their success hinges on the growth of players like Sengun, Green, and others.
By playing two centers who do not complement each other’s strengths, the Rockets risk not only stunting Sengun’s development but also limiting the floor spacing and offensive creativity that could come from playing a more versatile, modern lineup. Instead of fostering a system where Sengun can grow into the focal point of the offense, the team might inadvertently pigeonhole him into a more traditional center role where he’s asked to conform to a less effective style of play.
In the long run, this pairing could set back the development of not only Sengun but the entire Rockets team, as the roster is constructed with a modern, positionless philosophy in mind. Playing two centers who do not mesh well together could create a situation where the Rockets fail to maximize their assets and hinder their ability to develop a competitive, balanced roster for the future.
### Conclusion: The Rockets’ Need for Flexibility
While the decision to pair Steven Adams and Alperen Sengun together may be born from a desire to add toughness and rebounding to a rebuilding team, it also masks a giant issue: the lack of cohesion in the Rockets’ long-term vision. The pairing of these two centers could limit Sengun’s growth as a playmaker and scorer, expose defensive weaknesses, and stunt the overall development of the Rockets’ young core.
For the Rockets to succeed in the future, they need to focus on developing a modern, flexible roster that maximizes the potential of their young stars. This means finding the right balance between experience and youth, as well as ensuring that the players’ styles mesh effectively on the court. While Adams is a valuable asset in certain situations, his pairing with Sengun doesn’t seem to be the right fit for the Rockets’ long-term success.
Ultimately, the Rockets need to find ways to evolve their lineup, focusing on a more dynamic, versatile approach that allows their young players to thrive and develop into future stars. Only then can they create a sustainable foundation for future success.
