Rockets' only hope against Wemby depends on Alperen Sengun's improvement

Every team in the West must find ways to counter Victor Wembanyama's defensive impact in future years. The Rockets should be taking a close look at how the Thunder are finding success through Isaiah Hartenstein hitting floaters consistently, as they'll need Alperen Sengun to do the same. Sengun has displayed great touch on his floaters in the past, but that part of his game dried up this season.

Sengun will need to adapt against Wemby

Against the dominant defensive force that is Wembanyama, Sengun will often have to resort to floaters. Unfortunately for the Rockets, Sengun does not have a reliable outside jumper to punish Wemby's help defense or the requisite athleticism to consistenly finish over Wembanyama at the rim. The only feasible option to get a good shot over the Frenchman's sprawling arms will be putting up a floater in the midrange.

Although the Rockets offense is more centered around older veterans right now, Sengun must eventually take the reins. He is by far the most offensively talented member of Houston's young core. If the Rockets decide to continue building around Sengun, he will certainly be facing Wembanyama for years on end.

The Rockets could end up making a big trade to add more offensive help, but Sengun can't rely on that. Regardless of what the front office does, he needs to step up and show his mettle against the Defensive Player of the Year. The playoffs have already shown us the positive boost that a team can get when their center attacks Wembanyama effectively and without fear; the Rockets will be no exception.

In preparation for Wembanyama and other elite defensive centers in the West, Sengun must rediscover his touch in the floater range. It gives him another option in his scoring arsenal that'll be very useful with Houston's lack of general spacing.

The Thunder are revealing the blueprint

In some of their wins over the Spurs, the Thunder have had shocking success attacking Wembanyama in the paint. They've done so with unique skillsets, highlighted by Hartenstein's aforementioned floaters and physicality from guards to create space. The Rockets should be able to learn from both of those weapons to improve their own offense against San Antonio.

The Rockets have many slashing perimeter players with elite athleticism. Some of those guys, especially Amen Thompson, should also be able to find some success finishing over Wemby if they use the same technique that the Thunder are showing.

Finding success against Victor Wembanyama going forward won't be an easy task for the Rockets, but they have their own star young center who holds the key to unlocking efficient offense. Alperen Sengun will be the biggest factor for Houston's hopes over the Spurs.

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