Are The Houston Rockets BETTER Without Alperen Sengun? | Summit State Of Mind 03/17/24

Are The Houston Rockets BETTER Without Alperen Sengun? | Summit State Of Mind 03/17/24

Alperin shenon avoids catastrophic injury and the rockets are vying for a spot in the plane but that does beg the question are the Rockets better without alperin shenon let’s talk about It what is going on everyone welcome to another edition of summit State of Mind presented to you by the Apollo podcast Network empowered by Big City Wings I am your host once again the commissioner Kenny in this episode we are going to discuss Al shenon avoiding major injury

And where we should be with him timeline wise we will also discuss the Rockets five game win streak and what it would take for the Rockets to make the play in look it’s been about a week there’s been a lot of stuff happening the Rockets have you know come together and put

Together a five-game win streak in mids the alperin shenon injury alarin shenon went out but we found out that it’s not as major of an injury as we thought first of all let’s freaking go let’s freaking go because it’s not a major injury we will take that and I will go

Into depth on that actually in the first segment but of course let’s open it up with question of the night are the Rockets better though without Alper and shenon the rockets are currently holding a five game win streak and if my memory serves operan shenon went out on the

Second game that they won that’s right yeah against Sacramento at the tail end so the last three were played without him and the rockets have been absolutely rolling question right now that’s my question of the night are the Rockets better without Opera and shanon drop your comment right now below I want to

Know what y’all think I’m going to give my thoughts as well on that but first and foremost let’s just talk about the sigh of relief let’s all do it together the sigh of relief that’s right alperin shenon amidst the chaos of the injury that looked absolutely

Catastrophic the last time I sat here I told y’all that this was you know we were not sure what this was going to be we prayed for the we hoped for then prayed for the best but we were kind of expecting the worst thank God for alperin shanon’s young age his flexibility

And his muscles because that is the reason why uh the doctor said when he went through the MRI that he is very very lucky and we cannot count our blessings enough Al shenon escapes a very major injury this excerpt for the article when the news broke was brought

To us by sham chirania he did say sources tell me alperin shenon has suffered a grade three right ankle sprain and a bruised knee he will miss several weeks tremendous sigh of relief but this likely ends his regular season in which case it did coate with what Oka

Said in the following days saying that he would they were just going to shut him down the rest of the season it’s not uh it’s pointless we don’t want to aggravate and make this injury worse we’re not going to try to rampen him up

To try to play at the end of the season whether or not the Rockets make the play in it’s just not the smart bet take your time with him with an injury like that with a center with that size at 7 you don’t want to mess around with any of

The lower extremities of the body legs foot ankles knees you want to make sure that alarin shanon’s fully functional from you know from the legs below just because the fact that he’s a center the way he moves so you want to make sure that he’s uh you know fully functional

By the time the 2024 and the 2025 season rolls around so I think they made the wisest and I think the smartest choice to go ahead and shut shenon down for the rest of the season so he can start resting rehabilitating and getting to rehab so we can have him ready for The

Following Season the way it looks right now uh the the the so a grade three right ankle spring can take for time healing can take either several as little as several weeks which they could have tried to squeeze in by the end of the season or it could take several

Months however it should not take away from his summer they’re expecting at the latest the summer recovery so that way when he gets back to full basketball activity he’ll be able to rampen up for this for next season when it comes time to fall so the schedule does end up

Working out in our favor um the grade three ankle sprain Hallelujah we cannot uh expect any better than that that is incredible news I was elated I was happy jump for joy it was an incredible uh site to see so I’m just I’m just glad that shenon is is operating uh that his

Legs are operating normally thank goodness we’re just you know hope that as he continues to progress he just gets better and and we’ll get an even stronger shanon uh next season so we’re so happy to see that but it does beg the question uh because it’s a good

Transition into our next segment because I do want to talk about the Houston Rockets they have been absolutely killing it on this five game win streak currently and they are vying for a spot now in the play in they’re three and a half back from both the Warriors and the

Lakers I’m going to tell you which matchup I do prefer in terms of a team failing and it may surprise some of yall I know some people were thinking Golden State but the Rockets have been on an absolute tear they shifted their offense and their defense accordingly with

Shenon going down but it does beg the question are the Rockets better without Alper and shenon my straightup answer is no they are not better without alperin shenon you are comparing apples to oranges here in terms of how Oka is running the system he had to change the

System on the offensive and defensive end look he’s starting first of all let’s start from the defensive end he’s starting aend Thompson which makes the group a more athletic on defense which gives them more ability to switch everything so it kind it changed the Mantra of the defense as well as the

Scheme in which he’s setting it up it doesn’t necessarily make them better it just makes them more athletic and more free flow to do a switch everything defense they had catered to shenon being the center and being able to you know formulate the defense around the big man

To uh make it work for them however would Jabari playing now the small the proverbial he’s 611 proverbial the small ball five they’re thinking that you know that that’s the reason why they’re playing more athletically and and I think it’s so silly that there are some Rockets fans that are comparing and

Saying all of a sudden the Rockets are tacking off a five-game win streak when winning three in a row without Alp thinking that that is the reason why is the reason the fact that he goes down all of a sudden the defense is flying so they think that he that it’s Cates and

No it does not I mean Oka this forced his hand in a way where he had to he had to really rewrite the script on defense and he had to completely rewrite the script on offense which we didn’t even have a chance to get to yet the offense

Has changed up entirely it’s more guard Focus now it’s more fvv and Jaylen green Focus where they’ve been able to run a little bit more wrinkles for the wings as well as Jabari Smith Jr but they’ve really been highlighting it on Jaylen green and and fvv but like I said and

It’s it’s been able to unlock Jaylen Green’s game just a little bit more which has been incredible he’s been on such a tear lately I mean welcome finally to a year three Jaylen green will abs absolutely take it however um the Rockets I think it’s so silly that

These fans that there’s fans out there that think that they’re better it’s apples and oranges it’s not fair to compare the two situations which are obviously different completely different alperin shenon the team is better when alperin shenon is on the floor whether you like it or not the team is still

Better when he’s on the court so they’re not they’re they look good now because that they’re not since they changed up the system of both offense and defense it throws the scouting off for the rest of the NBA so the NBA doesn’t know the rest of the teams don’t

Really know what to expect they’re kind of you know they’re kind of going with the Epson flow along with this current Houston Rockets team so that is why we’re currently uh dealing with this setup right now to where the Rockets are being so successful especially with the latest game against Cleveland which of

Course I will get into in a minute um but no The Rock I mean bottom line the Rockets are not better without oper in shanon they’re flying right now and and they’re on a win streak and they’re vying for it but you know it’s more it’s

More or less I would equate it if you are a a hardcore Rockets fan like me I would equate it to the 207 2008 season when Yao Ming went down and Tracy McGrady had to lead the team of ragtag squad with Carl Andre Aaron Brooks um

You know those just guys like that raer Alon um you know just Luis skola Shane Bader and like that was kind of the team that he led to a 22 game win streak was the team better without Yao no they’re not better without Yao they would have

Gone further if Yao had been healthy so the same in my you know in in my expertise the same translation goes with Opera and shenon they’re succeeding right now because they’re playing with heart and will and determination but they’re not a better team without shanon let’s just take that out of your head

Right now so be that as it may but the Houston Rockets as a whole though removing oper shinon from the equation entirely because we are going to lose him for the rest of the season and looking forward and what’s in front of us this Rockets

Team has been on a tear what I’m saying about operan shenon is not lessening what the Rockets have done what they have been doing has been incredible like I said Jaylen green has been able to unlock this part of his game which has been phenomenal and the latest you know

The latest part of it was the Houston Rockets win uh versus the Cleveland Cavalier give me a second while I pull up the scoreboard 117 to 103 you know this is the Cleveland Cavaliers that are hovering around the third seed fourth seed one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference with a

Superstar in Donovan Mitchell and the Rockets team just absolutely punched him in the mouth I mean it was a blowout uh from the first from the first half going on and and the team was just on fire and you can just kind of see that they’re they’re playing for each other like

They’re playing for a cause now that aler and shenon went down they’re finding that cause they’re finding their why as to what’s going to get them going and amen Thompson said at best you know we just got to win out the rest of the season want to make the play in we just

Got to win out so the Houston Rockets do have the mindset of hey we’re still going to try to make the play in despite uh being as far back as they were now they’re hovering closer to 500 they’re 32 and 35 now and they’re just they’re they’re nipping at the they’re nipping

At the heels of the Lakers and the Warriors and let me give you my opinion right now in terms of for the Rockets you know who they’re going to go against or who not who they’re going to go against but who you would prefer to kind

Of drop out of the play in if the Rockets were to go head-to-head um in terms of like if they were to tie people were thinking Warriors initially but no after you know further looks into it the Lakers should be who the Rockets are gunning for in terms of trying to exceed

And getting past or if it gets down to a head-to-head matchup the LA Lakers are the team that you need to go after because the Rockets own virtually every single tiebreaker against the LA Lakers not to mention their own head-to-head matchup which the Rockets did win the

Season series against La this year so that’s going to Trump everything else so with that said for the Rockets to make the play and shouts to Ben Duo’s friend of the show uh he did a phenomenal breakdown you can follow him on Twitter at Ben Duos good good uh basketball mind

He did mention for the Rockets to make the play in Houston has to finish at at least 10 10 and five or better with remember there 15 games remaining and the Lakers need to go six and eight or worse so essentially the Lakers have to lose three more games than the rockets

For the Rockets to stand a chance now it does kind of work in our favor in that sense because the strength of schedule is a lot lessened on our part so the Rockets and the rockets have been on an absolute tear lately including winning

On the road as well so this team is is finally starting to see some some type of consistency in terms of both home and away stretches so now like it’s really starting to rampen up pressure with LA and you know they’re they’re they’re winning some games losing some games

Here and there but they’re not on fire Anthony Davis was out the rest of the Golden State game so that does beg the question are the Lakers going to be able to you know they have a a tougher schedule than the Rockets So are the

Lakers going to be able to hold up I just love the fact that the Rockets you know they’re they’re really playing for each other like I said if we’re hard reing back to a different time this team right now what they’re doing at this moment is is so reminiscent of that 22

Game win streak uh Houston Rockets back in 20072 2008 uh with Yao going down and and alperin shenon going down now granted it’s not like the exact same scenarios obviously we don’t have an established Superstar like T-Mac however of the way that this team is kind of

Coming together and they’re kind of you know they’re making their point known I love the way that they kind of changed their scheme the offense and the defense and and you’ve seen it these last several games and they’ve been really been cruising uh through these last several games against the Wizards and

The Cleveland Cavaliers which we’ve absolutely trounced both of them it was uh such it’s been so fun to watch this team uh am in Thompson has been an has been such a uh such a godsend uh can you imagine like if you start the beginning of the season did you ever think to

Yourself amen Thompson was going to play the four spot I mean come on like the four spot at a power for position but amen Thompson he’s in he’s perfect in the dunker spot he’s 67 like he’s actually like really good in that position like I’m I’m shocked at the

Thought of the fact that this actually is working the scheme that Oka had to make on the Fly and shout outs to eay you know he’s been killing in terms of his coaching he’s pressing all the right buttons right now you know hitting the emergency break glass uh to get the

Rockets to where they need to go to still have a shot you know still a shot to make the play in despite alperin shenon going down with the injury and and credit all around you know like I said we’re circling back to the initial topic of what has made this team so good

I mean Jaylen green has been phenomenal let’s call a spade a spade here these last two games I mean he had 37 against the Cleveland Cavaliers and he oh no had 26 against Cleveland Cavaliers and 37 against Washington I mean he’s made 24 field goals combined in his last two

Games I mean you’re looking at a Jaylen green finally putting it together but and I love this quote that Jaylen says he he says that when they were asking him you know what’s led to your improvement and he’s not equating it to the offense he’s saying that his defense

Has gotten better which has strengthened his offense in which case that is what a superstar player does he’s not a superstar but that’s a Superstar’s mindset that you’re not depending so heavily on your offense that you know for a fact that you get your defense going it’s going to rampen up your

Energy and get you going on the offensive end so I love that quote from Jaylen green he basically said that no matter what whether he’s playing good or bad and and you know even the game against San Antonio Spurs he went five of 16 like he didn’t have a phenomenal

Game but you’re looking but if you’re not looking just from the scoring output I mean from the rebounding perspective of the last three games he had 11 Cleveland eight against Washington seven against San Antonio I mean he’s he had four assists against Cleveland two assists against Washington five assists

Against the Spurs so he’s doing everything else and he’s playing really really good defense so that’s what’s really you know catapulting this team yeah the scoring is there which has been which is great but that but the fact that he’s putting it together on both ends of the floor that’s what sets

That’s what’s setting him apart right now that’s where his difference has being that’s the difference between a Jaylen Green in my opinion than a Christian Wood and I’m sorry Christian Wood catching Strays here on a Rand on an episode in 2024 for the Rockets but Chris Christian Wood was a guy that

Could put up stats put up 20 plus points every game but he wasn’t a needle mover in terms of Defense nor in terms of winning Jaylen green is directly affecting wins right now so that’s what makes this all the more important on his Improvement on him making these steps to get better

Because of the fact one because shenon is going down now but this also helps out his confidence so when we roll over into next season if we get into year four with Jaylen we know for a fact that he’s going to come in with a different mindset coming in stronger and he knows

Kind of his place more on the floor under eem’s system that’s why this is major import of major importance Jabari Smith Jr as well has been killing it at the small ball five I mean he’s been phenomenal in terms of defensive uh plays on on both ends of the floor being

Exactly who I thought he was going to be I mean he’s shooting an absolute All-Star number in terms of percentages right now he’s been locked in on both sides of the ball and I think that’s what’s made this Rockets team overall successful uh these past couple games

Especially because of the fact that one they’re winning the games that they’re supposed to win I mean you took on Spurs you took on Washington two teams that you have a much better record over that you’re you’re you’re you’re head you’re basically Head and Shoulders above this

Competition you have to beat them so the fact of the matter is that they’re not wasting these games they’re actually beating the teams that they’re supposed to beat and they’re beating the teams that in a way they’re not supposed to beat the Cleveland win is probably one

Of the most shocking wins I’ve seen this entire season just even though we’ve been so dominant we’ve been so good at home 20 plus wins at home we’ve been so freaking good on the offensive end but in at home but the fact of the matter is that Cleveland is still Cleveland they

Still have Donovan Mitchell you know the the these guys are still Darius Garland like yeah uh Mo’s out with an injury but this team was they they have 43 wins or 42 wins during the season right now like they’re firmly in the between the third and fifth seed like they’re going to

They’re going to hover around that they’re one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference so the fact that they were able to get a big win against a team like that is great and it you know sets the stage going forward now you know like I said the Houston Rockets do

Have a much easier schedule ahead of them uh they like I said a game against the Wizards in Washington what which they should win I can see them going 10 and five they got 15 games remaining you got games against the wizard Wizards I think they’re going to win you got a

Game at home against the Bulls I think they’re going to win game against Jazz at home I think they can win a game at home against Portland I think they can win I think they can continue this win streak uh going all the way into the Rockets versus Thunder on March 27th I

Think this team is more than capable of actually you know giving the Lakers a run for their money like I love the fact that they’re knocking on the door despite the fact that they were struggling so much in the middle of the Season even about close to three quars

Of the season they were struggling but the fact of the matter is that they’re finally finally putting it together and they’re stretching this team forward and just putting pressure which is all I wanted I wanted this Rockets team to put pressure to make I wanted

This team to make the plan but if they even if they couldn’t make the plan I didn’t want them to roll over at 10 games under 500 there’s in my opinion they’re a much better team than that I love the fact that there is still a possibility we can finish at 500 that

What a phenomenal season if we end the season at 41 and 41 what a great season that’s a what a what an upset like we were at 22 wins you’re about to almost double your input from last season in terms of win shares that’s incredible this Rockets team has been Head and

Shoulders a difference makers opposed to season’s past so I’m so glad that they’ve tacked off this five-game win streak and that they they found their why you know and and this is this episode’s really alperin shenon Centric and it’s a good point to to make here

Because they found their why you can see this team they’re playing for each other but they’re playing for shenon in my opinion they see one of their best players maybe the best player on the team go down with an injury and they are saying no we’re going to play for each

Other we’re going to play for him and we’re going to you know we’re going to make teams uh pay for coming to Houston and we’re going to come together and we’re going to put pressure on this on the other teams that we’re playing against and we’re going to you know make

The Warriors and the Lakers these Dynasty teams of the past we’re going to make them nervous we’re going to make them sweat and that’s all I really want I want the Rockets to play in games that matter and every game in 15 games remaining on the season every game is

Going going to count so you better expect it put on your seat belts it’s going to be a freaking roller coaster the rest of the way and of course the summit myself we’re going to take you there every step of the way in terms of coverage so you know we’re going to hope

That the Rockets can go at least 10 and five or better we’re going to hope the Lakers go six and8 or worse and maybe just maybe the Houston Rockets can squeeze their way into that 10th seed and make the Golden State Warriors or whoever is in that Western Conference

Just slightly more nervous I love it the Rockets are The Wrecking Crew right now they are making their names known they are being disruptors and that’s a that’s all you need from a young team and I love the fact that they’re doing it let’s go ahead and end uh this episode

Once again uh with a shout out and an ad from Big City Wings that’s right big city Wings Houston’s Wing joint a follows Wing joint one time we got that two for Tuesday deal I always talk about it the best deal on the market in terms

Of wings buy one get one you you pay for five you get 10 you pay for 10 you get 20 me I’m a Gold Fever guy in terms of flavors get the Gold Fever get the lemon pepper half and half do it to yourself Finger Licking Good in the best way

Possible find your nearest Big City Wings that is nearest to you that’s right big city Wings once again Houston’s Wing joint Apollo’s Wing joint one time and that’s going to go Ahad and end our episode once again you can follow us on Twitter at Summit sod

Follow us on Instagram @ Summit state of mindor pod you can also follow our media company at Apollo MBA and Apollo hou you can follow me on Twitter at Summit Commish follow my brother my co-host at JP mirab Bueno shout outs to the Apollo podcast Brethren that continue to kill

The game that’s right BTD Beyond The Diamond the crown jewel of Astros podcast give them your first listen for all Houston Astros content shout outs to off the grid iron Apollo Texans be sure to give them your first listen for all Houston Houston Texans content and uh I

Appreciate each and every one of y’all that continues to tune in and listen and watch uh and making us your first listen and watch for all Houston Rockets content once again I’m going to close with the question of the night are the Rockets better with Opera and shenon you

Heard my thoughts on it I want to hear your thoughts do you think the Rockets are better without oper shenon the answer is no by the way but I do want to hear your thoughts on that that’s going to be it for me on this episode

Hopefully when we come in later in the week we have more news and the rockets are continuing this win streak as they strive forward to trying to make the play in let’s end this episode as I end every episode with a go Summit go Apollo and one two three four five just keep

Winning baby go Rockets oh yeah one more thing watch basketball yay and

#houstonrockets #alperensengun #jalengreen

Alperen Sengun avoided catastrophic injury but is out for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets have won 5 in a row which begs the question: Are the Rockets better without Alperen Sengun? Join Kenny as he discusses:

– Alperen Sengun avoiding serious injury

– Why The Rockets are NOT better without Alperen Sengun

– The Rockets 5 game win streak

– Can the Rockets make the Play-In?

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