Three Burning Questions For The Houston Rockets In 2023-2024

The Houston Rockets enter the 2023-2024 season with high expectations. They’re now in Phase 2 of their rebuilding effort and they have hired a new head coach, former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka. Here are three burning questions for the Rockets entering the season.

Will Alperen Sengun Seize Control of the Franchise’s Starting Center Spot?

Sengun was the whipping boy of the Stephen Silas era, routinely benched in fourth quarters and critiqued publicly for defensive struggles. Team management even sought to bring him off the bench to start the 2022-2023 season, in favor of journeyman Bruno Fernando. This past offseason, they chased free agent veteran big man Brook Lopez to fill the starting role, before getting left at the altar. Now they’re left again with Sengun as the de factor starter. Will he finally win over management? Unlike his predecessor, Udoka so far is giving the young big man a chance. Last week, during media availability, the Rockets head coach referred to Sengun as “one of our quarterbacks on offense.” And he certainly has been so far during the preseason, serving as a hub from the high post, facilitating for his teammates or looking for his own shot.