Baller Alperen Sengun reveals prank played by NBA veteran Draymond Green

Rethinkin' Sengun's Game After Rockets' Fall:

Last season, Alperen Sengun made a bold Game 7 claim, but the Rockets didn't quite make it that far. Draymond Green's verbal jabber throughout the series seemed to rattle Sengun, making him a bit emotional on the court. Green exploited this to his advantage, disrupting Sengun's shooting rhythm.

Here's where the young Turkish big man sees both the light and shadow of his performance.

"Defensively, I've improved a lot this season," Sengun shared to Lachard Binkley of SI, "but my offense needs serious work."

"Summer's gonna be rough on me, 'cause I've got a lotta work ahead," he added.

Green's relentless defense forced Sengun to take some uncomfortable shots, leaving him frequent in the in-between area. Missed opportunities at the basket and three-point line were the result, making it tough to find scoring consistency. Sengun seemed less confident taking foul-line jump shots and resorted to floaters or going through the teeth of the defense.

Bouncin' Back: Sengun's Second Act?

Sengun's moves were full of grit. Remember, Green earned third place in NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting. It's clear why he was at the top of that list.

Despite being undersized, Green used his trash talk, basketball IQ, and understanding of tendency to get into Sengun's head. For someone like Sengun, this was his first playoff experience. There's no sugarcoating the nerves, but Green had been through it all before and used his advantage.

During the seven-game series, Sengun shot above 45% from the field just twice (Game 1 and 5, respectively). This shows he's got what it takes to shine in high-pressure situations.

To make noise in future playoffs, Sengun needs a more diverse offensive game. His defense is solid, but now it's time to become an elite scorer. Three-point shots looked promising, but developing a reliable in-between game can put defenses on their heels.

Here's what he needs to focus on:

Improving the In-Between Shot: Sengun recognizes the importance of working on his touch and consistency in the in-between area. This includes mid-range shots and post-ups.
Enhancing Three-Point Shooting Consistency: Establishing a reliable three-point shot will create space and confuse defenders.
Sharpening Free Throw Shooting: Sengun must improve his free throw shooting to make the most of fouls drawn under pressure.
Adapting to Defenses: Understanding and countering defensive strategies will help Sengun stay effective when defenders try to shut down his preferred moves.
Emotional Control and Focus: Honing his ability to stay calm and focused will help Sengun make better decisions under pressure.
Playmaking and Ball Handling: Improving these skills can make Sengun a more versatile threat, capable of breaking down defenses and evading opponents' anticipation.

With a solid summer training plan, collaborative efforts with coaches, film study, and mental preparation exercises, Sengun can transform his game and assist the Rockets in making a more significant impact in future playoffs. They'll need a more well-rounded star, and Sengun's got the potential to deliver.

Alperen Sengun acknowledged his need for offensive improvement, specifically in the in-between area and mid-range shots, despite his defense being solid.
Draymond Green, who finished third in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting, exploited Sengun's emotional tendencies during their playoff series, putting pressure on his field goal attempts and shot selection.
To thrive in future playoffs, Sengun aims to develop an elite scoring game by improving his three-point shot consistency, in-between game, and free throw shooting.
Enhancing his ability to adapt to defensive strategies, maintain emotional control, and focus under pressure, as well as improving his playmaking and ball handling skills, will also help Sengun become a versatile threat and a more effective scorer.
With a focused summer training plan, coaching collaboration, film study, and mental preparation exercises, Sengun aims to transform his game and help the Rockets make a more significant impact during future NBA playoffs.