Europeans have extra adjustment
GALVESTON — As much as Rockets rookies Alperen Sengun and Usman Garuba will have to adjust to the NBA, that’s just the start. Both are also moving to a new country, Sengun from Turkey and Garuba from Spain. And they are doing it at just 19 years old. That has made Rockets coach Stephen Silas particularly determined to ease the transition.
“Very aware, very aware,” Silas said. “It’s daily conversations. Alpi came to my house for dinner. When we get back, Usman will come to my house for dinner. Just so they feel a sense of home, not necessarily being a job all the time. There’s communication. There’s group stuff. There’s a lot to it.
“Being 19, coming from a completely different country into the NBA, it’s hard enough as it is being a rookie in the NBA, adding the age and the cultural differences, it’s a big deal. I think about that quite a bit.”
Though Silas said he will touch base with his players each day, he will seek to balance how he reaches out to his European rookies beyond the usual coaching of players, even players so young.
“Not daily,” Silas said. “I’m not going to overwhelm them with like ‘Hey, buddy …’ But they need to know I’m there for them. I’m intentional about making sure I kind of touch all the guys. Those guys it’s very important.”
The Rockets also have two veterans that made similar jumps to the NBA from overseas, with Dante Exum becoming the fifth pick of the 2015 NBA draft out of high school in Australia when he was also just 19, and center Daniel
Theis making the move to the NBA in 2017 out of the German league.
“It’s important to have guys that have done it before and guys they can
lean on,” Silas said.
Sengun misses 2nd day in row
Sengun missed a second day of training camp with an illness Wednesday, a setback that given the times and their experience last season the Rockets preferred to view as something that could be much worse.
“It’s unfortunate,” Silas said. “Thankfully, it’s not COVID so, that’s a great thing. He’ll be back with us. It’s two days out of a season so it’s not really that big of a deal. (Assistant coach) Will Weaver is sending him video clips, keeping him abreast of what we’re putting in and what we’re doing. He’s a smart kid. He learns easily.”
The Rockets will, however, have to be cautious about Sengun’s conditioning when he does return to practice to be sure not to push too hard to make up for lost time.
“One thing we will have to be cognizant of is fitness as we go forward just because he hasn’t been doing much the last few days,” Silas said. “We’ve been doing a lot. His fitness is going to have to catch up to the rest of the guys. As far as the other stuff, it’ll be nice to see him out there when he’s able to be out there, but he’ll be fine.”
Sengun is the only Rockets player to have missed time.
“After two long, hard practices, we’re in a good spot,” Silas said.