Jock Landale, Boban Marjanovic ready to provide guidance, competition for Rockets

“Offensively, he’s got it all. He didn’t need too much help, there,” Jock Landale says of Alperen Sengun. “I think where I can help is just pushing him, defensively.” #Rockets

For the Houston Rockets, third-year prospect Alperen Sengun is the clear starter at center entering the 2023-24 NBA season.

It’s not as if the team is otherwise devoid of depth at the NBA’s most critical interior position. In moves designed to provide guidance, competition and leadership, the Rockets signed 27-year-old Jock Landale away from the Phoenix Suns this offseason while re-signing 35-year-old big man Boban Marjanovic.

At Monday’s media day, held in advance of Tuesday’s opening of training camp, both Landale and Marjanovic took questions from reporters regarding their roles and expectations for the new season.

Landale sprained his ankle in international competition this offseason for his native Australia, but he expects to be mostly cleared entering camp — at which he will compete with Sengun in practices.

As for Marjanovic, his role is again expected to be more on the depth and leadership side. But within that context, he’s excited to have more veterans to assist in that endeavor, relative to last season.

From Monday, here’s what both big men had to say to reporters.