Alperen Sengun thread!

[Straight forward2]

For Europe Korkmaz and Osman are more than enough. True they have no superstar upsides but if they were in Europe they would be top 2-3 players in top European teams. Decision making is surely a problem but making decisions lead to scoring. We have a talented enough team to deliver points how smart it gets doesnt matter. What we dont have is a good defense and with Bona and Berke this will change too.

We need just one player on the offense who can finish games and this will hopefully be Sengun, this is what we all hope.

In my opinion that's the recipe for disaster Not that I have intentions to spoil anyone's enthusiasm. Game finisher should have at least 2 traits: ball handler, can shoot. Sengun doesn't have either. Bigs do not close games, specially in FIBA, but in NBA generally also.

Korkmaz, Osman thus far haven't been able to carry Turkey and they are not getting much better or any younger. You need true pieces at perimeter, leader, game closer. Larkin has not been the answer too and it won't be in 2025 as well as it seems to be most realistic next stop for Turkey. You need very obvious perimeter piece, but there's no such. My prediction that you will be naturalizing other American guard for 2025.

Maybe Korkmaz though...Still 25yo surprisingly...

 

[Toruko2]

In my opinion that's the recipe for disaster Not that I have intentions to spoil anyone's enthusiasm. Game finisher should have at least 2 treats: ball handler, can shoot. Sengun doesn't have either. Bigs do not close games, specially in FIBA, but in NBA generally also.

Thats why we hope Sengun developing. Its clear Korkmaz and Osman have no room for finishing games in the NBA and thats a big problem and right now Sengun has the room for it. So far for offense but the real problem of the Turkish team is on the other side. Stops in the defense... If we can solve the defensive problem and we will the following tournaments the Turkish teams will be very competitive.

Korkmaz, Osman thus far haven't been able to carry Turkey and they are not getting much better or any younger. You need true pieces at perimeter, leader, game closer. Larkin has not been the answer too and it won't be in 2025 as well as it seems to be most realistic next stop for Turkey. You need very obvious perimeter piece, but there's no such. My prediction that you will be naturalizing other American guard for 2025.

This is true Korkmaz and Osman are not able to do it by themselves but they still are very valuable pieces with being 27 (Osman) and 25 (Korkmaz) year old.

In addition that there are guys with those ages.

Osmani 98, Omer Yurt7 98 ,Hazer 99, Bitim 99, Kabaca 00, Sengun 02, Bona 03, Buyuktuncel 04. These guys can have right now have an impact on the game right now on NT level. The Turkish NT was and will be one of the youngest NTs in Europe.

 

[Straight forward2]

I will say this - Bona + Berke is the frontline that I would like to have for LTU NT in the future (potentially one of the best D frontlines in Europe). Sengun is a nice contributor if not forced to be a leader. His kind of players should be spending time on the bench down the stretch and there's huge issues in the backcourt. You have good role players as guards, but no pieces needed for winning. If you will somehow get perimeter stud/star then you have a team, but at this department there no much room for optimism. Besides Turkey never had many good guards, that's one of the main attributes of your school. Nothing new these days - Sengun, Bona, Berke are great big prospects, but no perimeter prospects of premium level.

 

[Toruko2]

I will say this - Bona + Berke is the frontline that I would like to have for LTU NT in the future (potentially one of the best D frontlines in Europe).

This will be the line up if we have to defend the last possession

Sengun is a nice contributor if not forced to be a leader.

Sengun is one of the top 3 player of an NBA team and a candidate for an allstar in 2 years with being newly 20 year old. The Turkish NT will be his team. Idk what kind of standards you have but he is gonna dominate European tournaments in future.

His kind of players should be spending time on the bench down the stretch and there's huge issues in the backcourt. You have good role players as guards, but no pieces needed for winning. If you will somehow get perimeter stud/star then you have a team, but at this department there no much room for optimism.

There is more than enough quality to be competitive for European top level.

Nothing new these days - Sengun, Bona, Berke are great big prospects, but no perimeter prospects of premium level.

Osman, Korkmaz, Bitim (in the future) are more than enough for European standards and with a big rotation Sengun, Bona, Berke and Yurtseven its a top European team. In addition very good role pieces who will grow in the following years.

So you see I am not that pessimistic but time will tell.

 

[Toruko2]

Seng?n with one of the best games in his career against the Clippers establishing himself in the NBA with 26 points (8/13) from the field and 10/11 from the ft line with 13 rebounds 2 assists and 1 steal in 30 minutes. Elite low post creator for himself and others. Looks way more fluent and stronger showing very good instincts grabbing offensive rebounds.

 

[Toruko2]

It appears Senguns season average will be like around 20 points, 10 rebounds and 3-4 assists but he is very stable with his stats. There are no jumping stats like the one of Cedi Osman for example. His only lack in the offense is his outside shot from the 3p-line but it will come around too in a couple years.

 

[Toruko2]

Sengun with a monstrous game against OKC which drafted and gave him away. In any ordinary team he would have his first triple double and this without using him as a hub like Sabonis or Jokic. He is really hard to stop on 1 vs 1 and he is heavily respected in the low post. He gets doubled nearly every time nevertheless his true shooting percentage is amazing.

He had 21 points, 19 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

 

[Straight forward2]

Sengun is the hybrid of 4 players: D. Sabonis, Jokic, D. Motiejunas (NBA version), L.Scola.

 

[Toruko2]

Dunk of the year with being 20.

 

[SaliH2]

Bruh, that play was absolutely NASTY! Too bad that the refs called it as an offensive foul, especially considering that in 99% of the cases they don't do that.

It is very frustrating how in absolutely every game the refs make such dumb calls against Alpi.

 

[Toruko2]

Alperen Sengun did it! His first triple double with 10 points 10 rebounds and 10 assists and 1 steal against Sacramento. May more be following...

 

[Straight forward2]

Sengun putting it together offensively. At that side of the court he will be brilliant. But it's interesting how much tougher he can get. Sabonis pushes him out of his way too easily. Nevertheless, huge talent offensively:

https://twitter.com/BradeauxNBA/status/1615353932867604480

 

[Toruko2]

Sengun putting it together offensively. At that side of the court he will be brilliant. But it's interesting how much tougher he can get. Sabonis pushes him out of his way too easily. Nevertheless, huge talent offensively:

https://twitter.com/BradeauxNBA/status/1615353932867604480

He has his weaknesses and strengths defensively but it is also mostly carelessness. To gain his full strength he will need 2-3 years which is totally ok and normal.

 

[Toruko2]

I suppose its clear now that Sengun is one of the best players of the 2021 draft year. There is no way Green is a more impactful player than Sengun. Green is very talented offensively but the guy is really brainless and doesnt know to select the right shots and he makes too many TOs and its not a good sign for a player who is in his second year. Sengun is the best player of the Rockets. Wagner although drafted on the eights pick should have been drafted higher.

 

[Toruko2]

A more convincing triple double of Sengun against the Wizards with 21 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks and its even more impressive when you consider what kind of help he gets. KPJ and Green are the worst guard in terms of defending and Green really cant select proper shots. Horrible percentage of Green again. He takes ridiculously tough shots out of nothing and Gordon is a horrible play maker for this team. In a team like the Lakers he would have easily 15 assists per game.

I really dont know how they lost the game. It was kinda impossible and they still achieved it thanks to Silas who ran an impossible line up at the end of the third quarter and made a come back of 20 points possible by not letting Sengun and Green play.

Its absolutely clear to me what should happen next. Sengun needs a reliable outside shot like Jokic. He will be able to beat opponents out of dribble more easily and it will open up more passing lanes. His push shot looks already very trustworthy. Its still a question mark how successful you can build around him.

Now he has time to work all the summer on his shot. Touch is there he just needs to add range. If that happens there will be no Sabonis comparisons anymore. Then there is just one comparison and everyone should know what I mean. This kid is with 20 already one of the best passers and low post player in the NBA and I am sure he will be the best Turkish player of all time.

 

[Straight forward2]

Yeah, we know...Luis Scola!

Well, you're aiming high here if taking comparison with Sabonis as underappreciation. It's your choice though, it's not impossible, and he's gonna be great player, already very good, but my projection would be something between Sabonis' impact (in different ways a little but, but generally the same impact) and something between Sabonis and Jokic impact (optimistic projection).

Sengun is not going to be as good as Jokic. Jokic is more special in skill, in size, in toughness, in natural flow. Jokic, IMO, won't be matched.

Now, with Sabonis the comparison is much more interesting. Sengun has smoother skillset, like plasticity, both post and face to the basket offense. Softer touch. Sengun may be fancier and maybe even more gifted to the degree passer, but he doesn't have Sabonis' natural "under the flow" facilitation game. Sengun is not as quick and natural facilitator as Sabonis when he is in the middle, and Sengun takes his time (Jokic has both - Sengun's nifty/fancy passes and natural flow quick distribution even without thinking). So it's hard to say who will be better passer. But when you build around point center, Sabonis is more more natural distributor. Those hand-offs, those quick-outs, those multiple tough screens in very short time, short roles.

Sengun isn't as shifty and agile as Sabonis when it comes to screening.

Both Sabonis and Sengun can't shoot. Sengun's solid three point shooting is a complete asking ATM. He can't shoot and I doubt he will. Some shots goes like way off, like air balls.

Sabonis has higher motor, even if Sengun has also high one, but Sabonis is unmatched, he's like a robot and he plays hard in each and every possession. He can out-run and out work, out-hustle (and he does) any big man in the league. Sengun has a bit of Jokic "gifted laziness" in him. Thus, Sabonis is playing more physical game and more consistent with the effort. There's no surprise he leads the league in double-doubles and rebounds.

Sabonis is a better rebounder.

Sengan has midrange scoring game, at least better one, cause Sabonis in NBA shoots jimmies too. But Sengun has craftier finishing game, including mid range all sort of shots.

Defensively...Maybe Sengun will be more flexible, but won't be as tough most likely and likely won't be better rebounder. Besides, I think in open space in perimeter, Sabonis has better feet work in isolation defense. Nevertheless, Sengun may be more flexible shot blocker, better reading defensive situation. So it's really hard to make any conclusions yet. Both sort of unreliable defenders generally.

Oh, and Sabonis is quicker and more natural with the ball in transition offense...Even if Sengun can do it too, but Sabonis is better at it.

Time will tell.

 

[Toruko2]

Well, you're aiming high here if taking comparison with Sabonis as underappreciation. It's your choice though, it's not impossible

I am not disrespecting Sabonis in any kind. He is a good player but he lacks a reliable mid range or long range game and this is where I want and expect them to differ. Comparing the stats of both you can see that Sengun is much further than Sabonis but thats not the point. The point is the difference between Jokic and Sabonis. Jokic has everything offensively and Sengun lacks an outside shot to have a similar impact on the offensive end and this would make Sengun a better player than Sabonis.

my projection would be something between Sabonis' impact (in different ways a little but, but generally the same impact) and something between Sabonis and Jokic impact (optimistic projection).

Sounds acceptable.

Sengun is not going to be as good as Jokic. Jokic is more special in skill, in size, in toughness, in natural flow. Jokic, IMO, won't be matched.

Sure, Jokic is special and Sengun doesnt have his fundamental, so far so good. He is way smaller too but a better athlete even though nothing special. However with an outside shot, he can come close to him and he has years for it.

Now, with Sabonis the comparison is much more interesting. Sengun has smoother skillset, like plasticity, both post and face to the basket offense. Softer touch.

Senguns touch is definitely better and Sengun can create better for himself in the low post with his spin but everything else is more or less the same level.

ut he doesn't have Sabonis' natural "under the flow" facilitation game. Sengun is not as quick and natural facilitator as Sabonis when he is in the middle, and Sengun takes his time (Jokic has both - Sengun's nifty/fancy passes and natural flow quick distribution even without thinking).

Sabonis can push the ball faster forward but it is just a snapshot. You must not forget that you are comparing a 20 year old guy with a 27 year old guy who recently entered his prime phase. Off course Sabonis is faster and stronger at the moment. This will change more and more in the future.

Those hand-offs, those quick-outs, those multiple tough screens in very short time, short roles.

Both are good screeners but having watched Sabonis in the NT he tends to move too early while screening. Senguns timing is much better and Sengun is also the better rolling big. Then its a different if you play with 20 year old bigs or guards or having a guard like Fox beside you so its really not easy to compare. I couldnt care less btw. about who is the better passer. Passing is a skill what I need is an outside shot, I am already happy with Senguns push shot. He makes 60% of them. I cant expect more.

Sabonis is a better rebounder.

Without a doubt, but again, it can change.

Defensively...Maybe Sengun will be more flexible, but won't be as tough most likely and likely won't be better rebounder. Besides, I think in open space in perimeter, Sabonis has better feet work in isolation defense. Nevertheless, Sengun may be more flexible shot blocker, better reading defensive situation. So it's really hard to make any conclusions yet. Both sort of unreliable defenders generally.

This is a good description. I dont expect Sengun to be a good defender, he wont be one, neither Sabonis is one.

I dont care about his defensive weaknesses. I only care about his shot. We have the material to diminish his weaknesses.

 

[Straight forward2]

Both are good screeners but having watched Sabonis in the NT he tends to move too early while screening. Senguns timing is much better and Sengun is also the better rolling big. .

That's the issue of being used to higher pace game in the NBA and quicker guards. It's not like Sabonis is doing too early, but guards are not adjusting to the pace Sabonis asks, we can put it this way too. But I agree that there's something unreliable about Sabonis in FIBA. He either will make TO's, elbow some-one, will bee too eager and so on. But he slowly getting better there, so I hope best tournaments ahead of him.

Good point that I missed about Sengun. He surely better roller. He has that young JV kinda rolling to the basket generally.

 

[SaliH2]

Alpi at age 20 is a better player and performing better than Sabonis and probably Jokic when they were 20 years old. But that doesn't mean sheit. Every player no matter how young, talented and exceptional he is is just an injury or a bad decision away from ruining his career. Only God knows what will the future bring for Alperen but if he works hard and has a bit of luck he looks like a guy with the potential to be an All Star in the league someday.

Most who are very critical of his flaws forget that he is still only 20 years old... He will improve and develop his game and his body more and more with the time for sure. Even if he doesn't learn new things only from the strength that his body develops when he grows up as a man he will become a better player.

 

[TurkfromGermany2]

Plus Sabonis has better haircut.......Alperen Sengun will eat him at breakfast in a fiba matchup. Sabonis is all star bla bla bla...he is one of the biggest busts each year in fiba tournaments.