Insides On Ranking the Top 5 Rockets Ready to Step Up and Fill Boban’s “Free Chicken” Shoes!

With Boban moving on to play pro basketball in Türkiye, the NBA will be searching for a new “man of the people.”

Boban Marjanović: A Gentle Giant and Houston’s Heart

Boban Marjanović is not only a towering figure but also one of the kindest souls you’ll find. Throughout his career, not a single negative word has ever been spoken about him. His absence will surely be felt in Houston, and unfortunately, the Rockets won’t be able to honor him with a tribute video since he’s now playing overseas in Türkiye, the home of Alperen Şengün.

With Boban gone, there’s a crucial role to fill on the Houston Rockets: Who will bring home the “free chicken” for fans on the road?

Lucky for you, I’ve put together a list of the top five contenders to take over this important mission for all the free chicken fans in the NBA. Let’s dive in!

5. Jae’Sean Tate

Jae’Sean Tate makes the list because he’s a great guy who might just miss a free throw to help fans score some free chicken. He’s likely to be on the court late in games, showcasing his determination. While he could be a trade piece, as long as he wears a Rockets jersey, he’ll be aggressive and get to the line. His free-throw percentage stands at 66.7% last season and 70% for his career. For fans of opposing teams, seeing him at the line late in the game might just bring some hope for a free meal!

4. Tari Eason

Tari Eason is well-liked and active on social media, engaging with fans and showing his competitive spirit. The only concern about including him on this list is that he might not purposely miss free throws for the fans; he’s there to win! Despite shooting 75% from the line two seasons ago, he struggled last year with 63%. He’ll likely see meaningful minutes during critical games, making him a solid candidate for those craving some free chicken.

3. Cam Whitmore

With potential fourth-quarter minutes in tight games, Cam Whitmore’s development could position him as a key player for the Rockets. If all goes well, he’ll be on the court in clutch moments; otherwise, he could find himself back in the G-League. Last season, he shot just 67.9% from the free-throw line. While it’s uncertain whether he would miss on purpose for the cheers, the possibility is there!

2. Amen Thompson

Amen Thompson is expected to play a significant role in the Rockets’ lineup. His strong offensive and defensive abilities will make it hard to keep him off the court in key moments. However, his free-throw shooting percentage of 68.4% last season means he’s a candidate to miss a couple in clutch situations. Fans will be eagerly watching if free chicken is on the line!

1. Alperen Şengün

Alperen Şengün, affectionately known as Alpi, is loved for everything except his free-throw performance in pressure situations. With a free-throw percentage of 70%, he usually takes important shots, and I have high hopes he’ll improve this season. He’ll likely get numerous opportunities to shoot from the line during crucial moments, and if he’s up there, road fans might be in for a treat—especially if he misses back-to-back shots on purpose just for the fans!

Conclusion

Thanks for sticking with me through this! Training camp is just around the corner, and I’m excited to cover what should be a thrilling season for the Rockets. Here’s hoping free chicken isn’t the only thing that leaves fans cheering as the team looks to make a playoff return since 2020!