Alperen Sengun & Jabari Smith Jr. LEVELING UP | How Does Houston Rockets Young Core SUSTAIN Success?
Alperen Sengun & Jabari Smith Jr. LEVELING UP | How Does Houston Rockets Young Core SUSTAIN Success?
Houston Rockets’ young stars Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. are redefining the team’s ceiling with electrifying starts to the season. Can Sengun sustain his All-NBA caliber play? Has Jabari permanently raised his potential from 3-and-D contributor to true All-Star candidate? Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost and NBA Draft enthusiast Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) to discuss their impact on Houston’s surprising 7-1 record, with Sengun’s rim protection, decision-making, and advanced offensive efficiency taking center stage alongside Jabari’s elite three-point shooting, improved finishing, and newfound poise.
The discussion tackles key stats—like Jabari leading early in transition points and shooting a blistering 48% from deep—while evaluating strategic adjustments by Coach Ime Udoka, including small-ball lineups and defensive versatility. Insights on lineup mismatches, player development, and whether this young core can power the Rockets toward a 60-win season make this a must-listen for Houston basketball fans. Will this momentum hold as the season progresses?
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As a rockets fan, only center id say got sengun beat in terms of handle is Naz Reid
The GAMBLERS are the only people who are MAD AT kd, FUNNY THEY DONT EVEN TALKIN ABOUT HOW GREAT HIS PLAYING WITH THE rOCKETS RIGHT NOW.
Alpi had small injuries last year and couldn’t rest because there were no alternatives. Not only he had to play through injuries, he had to get the ball outside snd fight his way through which further tired him down.
And one thing with confidence is, he didn’t have help on easy scoring. If he had an off start, it meant we went KD and KD can get his but he is unable to get others going. Now it will be FVV setting up when Sengun is down and he can ger an easy bucket for Alpi to start him off.
He might get his shooting s little lower, but I dont expect a huge drop
Houston’s young guys are doing a fantastic job of putting the experience they’ve gained to good use this season. Marcus and Bogdanović have also been two excellent additions, giving us exactly what we needed. Even Udoka seems to be making much better decisions. I don’t think this season will be a repeat of last year. Hopefully, we can stay healthy and avoid any major injuries.
ALPI MVP caliber
JABARI MIP caliber
KD is KD
We can leveling up if we trade our useless center tittyrunner sengun for real center that can defence
Alpi mvp
I'd argue Jabari was the most consistent player in last year's series against the Lakers…I'm honestly not as surprised as some people are to see him balling out. 🔥🚀🏀
deep drop HAHA
Hey Jacson!
ALPEREN HASN'T PLAYED A SINGLE GAME THIS YEAR—AND THEY LOST THAT ONE, TOO.
Do you feel any shame regarding the mobbing you and others directed at Alperen last year?
Between the injured players who left the team in the lurch, and jealous, gossiping types like KD—who even belittled his own young teammates on X—you all went after Alperen. Even when he was just 23, still learning English, and trying to instill confidence in the team, you attacked him—even during the All-Star break! We haven’t forgotten what you said, either. You treated Alperen as if he were a 10-year NBA veteran like KD, while showing plenty of leniency toward American players of the same age.
We always said it: Alperen is incredibly talented,
courageous, a man of his word,
and intelligent.
Everyone on that team is paid to play—everyone is earning a living—yet Alperen was the only one held to account.
Still, Alperen never gave up.
This year, too, please don’t tear him down during games where he might be tired or playing poorly;
he’ll find his way back on his own.
By the way, Biberović has joined Dallas this year—keep an eye on him, too. He is a very handsome and talented athlete.
Jabari plays better when the ball is moving and when he's involved in the offense. Having him parked in the corner like a mannequin has never been beneficial for him. Yes, him shooting a better percentage has helped, but the Rockets looking like they have an actual offensive system this year has probably been the biggest factor.
man its good to be back on locked on rockets! was here back when we were “that team” in the nba worst 3 szns in a row, then college busyness hit. but man u were the only one who saw what i saw in sengun SINCE we drafted him! the potential was so aggravating with silas. keep going strong jackson!