The NBA we know and love came to life when the Basketball Association of America (founded in 1946) and the National Basketball League (founded in 1937) merged back in 1949. Since then, evolution has been the only constant in the NBA. What used to be a game played by ‘Plumber and Firemen’, with a measly wage of $4,000 per year, has transformed into one of the biggest sporting spectacles in modern times. Now, NBA players are some of the highest-paid professionals in the world. Recently, Boston Celtics’ star Jaylen Brown signed a five-year contract worth $304 million dollars.

Compensation isn’t the only thing that has changed in the NBA. The game of basketball has also evolved along the way. The brand of basketball during the NBA’s nascent stages was very slow-paced. However, the inclusion of the three-point line in 1979 and the introduction of the shot clock revolutionized the game. These changes made the NBA a better and more enjoyable product for the viewers. The popularity of the NBA skyrocketed in the 1990s due to Michael Jordan’s transcendent talents and shrewd management by NBA Commissioner David Stern. Finally, three-point shooting became a standard practice in the NBA, after the Warriors won the title in 2015.

The effect of the NBA’s constant evolution is most observable in the center position. Traditionally, big men were supposed to protect the rim and dominate the paint. However, in recent years, there has been a shift, with centers now serving as the offensive focal point of the team. They are even expected to be efficient from three-point range. The Denver Nuggets title-winning side is the prime example of this growing trend. Led by the brilliance of Nikola Jokic, could the NBA be on the precipice of another dimensional shift?

Changing times in the NBA

Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors are credited for the league’s transformation from isolation-heavy basketball to a more team-oriented basketball. Following their 2015 title triumph, the league adopted three-point shooting with open arms. This shift resulted in the rise of small-ball lineups, as the enhanced spacing due to efficient three-point shooting rendered the traditional center position nearly obsolete.

Skilled centers like Jokic, Embiid, and Porzingis soon replaced unskilled big men. These new-age centers are equally adept at shooting the ball, as they are dominating the paint. Talented young big men like Alepren Sengun, Chet Holmgren, and Victor Wembanyama have further accelerated this shift toward centers taking on more offensive responsibilities. Sengun, in particular, has pleasantly surprised many people by taking a leap into borderline All-Star territory.

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Many players and analysts were privy to his skills and talent, but this season he has added substance to his play. He currently leads the Houston Rockets in both points and rebounds, averaging 20.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. His stellar play has earned comparisons with 2x MVP, Nikola Jokic.

Striking similarities between Jokic and Sengun

The Houston Rockets drafted Alperen Sengun with the No.16 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Originally an after-thought to Houston’s acquisition of Jalen Green, Sengun quickly earned appreciation due to his playmaking skills. His selfless nature and adept playmaking drew comparisons to Jokic, leading many to dub him “Baby Jokic.”

Jokic even praised the 21-year-old in a press conference earlier this season. He said, “I think it is a good thing that they are playing a little bit more through him”. Jokic added further, “I think that is going to benefit the whole organization. He is a guy who is not selfish. He wants to play for the team and he wants to pass. The whole team is going to move when the ball is in his hands. He played really good today.”

Both their careers have followed a similar trajectory till now. In Jokic’s initial season, he averaged 10 points per game, progressing to 16.7 points in his second season. Sengun has mirrored this gradual improvement, starting with 9.6 points in his debut season and showcasing progress in his second season with 14.8 points per game.

However, Sengun has taken a massive leap this season, as he has become the offensive hub of a rejuvenated Houston team under the leadership of Ime Udoka. In 12 games, he has averaged an impressive 20.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. His stellar performances have led to murmurs of him potentially becoming an All-Star.

Will Sengun get the All-Star nod?

Alpi has started the season in fine form. But, his All-Star selection would depend on his ability to lead the Rockets to a playoff berth by the All-Star break. With just 12 games being played, the Rockets occupy the 8th spot on the table, having won just 6 games. However, Sengun has consistently performed at an All-Star level this season. He recently received widespread acclaim for his performance against LeBron, during which he scored by body-checking LeBron and successfully blocked LeBron’s drive in the subsequent play.

His improved defense should also work in his favor. Alpi averaged a defensive rating of 118.5 and had a negative net rating of 9 before the start of this season. He has improved tremendously in these metrics this season. He has averaged a defensive rating of 117.4 and has a positive net rating of 5.6 in 12 games.

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Sengun needs to deliver such performances with consistency. If he can, then he is basically a shoo-in to get the All-Star nod. It shouldn’t come as a shock to fans that Ime Udoka decided to hand Sengun the reins of the offense instead of Green. Over the past three seasons, Sengun has evolved into a more versatile and well-rounded player. With Udoka at the helm and Alpi orchestrating the offense, the Rockets have the potential to emerge as one of the most formidable teams in the league for years to come.

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