Log in

View Full Version : Just how good is Alperen Sengun?



Im Still Ballin
12-13-2024, 09:47 PM
His BPM is +7.2 (4.2 OBPM; 3.0 DBPM). That's 5th-best in the league for qualifying players. He'd be 4th or 3rd if his TS%/rim% was what it was last season.

https://i.ibb.co/rwyY3Lk/Syvl57k.png

He's 19th in seasonal EPM right now with +3.7 (+1.8 off; +1.7 def), above guys like Morant, Mitchell, Butler, LaMelo, Edwards, and Durant. Slightly below Anthony Davis (+3.8) and Darius Garland (+3.8).

He's the best current player example of how it's not all about TS%/shooting efficiency. The advanced stats and one-number metrics love him regardless of his 53.8% TS. His true shooting percentage is low because his 0-3 feet and 3-10 feet percentages are way down compared to usual:


2024-25
0-3 feet: 59.1% FG; 3-10 feet: 43.9% FG

2023-24
0-3 feet: 69.0% FG; 3-10 feet: 49.6% FG

Career
0-3 feet: 66.9% FG; 3-10 feet: 47.3% FG

As for why these numbers are down I'm not sure. I've heard maybe it could be due to weight loss and/or poor team spacing. Or it could just be a small sample size. We'll see.

By far the most interesting development, however, has been Alperen's defense. He's the starting center on the 2nd-ranked, -7.9 rDRtg defense. I don't think you'll ever see Nikola or Domantas on a top defense like that.

Sengun is 12th in DFGA per NBA.com, so he's contesting a lot of shots/getting targeted plenty.


7.9 DFGM / 17.4 DFGA (-2.3% DFG differential)

The numbers get better when you isolate for only DFGs within 6 feet and 10 feet of the basket:


0-6 feet: 4.7 DFGM / 8.6 DFGA (-7.5% DFG differential) [49.7% of all DFGA]


0-10 feet: 5.4 DFGM / 10.2 DFGA (-5.1% DFG differential) [58.6% of all DFGA]

The closer-in shots are more telling because there's luck/variance at play with regard to perimeter shots. Alperen's paint defense player-tracking numbers look good.

This defensive development changes his potential/ceiling outlook for me with regard to his perceived archetype. He was grouped in with Sabonis and Jokic as a limited defender who'd have to compensate with really good offense. It's looking like he may be closer to someone like Zubac on defense, and that somewhat lowers the requirements on offense. He doesn't have to be otherworldly offensively because he's a genuine positive on defense.

Neal Romer
12-13-2024, 10:39 PM
Cany say Ive noticed his defense much either way when Ive seen him play, but it doesnt surprise me his metrics are good. Hes strong and mobile and seems fairly high IQ basketball wise. I think it also helps him (or any center) that the Rockets have good perimeter defense too.

The Lakers need to trade DLo for him IMO. Get it done Rob Pelinka.

iamgine
12-13-2024, 11:07 PM
I'd say he's top 15 level so...pretty good. Around James Harden/Kyrie Irving level.

999Guy
12-13-2024, 11:09 PM
God damn, he's 22? Which means he was last year level at 21? This dude basically projects to be as good as Giannis or Luka with that kind of production, that young.

Xiao Yao You
12-13-2024, 11:13 PM
Hes a beast! They should be building around him

Im Still Ballin
12-13-2024, 11:53 PM
His shooting is the big swing skill that'll have a large say in how good he becomes. His free-throw shooting has been great so far, a career-high mark. He'll probably never be a three-point shooting threat but he's got real touch from 8-16 feet. I wonder if he can get in his Dirk bag and become a mid-range demon.


2024-25
10-14 feet: 53.8% FG on 2.1 attempts per game
8-16 feet: 50.0% FG on 2.9 attempts per game


2023-24
10-14 feet: 53.9% FG on 1.6 attempts per game
8-16 feet: 49.7% FG on 2.7 attempts per game

That close-in mid-range shot is definitely his best. Mid-post/high-post isos, elbow hand-offs, short-roll pick-and-pop, etc.

Become unstoppable with that shot and combine it with the passing and face-up game. He's got the skillset for it.