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[Athletic] Alperen Şengün, unlucky meme king of Rockets-Lakers series, must change narrative fast

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Os Trigonum, Apr 24, 2026.

  1. Os Trigonum

    Os Trigonum Okogie Only Fan
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    Alperen Şengün, unlucky meme king of Rockets-Lakers series, must change narrative fast

    https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/72...hared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta

    excerpt:

    Alperen Şengün is about to play the two most important games of his career.

    No, that doesn’t mean these games are bigger than the Game 7 he played in the first round of last year’s playoffs against the Golden State Warriors. No, this isn’t my attempt to audition for one of the talking-head, sports morning shows.

    After back-to-back dud performances in his team’s baffling losses to the short-handed Lakers last week, Şengün is dealing with the most scrutiny he’s ever faced in his five-year NBA career.

    As the Rockets head home, Şengün’s play in the next two games, as the Rockets fight to keep their season alive, will go a long way toward determining how he’s viewed by die-hard fans in Houston and by the more casual fans who are tuning in for the playoffs.

    Last year, he was a fun up-and-comer, a first-time All-Star outperforming expectations. Now, he’s a young two-time All-Star losing his luster at a rapid pace and is suddenly in danger of becoming the face of what may turn into an embarrassing early exit for the Rockets.

    These are the moments players of Şengün’s caliber are remembered for: how they push back against negativity and respond with their best — or let it engulf them.

    Şengün still has a lengthy career ahead of him. He’ll have more opportunities to perform under the bright lights. However, this is truly the first time the whole world will get a chance to see what the Rockets’ star is made of.

    ***
    No hyperbole needed. It’s make-or-break time for Şengün.
    ​
    more at the link
     
    #1 Os Trigonum, Apr 24, 2026
    BelgianRocketsFan likes this.
  2. heypartner

    heypartner Member

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    reported
     
    #2 heypartner, Apr 24, 2026
    Deckard and Os Trigonum like this.
  3. ElPigto

    ElPigto Member
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    I don't think it matters anymore, Sengun has sealed his fate with Clutchfans, he must go. Preferably not for Giannis.
     
    #3 ElPigto, Apr 24, 2026
    MystikArkitect, WoodDavidWood and hlmbasketball like this.
  4. Reeko

    Reeko Member

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    I saw a picture circulating on Twitter of when Ayton caught the lob and dunked all over Sengun nuts all in the face, and the embarrassment was almost too much to take
     
    #4 Reeko, Apr 24, 2026
    ashleyem and hlmbasketball like this.
  5. JW86

    JW86 Member

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    Time to ditch the whiny attitude, the throwing up of shots in hope to get a call, especially in the freaking play-offs which he has done too often already, and play tough. Ime is not doing him any favors, but still.

    Honestly, Sengun will never be the type of big we want or need, but if he can learn from a guy like Scola who was a demon on the block with his footwork. He needs to become more like a finesse PF who can actually make a shot more reliably.
     
    #5 JW86, Apr 24, 2026
    ashleyem and hlmbasketball like this.
  6. waytookrzy079

    waytookrzy079 Member

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    TLDR; did Alpi win finals MVP yet?
     
    #6 waytookrzy079, Apr 24, 2026
    Jontro likes this.
  7. Angkor Wat

    Angkor Wat Member

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    saw a post where they said sengun runs like he got boobs lol gotta laugh to keep from crying right :(
     
    #7 Angkor Wat, Apr 24, 2026
    Jontro likes this.
  8. OremLK

    OremLK Member

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    If he has a great run of games and we win the series and at least show up well in the second round all will be forgiven pretty quick

    I doubt it will happen at this point but we'll see
     
    #8 OremLK, Apr 24, 2026
  9. semicolonsupremacy

    semicolonsupremacy Member

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    Hope he leaves this trainwreck for his own sake.
     
    #9 semicolonsupremacy, Apr 24, 2026
  10. Hank McDowell

    Hank McDowell Member

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    Someone said he craps his pants and wears adult diapers during the game and that is hindering his mobility and range of motion. Or something like that.
     
    #10 Hank McDowell, Apr 24, 2026
  11. dc rock

    dc rock Member

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    [​IMG]

    Remember the good old days?

    [​IMG]
     
    #11 dc rock, Apr 24, 2026
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  12. the11mingdynasty

    the11mingdynasty Member

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    Nah, all the noise is good for him.
     
    #12 the11mingdynasty, Apr 24, 2026
  13. kkthksbai

    kkthksbai Member

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    Sir this is the internet. You're always only one good game away from being a franchise player. ;)
     
    #13 kkthksbai, Apr 24, 2026
  14. DrNuegebauer

    DrNuegebauer Member

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    Sengun either steps up or becomes Sabonis...

    I think he'll fire today



    [Then can we PLEASE trade him before it is too late]
     
    #14 DrNuegebauer, Apr 24, 2026
    comrade likes this.
  15. JW86

    JW86 Member

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    See the difference between those last few possessions in the 4th and the early parts was simple: he stopped screaming "hey" when he went up for a shot, actually just made his move. He can be right at times, but man am I done with this guy.
     
    #15 JW86, Apr 25, 2026
  16. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    Sengün actually showed out for this game, I don't know why Amen is so protected over here.

    Yes, people don't want to call him one dimensional bc he has the dunking game, off ball movements, some kind of occasional shot.....

    He just did not do enough for a guy people call out the Short Giannis.
     
    #16 daywalker02, Apr 25, 2026
  17. omgTHEpotential

    omgTHEpotential Member

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    Alpi deserves a better team and fanbase
     
    #17 omgTHEpotential, Apr 25, 2026
    tagedieb, clos4life and Sooner423 like this.
  18. Bo6

    Bo6 Member

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    Alperen has been mis-used since the Silas era yet has still developed to some degree.

    I'd give him next season under a new coach with an actual offensive design before jettisoning him.
     
    #18 Bo6, Apr 25, 2026
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