It goes without saying that two games into the season is never the time to panic. That’s especially true for the Houston Rockets, who have dropped both games in a young campaign. Both contests came down to the agonizing razor wire, though. The opener versus the championship Oklahoma City Thunder probably even qualifies as a classic. Moreover, there is one specific sign Rockets fans should feel encouraged by as they await the team’s first win.<\/p>\n
The play of All-Star center Alperen Sengun<\/a> was certainly a very encouraging sign after opening night. In fact, he signed his name to various (albeit slightly obscure) opening night records<\/a>. Sengun was fantastic against the Thunder<\/a>. He scored 39 points, going 50% from the field, including\u00a0 5-for-8 from three. He also netted 10 of 11 free throws. That was all as Houston’s primary facilitator, leading the team in assists against one of last season’s best defenses.<\/p>\n The close loss may have stung a little for Rockets fans, but the whole NBA fandom in general expected OKC to beat them. That it took a classic to do it was consolation enough. That Sengun looked like an (absurdly) early All-NBA candidate took it to another level.<\/p>\n