4.

One good story amid the misery of the Houston Rockets

Alperen Sengun is good -- now. Sengun is up to 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on
59% shooting on 2s. He's a threat in the post, mixing in more power with his finesse and
unconventional pivoty foot work. He often merits a double team -- unlocking his
passing, probably his best skill. Even his turnovers are down -- despite each of Sengun's
feet appearing to have its own independent nervous system.
The Rockets are a semi-functional offensive team with Sengun on the floor, and if you
watch Houston, you know that's a massive accomplishment. You see Sengun directing
traffic on both ends, trying to restore order to chaos -- cajoling cutters, picking which
side of the floor to run plays, calling out what the opposing offense might do. If the
Rockets wanted to win, they'd run more offense through him. You sense Sengun knows
this. Hell, players on other teams have said it publicly.

Pair him with more accomplished passers, and Sengun will feast in the pick-and-roll.
His weirdo push shot is a trademark -- Sengun's answer to Nikola Jokic's running floater
and Joel Embiid's 13-foot jumpers: