The Kevin Durant era in Houston has officially begun, and with it, championship expectations have landed in H-Town. But while Durant is the headline, the secret to the Rockets’ ultimate success might lie in the evolution of their 23-year-old center, Alperen Şengün. So much so, that NBA legend Carmelo Anthony has made a stunning prediction: Şengün “could be MVP.” Is this just preseason hype, or is there a real path for the Turkish big man to reach such elite heights?
1. The “Melo” Endorsement: Why the MVP Talk Isn’t Crazy
When a Hall of Famer like Carmelo Anthony speaks, people listen. His bold take on Şengün is built on a compelling basketball argument:
The Jokic Comparison: Anthony sees a “similar game to Jokic.” Like the Denver superstar, Şengün is an offensive hub whose elite passing and post scoring make him the central nervous system of the offense.
A New Experience for KD: As Melo pointed out, “KD never played with a big man that he could throw the ball into and the offense could be ran through the center.” This dynamic is uncharted territory for Durant and could unlock a devastating new layer to the Rockets’ attack.
Unstoppable Efficiency: The simple logic, “Sengun is going to score or get fouled,” highlights his fundamental, hard-to-stop value in the half-court.
2. The Perfect Symbiosis: How Durant and Şengün Elevate Each Other
This isn’t a zero-sum game where one star’s success hinders the other. Their skillsets are a match made in basketball heaven.
Durant’s Gravity for Şengün: With defenses terrified of Durant’s shooting, Şengün will see fewer double-teams and have more space to operate in the post and from the high elbow. He will be the “beneficiary of some clean open looks” and one-on-one matchups he can exploit.
Şengün’s Playmaking for Durant: As a gifted passer, Şengün can find Durant on backdoor cuts, spot-ups, and in the pick-and-pop game. He takes the playmaking burden off Durant, allowing the superstar to focus on what he does best: scoring efficiently.
3. Navigating Adversity: The VanVleet Void and Internal Growth
The path isn’t without its obstacles. The season-ending injury to Fred VanVleet is a “big blow,” stripping the team of its primary floor general and a key leader.
The Internal Solution: Without financial flexibility, the Rockets must rely on internal growth. This means:
Amen Thompson must make a significant leap as a primary ball-handler.
Reed Sheppard needs to prove his rookie struggles are behind him and that he can be a reliable backup.
Şengun’s Expanded Role: With VanVleet out, Şengün’s role as an offensive initiator and decision-maker becomes even more critical. He must solidify himself as that “consistent scoring threat” to keep the offense afloat.
The Houston Rockets are a fascinating experiment in superstar synergy. Kevin Durant provides the proven, elite scoring and clutch gene. Alperen Şengün offers the unique, system-driving versatility that legends like Carmelo Anthony believe can reach MVP levels. While the loss of VanVleet creates a real challenge, it also forces the Rockets’ young core to accelerate their development.
If everything clicks—if Şengün thrives as a Jokic-lite hub, if Thompson and Sheppard step up, and if Durant remains an ageless wonder—then the MVP talk for Şengün and the championship dreams for Houston won’t just be hype; they’ll be a very real, and very terrifying, reality for the rest of the league.