Kevin Durant Has High Expectations for New Teammate in Houston

The Houston Rockets had a big letdown on opening night. Despite a solid performance against the reigning NBA champions, they fell 125–124 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in double overtime. 

The game was proof that this Rockets team can compete with the best teams in the NBA, despite having made significant changes to the roster over the offseason. Obviously, the Kevin Durant trade was the biggest change, and the Rockets are figuring out how to incorporate their new weapons. 

Durant spoke after the loss about what it’s been like playing with the Rockets’ young star, Alperen Şengün, and what he expects from him this season. 

“The more and more he keeps doing this, the easier it will be for everybody, especially me. I think this will be the year where he takes that step, where he wants to be a star, a superstar. He hasn’t said that, but the way he approaches the game with just everything he’s doing, you can tell he is ready to take that leap to be even better. This was a step in the right direction offensively. I wish we could’ve won for him.”

Durant is expecting big things from Şengün, and frankly, so is the NBA. Şengün was incredible this summer in EuroBasket, and in his first four seasons in the NBA, he has shown huge improvement.

Once considered “Jokić-Light,” Şengün is making a name for himself as his own star. Last year, he averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and nearly five assists per game. This year, he projects to be even better.

In Game 1, Şengün put up 39 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists — a clear indication to his team and the rest of the league that he is going for superstardom this year, and this performance may just be the beginning.