HOUSTON – The arrival of Kevin Durant in Houston was the seismic event that reshaped the NBA landscape, catapulting the Rockets into the conversation as an offensive juggernaut. But while Durant provides the celestial firepower, it is the earthly, all-around dominance of center Alperen Şengün that is truly powering the Rockets’ ascent. With a statistical output and on-court impact that rivals any player in the league, the 22-year-old is not just having the best season of his career—he is quietly building a compelling, and perhaps undeniable, case for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award.
Houston Rockets v Boston Celtics
1. The Statistical Symphony: A Do-It-All Force
Şengün’s numbers through the first eight games are not just All-Star caliber; they are historic and wildly versatile. He is averaging:
22.8 points
9.8 rebounds
7.4 assists
1.5 steals
0.9 blocks
Most remarkably, he has added a reliable three-point shot to his arsenal, shooting 37% from deep. This stat line places him in rarefied air, making him one of the most complete and multifaceted offensive hubs in the entire league. He is the team’s clear second scorer behind Durant while simultaneously acting as its primary playmaker—a dual role few big men in history have successfully shouldered.
2. Beyond the Box Score: Answering the Call of Necessity
This leap isn’t accidental; it’s a direct response to the team’s needs. With floor general Fred VanVleet lost for the season, the Rockets needed a primary facilitator. Şengün has answered that call, orchestrating the offense from the high post with a vision and passing flair that draws comparisons to the game’s great big-man facilitators.
Last season, his defensive improvement keyed the Rockets’ rise. This season, his offensive evolution is doing the same. He has transformed from a low-block specialist into the engine of the entire offense, a player who can beat you with a scoring move, a pinpoint pass, or by stretching the floor.
3. The MVP Pathway: Team Success is the Final Key
Any legitimate MVP candidacy is built on a foundation of team success. For Şengün to enter that conversation, the Rockets must remain among the Western Conference’s elite. Their 5-3 start shows both their immense potential and the room for growth.
If Houston can secure a top-two seed in the brutal Western Conference, and Şengün continues to be their most impactful player—the central figure who makes their offense hum—then his case will become impossible to ignore. He would be the best player on one of the best teams, with a unique and stat-stuffing profile that captures the imagination.
Kevin Durant may be the headline, but Alperen Şengün is the heartbeat of the Houston Rockets. His breathtaking development into a three-level scorer, elite passer, and defensive anchor has given the team a unique identity. While the MVP talk is still early, its mere existence is a testament to his phenomenal play. The league has been put on notice: the Rockets have a superstar in the making, and his name is Alperen Şengün.